Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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36 FEBRUARY 2018 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED BY COREY BODDEN When Notre Dame landed Naples (Fla.) Gulf Coast four-star tight end George Takacs in June, Notre Dame could have stopped recruiting tight ends, but there was one player the staff really wanted to add, and they went hard after him. Norcross (Ga.) Wesleyan tight end Tommy Tremble, the nation's No. 18 tight end per Rivals, announced a commitment to Notre Dame Dec. 14 over Georgia, Michigan and UCLA. He signed on the first day of the early signing period Dec. 20. "They're one of the schools that have been with me forever," Tremble told Blue & Gold Illustrated. "They've always been good to me. Coach Chip Long, Coach Brian Kelly and every- one have been great to me, especially during the hard time when I had an injury. "With their education and football, there isn't anything like it. You just can't choose anything else." Tremble said he was "pretty sure" about being Irish after his official visit in October for the USC game, but de- cided to take a few more visits just to see. Trips to Michigan (Nov. 25) and UCLA (Dec. 9) made the process more difficult for Tremble, but in the end Notre Dame presented the best opportunity. "It got really hard because I really liked Michigan and I really liked UCLA," Tremble stated. "It just came back to that same thing — what are you going to do after all this? How's this going to work out? Notre Dame is the best option out of everything." Kelly, Long and Fighting Irish running backs coach Autry Denson made an in-home visit with Tremble the night before his commitment, and that's when they learned of Tremble's decision. The relationship Tremble had with the staff played a big role in his deci- sion, but how Long and Kelly picked up on a personality trait and adjusted their recruiting efforts because of it caught Tremble's attention. "Coach Long knows I hate to text and I hate to talk, but he texts me once or twice week asking how I'm doing. We had good conversations … I loved that," Tremble explained. "Same thing with Coach Kelly. They used to text me a bunch, but they noticed about my personality and I don't need all that kind of attention. "They just recognized that in my personality, which [is something] I really appreciated." Tremble's athleticism at the tight end position is a big part of why the staff continued to push hard through- out the entire process. "There are not many tight ends in the country that can do the kind of things that I can do," Tremble said of Long's message about what he can do in the Irish offense. "He said with that in this type of offensive scheme it could be explosive. "I'm going to be the hardest worker at the entire college at every- thing, not just football. I'm just going to make it work." Notre Dame's class now boasts five playmakers at wide receiver and tight end, and Tremble is ready to get to work with the group. "I'm really excited," Tremble stated. "I know some of the boys. Houston Griffith actually stayed at my house two years ago. He came with one of my IMG friends. Now we're both going to the same college. "I've talked to a few of the commits like Kevin Austin, Paul Moala … We hung out on our official. I really like the guys. I can't wait." Landing Tremble gave Notre Dame its second payer from Georgia along with Rivals100 safety Derrik Allen of Marietta Lassiter. Tremble missed most of his se- nior season after suffering an ankle injury during the second game of the season. He caught 15 passes for 298 yards (19.9 per reception) and two touchdowns during his junior campaign. At Nike Football's The Opening Atlanta Regional, Tremble recorded a 4.63 in the 40-yard dash, a 4.20 in the shuttle, a 35-foot power ball toss and a 35.8-inch vertical jump. His 40- yard dash time was the best of any tight end in the country at any The Opening event. ✦ FILM ANALYSIS Strengths There isn't a more dynamic athlete at the tight end position than Tommy Tremble, who ran the nation's fastest 40-yard dash time for a tight end this past spring (4.63) … He moves like a wide receiver; he has excellent speed for his size, his change of direction skills are top- notch and he possesses good balance … His ball skills are outstanding, and he competes in traffic, is a good leaper and has strong hands … Is a physical player that is more than willing to mix it up in the run game. Areas For Improvement Will need to add a lot more weight and strength in order to block on the edge of the line of scrimmage … An injury cost him the majority of his senior season, and there is still room for improved route running technique … Has to learn to use his hands better at the line and throughout his routes. — Bryan Driskell COMMITMENT PROFILE TOMMY TREMBLE Georgia Tight End Provides Athleticism To Notre Dame's 2018 Class Notre Dame was able to fend off late runs by UCLA and Michigan to add Tremble — Rivals' No. 18 tight end nationally — to its 2018 class. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM "There are not many tight ends in the country that can do the kind of things that I can do. He said with that in this type of offensive scheme it could be explosive." TREMBLE ON OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR CHIP LONG'S PITCH DURING THE RECRUITING PROCESS