Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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tosh — inked with the local school last recruiting cycle, but Notre Dame was able to beat out the ACC school in large part because of what it offers student- athletes in the classroom. "Even after football, if you get a de- gree from Notre Dame you're set," Mc- Intosh said. "I really like that side of it." While the 5-10, 175-pound McIntosh — the No. 14 all-purpose back in the nation according to Rivals — isn't a big ball carrier, Blue & Gold Illustrated football analyst Bryan Driskell said he fits the profile for what Notre Dame is looking to do on offense. "McIntosh has a lot of the tools you look for in a spread running back," Driskell said. "He has impressive play- ing speed, which allows him to get to the edge and to outrun defenders on the second level. He has good vision, makes decisive cuts behind the line and shows good patience on perimeter runs. "He balances that with the instincts to know when to take the edge. He shows quick feet and strong agility, and he uses those traits well. He will show patience when he needs to and then quickly plant through openings." Still, while he has been productive every year at Cardinal Gibbons High, there is one knock on him. "He lacks the girth to be an every- down running back, possessing a thin frame," Driskell said. But that's where Jones comes into play. Notre Dame figures to use Jones on some downs, and McIntosh on the oth- ers. McIntosh was a Sun Sentinel Class 5A-4A-3A-2A first-team offense selec- tion last season for Broward County, running for 834 yards and 12 touch- downs and catching 41 passes for 386 yards and two scores. He is the fifth prospect from Florida to pledge to the Irish this cycle joining Jones, four-star offensive guard Parker Boudreaux, three-star safety Spencer Perry and three-star wide receiver Kevin Stepherson. Notre Dame hasn't signed five or more prospects from the Sunshine State in the same cycle since 1990. ✦ FILM ANALYSIS Strengths The first traits that stand out about Deon McIntosh are his speed and ability to get to the corner … Once he gets to the second level he is a legit threat to score … Runs with good pad level and better than leg drive than one would expect of an undersized back … A good downhill runner that is a one-cut runner, which is perfect for Notre Dame's zone and power schemes … Catches the ball well and has the ability to play some in the slot … With his athleticism and toughness, could even transition to cornerback should that need arise down the road. Areas For Improvement Does not yet have the body to be an every down back … Must develop his upper body to take more punishment and build up his lower body in order to deliver some … At times, gets too choppy with his feet, which slows down his cutting ability. — Bryan Driskell