2016 RECRUITING ISSUE
BY ANDREW IVINS
When Chase Claypool
first emerged on the na-
tional recruiting scene the
spring before his senior sea-
son, he became one of the
biggest question marks on
the offseason camp circuit.
Was the 6-4, 215-pound
Abbotsford (British Co-
lumbia) Secondary School
standout a wide receiver
or safety at the next level?
Could he grow into an out-
side linebacker, or even line
up at defensive end one day
and rush the quarterback?
The scenarios continued
to play out in the heads of
both recruitniks and col-
lege coaches across the
country. While coaching
staffs continued to argue
over Claypool's position,
Notre Dame took a unique
approach with the recruit-
ment. The Irish realized
early in the process that
they wanted Claypool
because of his potential,
and they were going to do
whatever it took to get the
Canadian to South Bend,
even if that meant sending
associate head coach Mike
Denbrock across the border
multiple times to see him.
Canadian Chase Claypool
Has Plenty Of Potential
Claypool, Rivals' No. 22 wide receiver in the class of 2016, picked
Notre Dame over fellow finalists Michigan, Oregon and Rutgers.
PHOTO BY ANDREW IVINS
