Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Washington Linebacker Finds Home Away From Home BY WES MORGAN P to recruits choosing the Midwest over more desirable locales. Danny Mattingly, a 6-4, lenty of people still feel that Notre Dame faces a difficult challenge when it comes COMMITMENT PROFILE DANNY MATTINGLY 215-pounder from Mead High School in Spokane, Wash., couldn't disagree more. There's always a chance, however, the class of 2013 Notre Dame com- mit looked at South Bend through gold-colored glasses. "It's a ways away, but I think it's the best place for me," said the three-star player and No. 36 outside linebacker nationally ac- cording to 247Sports. "I think it's gorgeous in Indiana. It's actually a lot like Spokane. It's similar weather. It gets a little hot- ter and a little colder in Indiana, but other than that, it's almost the exact same. "The people are the same, too. enters the 2012 season ranked No. 2 in Divi- sion 4A behind defending state champion Skyline (which knocked Mead out of the playoffs in the first round last fall). Several college programs offered Mat- tingly a scholarship to play tight end. The Fighting Irish and head coach Brian Kelly, meanwhile, saw him as a good fit at line- backer in their 3-4 scheme. The opportunity to play tight end else- where was the only thing that clouded Mat- tingly's desire to play for the Irish. But once Notre Dame offered, and he was able to visit campus for the first time on June 26, it was a done deal. The play- maker with 4.70-second speed in the 40-yard dash embraced a future on de- fense and verbally commit- ted the same day. "Once I got there, it just I went down to Atlanta and that was a lot different. I went down to a camp, and I don't know how I'd be able to handle it down there. I love the South Bend area and it would be a great place to call home." Mattingly, the No. 5 overall prospect in the state of Washington according to 247Sports, is a two-way star at Mead, which 247Sports lists Mattingly as the No. 5 prospect in the state of Washington and the No. 36 out- side linebacker nationally. PHOTO COURTESY 247SPORTS go there. I've always been a huge Notre Dame fan. Being there, I was like, 'Man, all my dreams could come true if I decided to go here.' It was pretty sweet. It was a great feeling when I showed up on campus." Even better than catching touchdown made it clear to me that it was going to be my school," said Mattingly, who regis- tered 73 tackles, 10 sacks, five interceptions and three blocked punts as a junior. "I've always wanted to passes. AUGUST 2012 72