Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com APRIL 2018 37 4. KEVIN AUSTIN, WR Coconut Creek (Fla.) North Broward He is a bit on the thin side right now, but Austin has the kind of frame that will allow him to add sig- nificant strength and weight, which will enhance his power game. Austin is a competitive football player that can out-muscle defend- ers for the ball, and he's hard to bring down in space. He has impressive long speed, and he's dangerous with the ball in his hands. Austin is far from a finished product, but his raw ability is as good as anyone in this class. BGI Grade: 4.0/Upside Grade: 5.0 5. SHAYNE SIMON, LB/ROVER Jersey City (N.J.) St. Peter's Prep Simon was the best player on a loaded St. Peter's Prep team this past season, dominating on both sides of the ball. A long and rangy athlete, Simon has the ability to play both the rover and Buck linebacker spots in the Irish defense. Simon was highly disruptive as a senior, recording 14 tackles for loss to go with five interceptions. He is physical enough to handle the run game, but his coverage ability and intelligence as a linebacker are what set him apart. BGI Grade: 4.0/Upside Grade: 5.0 6. JAYSON ADEMILOLA, DT Jersey City (N.J.) St. Peter's Prep Notre Dame needs playmakers along the interior of its defensive line, and that is exactly what Ademi- lola brings to the game. He registered 37.5 tackles for loss and 19.5 sacks in his last two seasons. A quick penetrator with fast and strong hands, Ademilola can use his athleticism to beat blockers off the ball and has the technique to destroy blocks on his way to the ball carrier. He has to improve his motor a bit, but when properly motivated he's one of the best interior players in the country. BGI Grade: 4.0/Upside Grade: 5.0 7. BRADEN LENZY, WR Portland (Ore.) Tigard The Irish coaching staff set out to add speed to the offense, and Lenzy adds that in droves. A state cham- pion in the 200-meter and 400-meter dashes as a junior, he plays fast on the gridiron as well. The 6-0, 175-pound burner can take the top off the defense, he's dynamic with the ball in his hands and he shows the foot quickness and flex- ibility to develop into a strong route runner. Lenzy tracks the deep ball well and shows supreme confidence in his ball skills. BGI Grade: 4.0/Upside Grade: 5.0 8. HOUSTON GRIFFITH, CB/S Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy Griffith is a versatile player with the skills to be a college starter at cornerback or safety. He will get a chance to play cornerback this spring, but his skill set is best suited for the safety position. Griffith is a smooth athlete with quick feet and loose hips, but he lacks the top-end speed desired at cornerback. At 6-0 and 194 pounds, he has the size and power to handle both positions at a high level in the run game. BGI Grade: 4.0/Upside Grade: 5.0 9. TOMMY TREMBLE, TE Norcross (Ga.) Wesleyan Tremble flew under the radar thanks to a foot injury that cost him all but one game of his senior season, but his skill set is special. The 6-3, 224-pound tight end has truly elite speed for his size, running a 4.63 in the 40-yard dash at the Nike Foot- ball The Opening regional in Atlanta prior to his senior season. Tremble's explosiveness and length make him a matchup nightmare for safeties and linebackers. He is a qual- ity route runner, he attacks the foot- ball well and he will compete in the run game. BGI Grade: 4.0/Upside Grade: 5.0 10. BO BAUER, LB Erie (Pa.) Cathedral Prep He isn't the athlete that Lamb and Simon are, but that didn't keep him from being one of the nation's most productive linebackers the last three years. He is an instinctive and physi- cal run defender that does his best work between the tackles. Bauer tends to play high, but he gets downhill in a hurry and delivers serious punishment when he arrives at the ball carrier. His intangibles and physicality are impressive, and they will give him a chance to make an impact at Notre Dame. BGI Grade: 4.0/Upside Grade: 4.5 11. MICAH JONES, WR Gurnee (Ill.) Warren Township Lenzy and Austin bring speed to the wide receiver position in this class, while Jones adds size. At 6-5 and 202 pounds with very long arms, he has an incredibly wide catch radius. The Irish coaches wanted to improve their defensive team speed, and rover Shayne Simon helps do just that. PHOTO BY RIVALS.COM