said that they think I can be a great
player and that I have tons of po-
tential. They said they see me as an
outside linebacker, but things could
obviously change. I'm going in there
with an open mind.
"I have a ton of confidence in the
staff," he added. "I know that they
want the best for me."
While it might sound confusing for
the Irish to tell Werner, who is ranked
by Rivals as the nation's No. 19 out-
side linebacker, that they don't have
a clear-cut role for him, it plays into
head coach Brian Kelly's mentality
when it comes to recruiting.
Kelly likes to evaluate prospects
into three separate categories: big
skill, power and skill. Werner, who
was named to the Indiana Football
Coaches Association Class 6A (larg-
est schools) All-State Junior team as a
defensive back, would be viewed as
a big skill prospect given his athletic
ability. He could eventually play a
role like current Notre Dame safety
Drue Tranquill, who has doubled as
a run-support safety at times.
"Werner actually played corner-
back for Cathedral," Rivals Midwest
recruiting analyst Josh Helmholdt
said. "But his future is at linebacker
where he has great range and plays
sideline to sideline."
That natural athletic ability likely
comes from his family. Werner's fa-
ther, Greg, had a brief stint in the
NFL with the New York Giants and
his brother, Dan, is currently a tight
end at Harvard.
"When I started picking up offers
my parents wanted academics, and
once they got to Notre Dame they
just saw all of that," Werner said. ✦
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