Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/750885
44 NOV. 21, 2016 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED FOOTBALL RECRUITING BY COREY BODDEN AND DAVID MCKINNEY N otre Dame is looking to add at least one offensive lineman to the talented trio of four-star Robert Hainsey of Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy, four-star Joshua Lugg of Wexford (Pa.) North Allegheny and three-star Dillan Gibbons of Clearwa- ter (Fla.) Central Catholic. One of the top targets left is Jack- son (Tenn.) University School four- star Trey Smith. Rivals rates the 6-5, 305-pound Smith as the No. 5 player in the Volunteer State, and the No. 14 offensive tackle and No. 91 overall prospect nationally. ESPN sees Smith much differently, ranking him as the No. 1 overall player in the country. It is clear Smith is one of the top of- fensive tackles, which is why he is be- ing recruited heavily by the Irish and offensive line coach Harry Hiestand. Smith has previously told Blue & Gold Illustrated he thinks Hiestand is the best offensive line coach in the country. "We have a great relationship," Smith stated. "We sort of understand each other. He knows the goals I want to accomplish, and he knows he can take me there easily." This won't be the first time in South Bend for Smith, who took a visit ear- lier this spring. Getting Smith back on campus is huge for the Irish and their chances to land the talented senior. CONFIRMED VISITORS FOR THE VIRGINIA TECH GAME TREY SMITH — OFFICIAL VISIT (CLASS OF 2017) OFFENSIVE TACKLE • JACKSON (TENN.) UNIVERSITY SCHOOL Rivals Rankings: Four-star talent, and No. 14 of- fensive tackle and No. 91 overall player nationally. The Skinny: So far, Smith has taken two official visits — one to Ole Miss Oct. 1 and the other to Alabama Nov. 12. He also was in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Oct. 22 for an unofficial visit when the Tide hosted Texas A&M. His six finalists are Notre Dame, Ten- nessee, Alabama, Ole Miss, Clemson and Ohio State. Smith has taken notice of the NFL Draft buzz sur- rounding Hiestand products Mike McGlinchey and Quenton Nelson. "Those guys are special players," Smith said. " The things they've done to make themselves better proves that Hiestand is a great coach. If you put in the work and work your butt off every day, you'll be good." As it stands, Tennessee is the perceived leader to land the elite talent, but Notre Dame is close behind and has a chance to make a great impres- sion while he is on campus. Alabama is also right there with the Irish. PJ MUSTIPHER — UNOFFICIAL VISIT (2018) DEFENSIVE TACKLE • OWINGS MILLS (MD.) MCDONOGH Rivals Rankings: Four-star talent, and No. 4 de- fensive tackle and No. 90 overall player in the country. The Skinny: Mustipher is the brother of cur- rent Notre Dame center Sam Mustipher and is obviously familiar with the Irish. The visit will be Mustipher's fourth trip to South Bend since Sep- tember of last year. The Irish offered Mustipher in April, joining an impressive list that includes Alabama, Michigan, Ohio State and Tennessee. He has visited Maryland twice this season, along with Tennessee, Penn State and Ohio State. ISAIAH MULLENS — UNOFFICIAL VISIT (2018) DEFENSIVE END • CANAL WINCHESTER (OHIO) HARVEST PREP Rivals Rankings: Three-star talent, No. 13 player in Ohio and No. 13 strongside defensive end in the nation. The Skinny: Mullens, a 6-6, 260-pound defensive end, is a new target for the Irish. His early offer list includes in-state schools Toledo, Miami (Ohio) and Youngstown State. This will be Mullens' first time in South Bend. According to Rivals Midwest recruiting analyst Josh Helmholdt, who covered the Best of the Mid- west Combine in February, Mullens tested well during the event and looks the part physically, but is raw from a technique standpoint. The three-star could well be an offer candidate down the road. EXPECTED VISITOR L'CHRISTIAN SMITH — UNOFFICIAL VISIT (2018) DEFENSIVE END • HUBER HEIGHTS (OHIO) WAYNE Rivals Rankings: Four-star talent, and No. 1 ath- lete and No. 33 overall player nationally. The Skinny: Smith, who goes by the nickname "Blue," is one of the most talented players in his class. The 6-5, 215-pound Smith is a two-sport star who also plays basketball for Wayne and is con- sidered a Division I prospect on the hardwood. He already holds offers from Notre Dame, Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State and Tennes- see, among others, on the gridiron. The junior released an ambitious visit list over the summer, including 10 stops from the start of September throughout the end of November, with Notre Dame being one of the planned trips. He has made a few of the planned visits. With Wayne currently in the middle of the state playoffs, Smith may change his trip plans, but he is "very interested" in the Notre Dame program and is looking to make the trip if possible. ✦ Four-Star Offensive Tackle Headlines Virginia Tech Visitors Jackson (Tenn.) University School standout Trey Smith, the No. 1 overall player in the 2017 ESPN300, is the most important visitor scheduled to be in South Bend for the home finale against Virginia Tech. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM