Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Irish Among Top Four For Arizona Cornerback Chandler (Ariz.) Hamilton cornerback Cole Luke had learned plenty about Notre Dame’s program from his head coach, former Irish quarterback Steve Belles (1986-89), and he was looking forward to the opportunity to see it up close and personal. Luke made a three-day trip to South Bend in June with Belles, who returned to his alma mater for the annual Fantasy Football Camp, where former players help give fans the experience of suiting up for the Irish. “Basically everything stood out about my visit,” the 6-0, 170-pound four-star recruit said. “Just the fact that everyone is well-rounded as a family.” Other former players such as Shane Walton (1999-2001) and Gerome Sapp (1999-2002), both defensive backs, were present at the event, and while Luke had an opportunity to gain some knowledge about the Irish from them, it was more about seeing how he fit with the current players. “I had a great time being around them,” he said. “The main message I got was that Notre Dame isn’t a four-year choice. It’s a 40-year choice. … My experience overall was great.” With two cornerbacks in the 2013 recruiting haul in Devin Butler of Washington, D.C., and Rashad Kinlaw of Absecon, N.J., the coaching staff is remaining diligent in its efforts to land another, and Luke is seen as a strong candidate to fill that slot. “[Irish head] Coach [Brian] Kelly and [safeties] Coach [Bob] Elliot said they need a lock-down corner and that’s where I fit,” he said. “They’re very great guys and very smart, too. “The feeling is mutual. I could see myself there, but I still have to take a few more visits and see how I feel at those places, too.” Luke — who recorded 63 tackles, 12 passes broken up and three interceptions (all of which he returned for scores) in his junior campaign — hasn’t taken any other visits yet since the June 5 trip to Notre Dame, but he has a handle on what he’ll be looking for when he visits other campuses. “Besides where the team stands football-wise and academically, it will come down to how comfortable I am,” Luke said. The nation’s No. 61 overall player has four programs that have emerged as his top schools entering his senior season — Notre Dame, Texas, Oklahoma and USC. The Semper Fi All-American Bowl selection has official visits set to Notre Dame on Sept. 22 when the Irish host Michigan and Texas on Oct. 6 when the Longhorns face West Virginia, and he plans on using trips to all four schools before making a decision. — Jason Sapp Cole Luke 4 stars Hamilton High School Chandler Ariz. Position: Cornerback Ht.: 6-0 · Wt.: 170 40-yard dash: 4.5 247Sports Ranking: No. 2 prospect in Arizona, No. 8 cornerback nationally and the country’s No. 61 overall player Notre Dame Is A Visit Destination For California Speedster Sherman Oaks (Calif.) Notre Dame running back Khalfani Muhammad can’t help but hear about the Irish considering his high school carries the same name as the university, and former Irish players and current Kansas fifth-year seniors quarterback Dayne Crist and linebacker Anthony McDonald graduated from his high school in 2008. With offers from Arkansas, Cal, Oregon State, Purdue, UCLA, Washington and others, Muhammad added one from the Irish over the summer months, and the scholarship tender had an impact on his recruitment. “I love the tradition of Notre Dame and the style of football,” the 5-8, 174-pound three-star recruit said. While the popular belief was he would quickly jump at the Irish offer and join the class, he wasn’t necessarily ready to make decision with his focus on his track season. The move by the coaching staff did, however, assure that he’d get to campus. “Notre Dame is one school I know I want to see for sure,” Muhammad added. “I just need to see them for myself so I can see if it’s a good fit for me.” The Irish have since added a verbal commitment from Jamel James of Katy, Texas, but even though there had been only one spot designated for a running back in 2013, Muhammad remains an option due to his ability to fit into the running back/slot receiver hybrid role coached by recruiting coordinator Tony Alford. Muhammad — who made a trip overseas during Labor Day weekend to play in the Global Ireland Football Tournament against Chandler (Ariz.) Hamilton, which features fellow Irish target cornerback Cole Luke — has shifted his focus from track to football and with that comes more of an emphasis on recruiting. “I’m going to start working on the recruiting process a little more now,” he said. “I haven’t really been dealing with any of it, and now that track is done I can focus a little more. I want to see who else offers, and I’ll try to decide after my season is over.” One of the fastest football players in the nation, he took home California state titles in the 100 meters (10.52 seconds), 200 meters (21.15) and 4x100-meter relay (41.13), and wrapped up his season by sprinting in Barcelona, Spain, in the World Junior Championships in July. Muhammad plans on being a dual-sport athlete at the collegiate level. While the Bruins and Huskies look to be the main competition, the Irish are squarely in the mix due to the continued interest and plans for getting to South Bend for an official visit. — Jason Sapp Khalfani Muhammad 3 stars Notre Dame High School Sherman Oaks, Calif. Position: Running Back Ht.: 5-8 · Wt.: 174 40-yard dash: 4.4 247Sports Ranking: No. 48 recruit in California and the No. 15 all-purpose running back in the land