Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/79478
FOOTBALL RECRUITING Junior Day Success BY JASON SAPP each year since the beginning of its tenure, the program went back to the format of having a smaller event first, with more of a focused group, fol- lowed by entertaining a larger group of prospects. The smaller junior day allowed the W hile the current regime has had one larger junior recruiting event I can compete right away," Isaac said. "I'm confident in what I can do and looking forward to a school just giving me that opportunity to compete. "They said they're only taking one "It's a situation at Notre Dame that running back in my class. I don't feel any pressure about the situation, though." Overall, the trip turned out to be a coaches to provide more personal- ized attention to the prospects, give an in-depth look at the program and emphasize the importance of being part of the recruiting haul. The larger event brings in a variety of recruits ranging from commits to offered players to a list of prospects with interest that the coaches would like to see in person. Notre Dame signed three recruits from its junior day in 2011 on Feb. 26, with safety Nicky Baratti, long snap- per Scott Daly and offensive lineman Mark Harrell all being set for a June arrival in South Bend. This year's junior day list was as Joliet Catholic standout Ty Isaac is Notre Dame's prime target for the one running back they are looking to sign this year. Isaac said Notre Dame is one of his top schools. prospects that were in town for Notre Dame's junior day on March 3. RB TY ISAAC Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Penn State, Ten- nessee, USC, Wisconsin and others. 247SPORTS RANKING: Four-star prospect, 44 APRIL 2012 and 42 touchdowns on 203 attempts … Made 16 catches for 360 yards and seven scores … Returned both a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown. OFFERS: Auburn, Clemson, Georgia, 6-2, 215 • JOLIET, ILL./JOLIET CATHOLIC JUNIOR NUMBERS: Rushed for 2,629 yards high as six prospects, but one of the recruits — offensive tackle Evan Lisle of Dayton, Ohio — opted to commit to Ohio State shortly after receiving an Irish offer on Feb. 26, and another — offensive tackle Hunter Bivin of Owensboro (Ky.) Apollo — had a bas- ketball conflict after hitting a game- winning shot in the opening round of the state playoffs to clinch a 52-51 victory. Bivin did reschedule the trip for the larger junior day on March 24. Here's a breakdown of the four the campus has to offer, so his trip back to South Bend was more about having some of his questions an- swered, particularly where he fits in after the shuffled staff that has former safeties coach Chuck Martin as the of- fensive coordinator and former wide receivers mentor Tony Alford as the running backs/slot receivers coach. "Coach Martin told me about some RECAP: Isaac had already seen what of the things he wants to do," he said. "He showed me how they would use me. Coach Alford talked about what he'll be doing as a position coach and the relationship he has with the play- ers. A way I can look at the situation with Coach Alford having both run- ning backs and slot receivers is a way to get some extra touches working both positions, and that's a plus for Notre Dame." He also appreciated getting an op- portunity to build his relationship with Irish head coach Brian Kelly. "I like him and the whole staff up the top player in Illinois, the No. 4 run- ning back in the land and the No. 28 overall recruit nationally. there a lot," Isaac said. "I like a few other staffs, but there are some I'm more comfortable around, and Notre Dame is in that group." He'll be looking at the depth chart success. "I left with a little more than I ex- pected, which is a good thing," Isaac said. "I know when I come out with a top three or five schools, Notre Dame will be in there." THE SKINNY: Isaac attended the Michi- PHOTO COURTESY 247SPORTS gan State and USC games at Notre Dame in 2011, and he'll likely get to campus on other occasions as well. There are ties to Joliet Catholic for the Irish through former Notre Dame linebacker and captain Mike Goolsby (2000-05), and Notre Dame is a pro- gram Isaac says will remain in the hunt until the very end. Michigan is the program to watch, and a late- March visit to USC could also have the Trojans serve as competition for his pledge. He plans on narrowing down his list after the trip to California. WR KEEON JOHNSON for 795 yards and nine touchdowns. OFFERS: Duke, North Carolina, North 6-3, 190 • KANNAPOLIS, N.C./A.L. BROWN JUNIOR NUMBERS: Reeled in 39 catches Carolina State, Notre Dame, Virginia, Wake Forest and others. 247SPORTS RANKING: Three-star recruit, the No. 21 player in North Carolina and the country's No. 72 wide receiver. RECAP: Johnson had heard about all the sites on Notre Dame's cam- pus from his recruiter, defensive line coach Mike Elston, and was ready to see things for himself. He traveled to campus with his parents and grand- mother, and wasn't disappointed. "It was really nice," he said. "I talked to all of the coaching staff. The personal tour was great, and I got to see all the monuments. I learned about all the historical events on campus." Learning more about how the Irish with the programs that he's consid- ering, which also works in Notre Dame's favor. envision using him was another im- portant part of his trip. "We talked about the scheme, and I would be the X or the W — the outside BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED