Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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ten knocked for his lack of ideal size, but the Oak Ridge standout is an out- standing linebacker. He has excellent short-area quickness and delivers pun- ishment when he arrives at the ball carrier. He also thrives in coverage. 10. DONTÉ VAUGHN, CB Memphis (Tenn.) Whitehaven Notre Dame wanted to land a cor- nerback with size, and Vaughn cer- tainly has that at 6-3 and 195 pounds — but he brings talent to the table as well. He is a quality athlete with strong agility and loose hips. He is an instinctive player with sound tech- nique, using his length as a weapon. 11. KEVIN STEPHERSON, WR Jacksonville (Fla.) First Coast The Irish staff is excited about what Stepherson brings to the game. He has a similar build to Will Fuller, and like the former Irish standout his best at- tribute is his game-breaking speed. He is more than just speed, showing off strong hands and ball skills as a prep player. 12. TROY PRIDE JR., CB Greer (S.C.) High One of the fastest risers in the 2016 class was Pride, who began the year as a three-star recruit but shot up the rankings. Notre Dame beat national runner up Clemson to land him. He is arguably the fastest player in the class and has the tools to excel in man coverage. 13. TONY JONES JR., RB Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy For the first time in Kelly's tenure at Notre Dame, the Irish were able to land a top runner in back-to-back cla sses thanks to the addition of Jones to go along with Josh Adams and Dex- ter Williams a season ago. Jones is a power back with impressive feet and vision. 14. KHALID KAREEM, DE Farmington Hills (Mich.) Harrison Kareem is the ideal fit for the strongside end position in the Notre Dame defense. He combines power with quality athleticism and instincts. His game is similar to that of current starter Isaac Rochell, but he is a more natural pass rusher — something the defense desperately needs. 15. JULIAN LOVE, CB LaGrange Park (Ill.) Nazareth Academy One of the most overlooked mem- bers of the class is Love, a talented and versatile athlete that led Nazareth Academy to back-to-back state cham- Farmington Hills (Mich.) Harrison defensive end Khalid Kareem will bring some much-needed pass- rushing skills to the Irish defense. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM