Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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32 FEBRUARY 2018 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED FOOTBALL RECRUITING neath zones, but with his length he can stretch the field and out-play de- fenders for the ball. ESPN ranks Takacs as the nation's No. 179 overall player. TOMMY TREMBLE • TE • 6-3, 224 Johns Creek, Ga. • Wesleyan H.S. Tremble is one of the more under- rated players in the country. A con- sensus three-star by the three major services, he received a four-star grade on the BGI Big Board. He's just scratch- ing the surface of his potential. Tremble is an elite athlete for the position. During the Atlanta Re- gional of The Opening last March he ran a 4.63 in the 40-yard dash and posted a 4.20 in the pro shuttle. More than just a combine stand- out, Tremble is a true vertical threat that is a matchup nightmare for safe- ties and linebackers. His hands are natural and strong, and he shows the physicality and effort needed to be a good run blocker. JOHN DIRKSEN • OL • 6-5, 303 Maria Stein, Ohio • Marion Local H.S. Dirksen is "country strong," some- thing that shouldn't be surprising for a player who lives on a dairy farm. He doesn't always use it to his advantage, but when properly motivated he can be a physical and punishing blocker. He has to be more consistent, but the tools are there for him to develop. Improving his technique will help by allowing his quickness off the ball to play up even more. Dirksen has a natural feel in the pass game, and he moves well on the edge, which helps him project to tackle. His toughness and strength potential project him quite well in- side. He has the versatility that Notre Dame likes in its linemen. COLE MABRY • OL • 6-5, 275 Brentwood, Tenn. • Brentwood H.S. Mabry made impressive strides as a senior, showing the traits that made him a top recruit for line coach Harry Hiestand. He was a tall and skinny player as a junior, lack- ing the power needed to be a top player. He was different as a senior, and it was his power that stood out the most. The Brentwood standout filled out his frame and showed significantly more strength and ability to finish off blocks, playing with much better pad level and leg drive. Those gains didn't impact his ath- leticism. He showed the same change of direction skills and agility he dis- played as a junior. JAYSON ADEMILOLA DT • 6-3, 288 Jackson, N.J. • St. Peter's Prep Over the last two seasons, Ademi- lola had 37.5 tackles for loss and 19.5 sacks. In the run game, he plays with good leverage and does an excellent job using his hands to beat blockers. Ademilola is a play- maker inside, some- t h i n g N o t r e D a m e n eeds. He uses h is quickness and athleti- cism to disrupt the pass game. If he puts in the work at the next level, he'll bring a much-needed pass- rushing boost to the interior. If he can play with greater consistency, he could be an impact player from the moment he arrives in South Bend. 247Sports ranks him as the No. 51 overall player in the country. JUSTIN ADEMILOLA • DE • 6-2, 246 Jackson, N.J. • St. Peter's Prep Ademilola is a physical edge de- fender that can eat up the run game to his side. He has strong hands and uses good technique to set the edge, and when the play comes his way he can quickly disengage and get to the football. In the pass game, Ademilola shows an outstanding motor that allowed him to rack up 10.5 sacks and 20 quar- terback hurries as a junior. Power moves have always been his forte, but he showed an enhanced pass- rushing repertoire as a senior. Just as important, Ademilola seemed to be at his best against the team's best opponents, which says a lot about his mindset. JA'MION FRANKLIN • DT • 6-1, 296 Ridgely, Md. • North Caroline H.S. Franklin brings a swagger to the defensive line position that Notre Dame desperately needs. The North Caroline force is a thick, physical and stout interior player that will play nose tackle for the Irish. He eats up blocks thanks to his stout frame, strong hands and motor. He'll com- pete hard inside, but he can do more than just take up space. What this defense needs are interior players that can hold up against the run and also make plays, and Franklin can handle those duties. He is quick off the ball, and he has tremendous energy. He needs to im- prove his hand play, but Franklin has the skill set to bring disruptive pro- duction to the nose tackle position. MATTHEW "BO" BAUER LB • 6-2, 212 Harborcreek, Pa. • Cathedral Prep Bauer won't blow you away with elite athleticism, but his football skills are outstanding. He is a highly instinctive defender with exceptional anticipation, which helps him play faster than he tests. The Cathedral Prep standout shows good short-area quickness, and he displays fine lat- eral speed when pursu- ing the ball carrier. He is a very physical football player who doesn't always wrap up the way he needs to, but overall he is an effective tackler. He has the frame and the intangi- bles for the Mike (middle) linebacker. Bauer went 52-3 during his career, winning back-to-back state titles and defensive player of the year honors. Rivals ranks him as the nation's No. 132 overall player. JACK LAMB • LB • 6-3, 211 Temecula, Calif. • Great Oak H.S. Lamb is a unique combination of outstanding size potential, top-level instincts and impressive athleticism. During his senior season, he showed vastly improved power when he ar- rived at the football. Notre Dame needed to add impact talent at linebacker, and Lamb is that kind of player. He is a smooth and fluid athlete that displays im- pactful agility and ex- plosiveness in the box,