Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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44 JUNE/JULY 2018 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED BY COREY BODDEN On some level, Quinn Carroll al- ways had an idea Notre Dame would be the place he would spend his col- legiate career. The Irish offered the Edina (Minn.) High offensive line- man last May and became a top con- tender from the get-go. Carroll went through the process and visited a host of programs, in- cluding making official visits to Notre Dame, Penn State and Virginia Tech. In the end, though, his fond- ness for the Irish remained, and the nation's No. 6 offensive tackle and No. 33 overall player per Rivals com- mitted to head coach Brian Kelly and offensive line coach Jeff Quinn over Penn State, Virginia Tech, Minnesota, Ohio State and Wisconsin. "There were a lot of reasons that went into it," Carroll told Blue & Gold Illustrated. "One of the big ones was being called there. I felt led to Notre Dame with the unique academic and faith-based experience. "I could create a new experience there for my family as well. I love the coaches and everyone around the program." An official visit during the week- end of April 21 is when Carroll knew 100 percent South Bend was his fu- ture home. "For a while in my head, they were ranked No. 1," he said. "Once I stepped back on campus, got around the people again and heard all about it one more time, it was just I had to be here and this is home." It was still a tough decision for Carroll to turn down the in-state program and his dad's alma mater (Minnesota) along with a school like Penn State, where he built a strong relationship with Nittany Lion of- fensive line coach Matt Limegrover. "Not only the coaching staff, but kind of the whole state wanted me to go to Minnesota," Carroll said. "While my dad went there, he never pres- sured me into going to Minnesota. "It would have been cool for every- one with my family, the state and the coaching staff there. It was hard turn to down, but it just wasn't where I felt led." Carroll's father attended and played at Minnesota, but he grew up a fan of another program. "My dad's grandfather came from Ireland and was a huge Notre Dame fan," Carroll said. "My dad's father was also a huge fan, adapting that from his father. My dad naturally has always been a huge Notre Dame fan. He would have loved to go there. "He loved his time at Minnesota and had a great career there. He was never pushing Notre Dame on me, but my whole family has a huge love for Notre Dame. They are excited for me." Former Irish offensive line coach Harry Hiestand started the process by offering Carroll last summer. Quinn took over his recruitment when Hiestand left for the Chicago Bears. Carroll had faith in Quinn from the start. "It was a seamless transition be- cause I had built a relationship with Coach Quinn already," Carroll said. "I knew Coach Kelly wouldn't hire someone who didn't live up to the hype of the Notre Dame offensive line tradition. Coach Quinn is a phe- nomenal guy. He's a great recruiter, is very personable and is willing to get into your face a little bit if you need it. He will love you up afterwards, which is what I'm looking for — that kind of tough love relationship. "He's a such a good guy and that played a really big role in my deci- sion … I'm excited for him and what he's going to do." Now that he is done with the re- cruiting process, Carroll is switching gears to become the recruiter. His first target? Cincinnati Anderson 2019 guard Zeke Correll. "Zeke Correll is definitely one we've pinpointed with adding an- other guard/center in the class," Car- roll said. "We could probably have the best offensive line class in the nation. "It would be a phenomenal achievement for Notre Dame, Coach Quinn and Coach Kelly. He is one we are pushing right now. It's fun being the recruiter." ✦ FILM ANALYSIS Strengths Quinn Carroll is a massive young man with a great frame and very little bad weight … Thrives in the run game thanks to his strength, ability to explode hips through contact and finishing ability … Has fast hands and an im- pressively powerful punch … Plays with a good base and proper pad level, and works his feet through contact … Shows an aggres- sive demeanor and finishing off defenders is something he thrives at … Works well to the second level and plays with good angles in the run game … Has the length and comfort on the edge to thrive in protection. Areas For Improvement Tends to bend too much at the waist instead of being flexible enough to be a knee bender … Has to work on improving foot quickness and agility … Must correct a tell in his stance that can make it easier to determine if he's run blocking or pass blocking. — Bryan Driskell COMMITMENT PROFILE QUINN CARROLL Minnesota Offensive Lineman Felt Led To Notre Dame Carroll is Notre Dame's highest-ranked commit at No. 33 nationally per Rivals. PHOTO BY ANGELA DRISKELL "There were a lot of reasons that went into it. One of the big ones was being called there. I felt led to Notre Dame with the unique academic and faith-based experience. I could create a new experience there for my family as well. I love the players, the coaches and everyone around the program." CARROLL