Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com SEPT. 18, 2017 45 PREP PROFILES Metuchen (N.J.) St. Joseph 2019 of- fensive tackle John Olmstead was impressed by Notre Dame during his June visit when he landed an offer from the Irish staff. The 6-6, 285-pounder liked it so much he has already made plans to return to South Bend this fall to expe- rience game day inside Notre Dame Stadium. The Rivals100 prospect is scheduled to be at the Notre Dame- Navy game Nov. 18. "I definitely want to go back for a game to see how the coaches are dur- ing a game situation," Olmstead told Blue & Gold Illustrated. "Obviously, you have to go see a game and see how the fans are and how they inter- act with the game. It's a great place to be. A lot of people say you have to go see a Notre Dame game. I'm excited to get back down there. "I was there for a very quick trip last time. I definitely want to see more of the town around the school. I didn't get a chance to see all of the history of the school, so definitely that too." Getting a close look at how the coaching staff approaches game day and operates during a game is a ma- jor aim for Olmstead during all his school visits. "It's very important because you may be with that offensive line coach and head coach the next four or five years of your life," he explained. "You want to know how they react to different situations and how they perform." Notre Dame made quite the im- pression on Olmstead during his quick summer stop. "I loved it," Olmstead said of Notre Dame. "It's probably going to be one of my top schools when it comes down to my top five. "I had a great time there with the history and tradition, the football program and the academics. It's the whole package." Olmstead has kept in contact with offensive line coach Harry Hiestand since his June visit. He's looking for- ward to continuing to build their re- lationship, and the one he has with defensive coordinator Mike Elko. "During the first bit of my visit I did a workout for them," Olmstead said. "It was like learning the offen- sive line all over again. He's a very old-fashioned coach that gets straight to the point. "He wants to get the work done, and I really like that about him." — Corey Bodden Indianapolis Warren Central wide receiver David Bell is one of the top pass catchers not only in Indiana, but also across the country. His re- cruitment is off to a good start with offers from Notre Dame, Michigan State, Northwestern, Iowa, Minne- sota, Cincinnati, Purdue and others. He visited South Bend this spring for the program's Sophomore Day April 2 and planned on being in South Bend for Notre Dame's big matchup against Georgia Sept. 9. "I'll be looking to have a good time on their campus," Bell said of his return trip. "I think Notre Dame is a great school and is going to be back on top real soon. "What stand outs to me the most has to be their coaching staff. They are a good group of people." First-year Irish offensive coordi- nator Chip Long's scheme is some- thing Bell mentioned he will be pay- ing attention to during his visit and throughout the season to determine his potential long-term fit. Besides Notre Dame, Bell plans to visit Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Iowa, Kentucky, Cincinnati, Louisville and Indiana this fall. "I'm looking for a school that makes me feel like family," he said. "The most important thing to me is how good their education level is. Also, how far away from home it is." Bell will be a name to monitor, given his status as a Rivals100 player and an in-state product. A re- turn visit is also a good sign for the Irish in terms of long-term interest. During his sophomore year, Bell caught 68 passes for 1,201 yards and 17 touchdowns. In the first game of his junior season, he pulled down nine passes for 182 yards and two scores. "Things went okay in my first game," the 6-2, 180-pounder ex- plained. "I think I showed that I will be a problem for teams this year." Bell, though, wants to do more than just catch passes. "I just want to be a good team- mate for the rest of the season," he stated. "I couldn't care less if I don't catch another ball, but we win. I will still be happy for my teammates. "I just want to improve my leader- ship skills this year." — Corey Bodden 2019 Offensive Tackle Is Ready To Visit Irish Again In-State Junior Wide Receiver Is Planning Notre Dame Visit JOHN OLMSTEAD ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ St. Joseph's H.S. Metuchen, N.J. Class: 2019 Status: Offered Position: Offensive Tackle Ht.: 6-6 • Wt.: 285 Rivals Rankings: No. 8 offen- sive tackle and No. 59 overall player in the nation DAVID BELL ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Warren Central H.S. Indianapolis Class: 2019 Status: Offered Position: Wide Receiver Ht.: 6-2 • Wt.: 180 Rivals Rankings: No. 13 wide receiver and No. 70 overall player in the country "IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE ONE OF MY TOP SCHOOLS WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO MY TOP FIVE." OLMSTEAD ON NOTRE DAME "I THINK NOTRE DAME IS A GREAT SCHOOL AND IS GOING TO BE BACK ON TOP REAL SOON. WHAT STAND OUTS TO ME THE MOST HAS TO BE THEIR COACHING STAFF. THEY ARE A GOOD GROUP OF PEOPLE." BELL