Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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32 MARCH 2017 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2017 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY LOU SOMOGYI T ight End U. should be back in business at Notre Dame. Based on numerous events this winter, including National Signing Day Feb. 1, it will be a sur- prise if it's not. The only two Notre Dame recruits ranked among Rivals' top 100 play- ers nationally are both tight ends: Cypress, Texas, native Brock Wright at No. 44 and Arlington Heights, Ill., product Cole Kmet at No. 95. Meanwhile, in 247Sports' 2017 composite rankings — which com- bines all the major recruiting services — the 6-5, 238-pound Wright and 6-6, 240-pound Kmet are two of the top three ranked players in the Fighting Irish class, with Wright at No. 67 and Kmet No. 84. In between was offen- sive line recruit Robert Hainsey (No. 81). The trio are the sole members in the top 100 to sign with Notre Dame. Wright's stock continued to rise when he had an outstanding week of practice at the Under Armour All- American Game from Dec. 28-31 in Orlando, Fla., prompting former All-Pro cornerback Deion Sanders, a coach in the all-star game, to tweet that while he didn't know much about Wright's high school career, "he will play on Sunday 1 day." Likewise, Kmet made similar strong impressions at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio a week later, with East coach Mike Kir- shner lauding the youngster's skills as a receiver and blocker. "You've got to be a hybrid guy … sometimes become a fullback, some- times become a slot," Kirshner said. "His length and strength to be able to get himself away from man coverage is impressive." Based on their rankings coming out of high school, the tight end duo is the best signed by Notre Dame in the age of Internet rankings the past 20 years — although it will be difficult to top in pass catching production the 2003 tandem of first-round pick Greg Olsen and second-round selec- tion John Carlson. However, Olsen never suited up for Notre Dame in a game, transferring to Miami about two weeks into training camp before going on to a stellar NFL career. The timing was right for such a bonanza haul at the position this year because 2016 marked only the third time since the turn of the century that Notre Dame did not sign a tight end. The others were 2012 and 2004. TIGHT END RENAISSANCE In addition to signing Wright and Kmet, several other factors could make tight end one of the stronger areas on the team, if not the best, in years to come. One is the return of sophomore Alizé Jones. As a 2015 freshman, Jones snared 13 passes for 190 yards YEAR OF THE TIGHT END The signing of Brock Wright and Cole Kmet helps set up a strong future at the position Wright, who is listed as the nation's No. 44 overall prospect, is Notre Dame's highest-rated signee in the 2017 class. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM