Notre Dame has historically been a major power recruiting on the West Coast and the Irish showed again why that is the case getting a commitment from California cornerback Jaden Mickey.
[lawrence-related id=26652]
https://twitter.com/thakidmick/status/1371174467443953664?s=21
Standing almost six feet and 175-pounds, Mickey also held offers from Georgia, USC, Oregon and others. He becomes the 10th commit in the 2022 class, the first at his position.
[listicle id=17189]
With Mickey in the fold the Irish now have a top-5 class according to the 247Sports composite, at four, trailing only Ohio State, LSU and Georgia. Here’s what to expect from the newest Irish defensive back commit.
Since California just started their 2020-21 season, Mickey’s season highlight package is from last year. When his tape from the spring season comes out, a new scouts view will come out, but until then his sophomore season was very prosperous, picking off 6 passes and taking two of those to the house. The reason why Mickey was able to do this was because he’s always around the ball.
It’s fairly obvious that Mickey has good hands, but the reason why he got so many opportunities to pick those passes off is because he baits quarterbacks to trying and fit the ball into tight windows. He gets some by being opportunistic as well.
Mickey plays plenty of press and off the call coverage, excelling in both although I like him much more in man situations. He seems more engaged when knowing he’s on an island instead having an area responsibility. His press is solid off the line, Mickey could use some time in the weight room to be stronger, his initial punch off the line become much better.
As a tackler Mickey is willing, but does need to work on his form, this is easily correctable. Remember, all of this is as sophomore, the base for a very high level corner is there. The Irish are getting a good one with Mickey, he’s got a very high ceiling.