Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/954261
38 APRIL 2018 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED He competes hard for the football, is a confident pass catcher and is one of those receivers who is never really covered for a quarterback with good ball placement skills. Jones is a qual- ity athlete and a good route runner, and he shows a knack for finding soft spots against zone coverages. BGI Grade: 4.0/Upside Grade: 4.5 12. NOAH BOYKIN, CB Washington (D.C.) H.D. Woodson Boykin lacks top-end speed, but beyond that he has all the traits needed in a modern cornerback. At 6-2 with very long arms, he has elite length, and finding long corners is one of the trends in today's football. Looking for it is one thing, finding it is another, which made landing Boykin on National Signing Day vi- tally important. He is a nimble ath- lete with impressive agility and high- end change of direction ability. He is a fast reader on the ball, which makes him an impactful ball disruptor. BGI Grade: 4.0/Upside Grade: 4.5 13. TARIQ BRACY, CB Milpitas (Calif.) High School There might not be a better athlete in this class than Bracy, who domi- nated as a running back, cornerback and return man while leading Mil- pitas to a state championship. He is undersized for running back, but his size plays well at cornerback. He shows top-end speed and out- standing agility. His change of direc- tion jumps off the screen when watch- ing his film, and his explosiveness as a senior stood out. He will need to refine his technique and gain more experience on defense, but he has all the tools. BGI Grade: 4.0/Upside Grade: 5.0 14. LAWRENCE KEYS, WR New Orleans McDonogh 35 The New Orleans native is the most natural wide receiver in the class. He projects to be a top-flight route run- ner, and his feel for getting open is as good as you'll see in the 2018 class. Keys is a confident pass catcher with strong and fast hands, which allows him to compete much better for the ball than one would expect from a smaller receiver. He will have to get stronger, but his speed and quickness will fit quite nicely into the Irish offense. BGI Grade: 4.0/Upside Grade: 4.5 15. JA'MION FRANKLIN, DT Ridgely (Md.) North Caroline In a class loaded with top-end ath- letes on defense, Franklin is the excep- tion. He is not going to blow you away with outstanding athletic skills or great size, but that doesn't stop him from be- ing a highly productive player. What Franklin lacks in tools he makes up for with strength, a great motor, and tremendous swagger and confidence. He is quick off the ball and plays with good pad level. He also possesses strong hands, which help him get off blockers when the ball comes his way. BGI Grade: 4.0/Upside Grade: 4.0 16. JOSEPH WILKINS JR., CB North Fort Myers (Fla.) High Wilkins projects well at multiple positions at Notre Dame. Recruited as a cornerback, he could easily play safety or even wide receiver down the road if the need arises. Wilkins has impressive length at cornerback, and as he enhances his technique his height and long arms should prove even better assets. Not a burner, he is able to play fast because he possesses quick feet and his transition ability is smooth and easy. He plays under control and shows a good feel in coverage. BGI Grade: 4.0/Upside Grade: 4.5 He isn't flashy, but running back Jahmir Smith ran for 3,858 yards and 67 TDs in last two seasons. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM