Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Commitment Profile Doug Randolph Four-Star Linebacker Joins New Family At Notre Dame By Jason Sapp Woodberry Forest (Va.) outside linebacker Doug Randolph offered his commitment to Stanford, a program known for its academic prestige, nearly a year ago with strong encouragement from his mother, Renita. While remaining committed to the Cardinal through much of the process, he felt it was only fair to be open to other programs just in case something better came along. One of the schools that benefitted from his approach was Notre Dame, and the four-star prospect attended Notre Dame’s junior day on March 24. Following his rave reviews about the trip, Randolph decided to put a muzzle on the recruiting process and claimed he was “solid” in his choice to attend Stanford. However, he kept the recruiting process open behind the scenes. He opted to decommit from Stanford on Sept. 5, his birthday, and the schools that immediately shot into the picture were nearby Virginia and Notre Dame, the school Randolph’s coach, Clint Alexander, said was his standout’s leader after the trip to South Bend. “The distance was the biggest factor in that decision,” Alexander shared of his player’s decision to decommit from the Cardinal. “He’s very tight with his family, and they were even considering moving their practices [family of doctors, with the mother being a dentist] out West.” Randolph, who accepted an invitation to play in the 2013 U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio the same week as his decommitment, decided to make his new decision known on Sept. 7 — and Notre Dame was the victor in the end. “I just think Notre Dame is a better fit for my family first and foremost,” the 6-3, 236-pound player said. “It is the best situation for me personally, on and off the field, and would place me in the best situation for my future.” In addition to Randolph’s parents being in the medical field, his older brother, David Richmond, who he notes as being his best friend, and his sister, Jessica, are also doctors. Despite his family background, he’ll be going in a different direction on his career path, and Notre Dame offered a great situation for his intended major. “They have guided me to this decision very well,” Randolph said of his family, noting he’ll be studying business. “I like the football history and tradition. I also like the way they take care of and embrace their players not only now but in their future lives after Notre Dame. The business school is top notch and I feel comfortable with the coaching staff.” The nation’s No. 18 outside linebacker and No. 14 player in Virginia according to 247Sports already has a couple connections to the program through Irish freshman linebacker C.J. Prosise and 2014 linebacker commit Greer Martini. Jamie Oakes of Wahoos247 (247Sports Virginia affiliate) feels Randolph will be yet another good candidate for the Irish. “Randolph is the perfect fit for outside linebacker in the 3-4 defense,” he said. “He has the strength and leverage needed to take on offensive tackles, and the athleticism to play in space. The four-star backer isn’t known for his speed but shows quickness within the box and is at his best when rushing the quarterback up the field. “As a favorite coach once told me — and I feel it’s fitting for Randolph — he won’t get his coach fired on or off the field.” Alexander couldn’t help but pull for the Irish with Woodberry Forest becoming a pipeline for the program and the Collegiate School (Richmond, Va.) transfer is just another in that line that will be an example to others in the future. “Notre Dame is getting an explosive, high-energy linebacker/defensive end that is an absolute playmaker,” the coach said. “Great kid, great character and wonderful family. He’s a special kind of kid that will certainly fit in well at Notre Dame. “On the field he’s just an explosive machine. … I can’t say enough good things about him. He has unbelievable hands, he’s real physical and he has a fast-twitch style of play with non-stop effort for four quarters.” It’s evident how important family is to Randolph, and what he was excited about the most in making a new decision just hours before his 2012 senior season kicked off was joining his new one — Notre Dame. Film Analysis Strengths You normally don’t see projected outside linebacker/defensive ends lining up at wide receiver, but Randolph is capable of doing so due to his athletic ability … He’s lean with a good frame for the hybrid role in the 3-4 defensive scheme … Is quick on his feet laterally and in reacting to the play, has good get-off on the line of scrimmage and uses hands well in his pass rush … Possesses field awareness to drop off into coverage and will be able to make something happen when he gets the ball in his hands. Areas To Improve Will work on striking with more force when making a play, but secures the tackle well by breaking down in open-field situations and wrapping up the ball carrier … Absorbs contact on the line at times, but the strength is there to become the aggressor … Currently plays with his hand on the ground as a defensive end, so adjustments will be made to become more accustom to playing out of the two-point and getting used to dropping in some passing situations versus rushing the passer … Increased hip flexibility will help with that transition. — Jason Sapp