Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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76 PRESEASON 2017 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED BY COREY BODDEN Notre Dame continued its hot sum- mer on the recruiting trail, landing one of its top overall targets in Coco- nut Creek (Fla.) North Broward prod- uct Kevin Austin on Aug. 11. The talented pass catcher publicly announced his commitment to the Irish that afternoon, but let the coach- ing staff know on the previous day. Duke, Miami (Fla.) and Tennessee were the other programs in consid- eration. "It was the overall package with football and academics," Austin told Blue & Gold Illustrated when asked why he chose Notre Dame. "It was the best of both of worlds. Talking with my family and coaches, we saw Notre Dame as the best fit for me. "It was a difficult recruiting pro- cess. All four schools are really great at both football and academics. I feel I can excel at Notre Dame and can pic- ture myself in a Notre Dame uniform and walking the halls of the univer- sity. That's what helped me decide that it was the right place for me." Austin planned to make his deci- sion sooner than August, but choos- ing between the quartet proved more challenging than he anticipated. "It was pretty close," he said. "I wrestled with it for a couple of months. I was expecting to do it a lot sooner, but because all four are great I had to really research and con- sider certain things and talk to certain people. Notre Dame just seemed to answer all of my questions." Head coach Brian Kelly, offensive coordinator Chip Long, wide receiv- ers coach Del Alexander and running backs coach Autry Denson all pitched in during the 6-3, 185-pounder's re- cruitment. Austin's talks with Kelly were especially beneficial. "The week before [his pledge], talking to Coach Kelly really put our point of view in sight of what we were reaching for," Austin explained. "He really talked to my mother and me about some great things we could ac- complish if we were to go. "He was involved all the way through since I went on the visit. To- ward the end, whenever he got the chance to talk to me or my dad, he'd talk to us. It was a great feeling." Notre Dame now has commitments from a talented one-two punch at wide receiver with Austin and Gurnee (Ill.) Warren Township talent Micah Jones. The two grew close over the course of Austin's recruitment. Austin also heard from Gibsonia (Pa.) Pine- Richland quarterback Phil Jurkovec and several others. "We have a really good relation- ship," Austin said of Jones. "I talked to him for the longest time. "Phil was just getting in contact with me and saying how we could be a great team together with him throw- ing the ball to me." Austin is still contemplating the possibility of taking official visits this fall to other programs. He will be talk- ing to those close with him to decide the best option moving forward. "I'm still deciding," he said. "I'm talking it over with my coaches and my family on what that decision should be. "I'm still reconsidering it in my mind. I want to stay loyal to Notre Dame. This is one of the biggest deci- sions of my life so far. "I want to make sure it is the best decision for me. I really want to go to Notre Dame. Due to this being my first major decision, I just want to make sure." Last year as a junior, Austin proved to be a highly productive player. He hauled in 41 passes for 1,021 yards and 13 touchdowns, and added an- other 454 yards and six scores on the ground. Austin's commitment gave Notre Dame two wide receivers in the Ri- vals250, with Austin ranking as the No. 13 wideout and No. 69 overall prospect nationally, while Jones is listed as the No. 172 overall recruit and second-best player in Illinois. ✦ FILM ANALYSIS Strengths Kevin Austin has excellent size and knows how to use his strength and length as a weapon … Shows impressive long speed, which com- bines with his elite ball skills to make him a legitimate downfield weapon … A force with the ball in his hands, he has the speed to get to the edge, is more elusive than most tall wide- outs and uses his strength to run through arm tackles … A bright student whose intelligence translates onto the field. Areas For Improvement Austin needs to work on getting off the line with more force and speed … Consistency as a route runner is important, and when it comes his game will take off … Improving his overall flexibility will add to his route running ability. — Bryan Driskell COMMITMENT PROFILE KEVIN AUSTIN A Strong Close Sold Florida Wide Receiver On The Irish Austin, who is rated as the country's No. 13 wide receiver and No. 69 overall prospect by Rivals, notched 41 receptions for 1,021 yards and 13 touchdowns during his junior campaign. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM