Tag: brenan vernon

Notre Dame’s 2023 class back to top in the nation according to one site

It’s early but it’s nice to be on top

The Irish have gotten off to an amazing start to their 2023 recruiting class, jockeying with teams for that top spot. Well, with the commitment of future linebacker Preston Zinter, the Irish have retaken the top overall class according to 247Sports.

The nine current commits, headlined by defensive stars Keon Keeley and Drayk Bowen, jumped Georgia and their 9 commits for the top overall spot. According to 247Sports’ player rankings, the Irish currently have the second most committed 5-Star prospects, 2 behind USC’s three.

Five total players inside the top-100 nationally, Keely, Bowen, safety Peyton Bowen, defensive end Brenan Vernon and cornerback Justyn Rhett make up the core of what looks to be a very high level ‘23 class. You can nitpick that there needs to be more high-end offensive talent, but it’s still super early in the cycle and plenty of time to change that narrative.

Marcus Freeman’s first true recruiting class is one we may look back upon that has created the foundation for a very impressive run for Notre Dame.

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Notre Dame 2023 target will announce commitment very soon

The Irish will know soon if they can bring in another big time Ohioan

The Irish are always looking to bolster their offensive line and there could be another big time prospect on their way to South Bend. Today, Ohio offensive tackle Luke Montgomery announced that he will be making his commitment at Findlay High School’s gymnasium.

Montgomery not only is a star on the football field, but on the hardwood as well, excelling for his high school team and even playing for a very good Indiana Elite AAU team. If Montgomery is to verbally commit to Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame, he would make a great Ohio pairing with defensive end Brenan Vernon.

We will find out his intentions soon, as Montgomery will be making his pledge on February 17th, at 3pm EST, live on CBS and his Instagram account.

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Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Mike on Twitter: @MikeFChen

Freeman visits Ohio high school as his recruiting tour continues

Racking up those frequent flier miles coach!

This past week on Fighting Irish Wire we have seen new Irish head coach Marcus Freeman in Maryland, Chicago, in Indiana and now he’s been spotted today in Ohio. The new Notre Dame head coach visited Findlay High School,  home of offensive line target Luke Montgomery.

Obviously the Irish are hitting their neighboring state hard and results have already happened. The number one 2023 prospect in the state, defensive end Brenan Vernon, has committed to the Irish and multiple others are considering the Blue and Gold. Montgomery obviously is one, but linebacker Trevor Carter, who is a Cincinnati commit, could be looked at as well. Hopefully Freeman’s hard work in his home state pays off with another Ohioan joining the 2023 Irish recruiting class.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Mike on Twitter: @MikeFChen

Recruiting side of Notre Dame losing Elston to Michigan

Buckle up, this could be a bit of a rough ride for a little bit…

I was asked on Twitter if you could consider Notre Dame and Michigan true rivals since the two no longer play each other anywhere near annually.

To anyone in the know of either program the obvious answer is yes and Mike Elston leaving Notre Dame for his alma mater is the latest chapter in that rivalry that has been fought as much off the field as it has been on.  Notre Dame clearly takes a hit in terms of having a star coach on the defensive line but also a star recruiter.

Elston has been a successful recruiter for years but was key in two of the biggest commitments in Notre Dame’s top-ranked class of 2023:  defensive linemen Keon Keeley of Florida and Brenan Vernon of Ohio.

Related:  Meet Notre Dame’s star-studded 2023 recruiting class commitments

Like any good coach, Elston is successful in recruiting because of relationships he develops.  If you aren’t able to form relationships you aren’t going to succeed at the task, its as simple as that and obvious Elston does.

That means you can bet your bottom dollar that Elston will be quick to pursue both Keeley and Vernon in the days and weeks to come.  As hard as Notre Dame worked to get those commitments, Marcus Freeman and his staff will have to work just as hard and perhaps even harder to keep them.

The Elston news certainly wasn’t what any Notre Dame observer expected or wanted and it’ll leave a bit of a rough patch that will certainly need smoothing by Freeman and company.

Rivalry on, even if the head-to-head games aren’t.

Related:

Notre Dame football coaching staff tracker (updated 1.13.2022)

Joel Klatt’s ‘way too early’ top 10 for 2022 

Notre Dame’s 2023 Recruiting Commitments

What is Notre Dame’s biggest need in the 2023 recruiting cycle?

Notre Dame is off and running with their 2023 recruiting class even if we’re months away from the 2022 edition being complete.

Defensive lineman Keon Keeley of Tampa, Florida became the first commitment to the 2023 class for Notre Dame on June 28, 2021 while the prized Brenan Vernon of Ohio joined a day later.

Be sure to check back here regularly as this class of future Fighting Irish football players continues to grow.

Prized new commitment Brenan Vernon on Notre Dame decision

What makes Notre Dame special to you?

Notre Dame landed one of their biggest defensive recruits in recent history as five-star defensive end Brenan Vernon announced his decision to play for the Fighting Irish earlier this week.

Vernon surprised many as he became the first five-star player (non-OL) from Ohio to not choose the Buckeyes since Urban Meyer was hired before the 2012 season.

Vernon is the second commitment in Notre Dame’s 2023 recruiting class that is already looking like it’ll bring in one of the best defensive lines nationally as four-star defensive end Keon Keeley also committed earlier this week.

Here is what Vernon had to say to Mike Singer of Rivals about a few things related to Notre Dame:

Notre Dame’s biggest football recruits since 2000

Who is Notre Dame’s biggest recruit (in your eyes) since 2000?

Tuesday was a great day for Brian Kelly, Marcus Freeman, and the rest of the Notre Dame coaching staff as they landed a commitment from ’23 five-star defensive end Brenan Vernon.

Related:

Notre Dame lands five-star defensive end

Scout’s View of Vernon commitment

Just how big of a get is this for Notre Dame?  Time will tell as Vernon is only entering his junior year of high school but as it stands now, he’s one of the top-ten for Notre Dame overall in this entire century.

Let’s take a very quick look back at Notre Dame’s top-ranked recruits since 2001 (courtesy of 247Sports) and see just how highly thought of Vernon is.

Notre Dame lands major commitment from five-star defensive end

A huge recruiting win for the Irish!

Notre Dame has landed their second commitment for the 2023 recruiting class in as many days as five-star defensive end Brenan Vernon announced his commitment to the Fighting Irish on Tuesday.

Vernon comes with a five-star evaluation from 247Sports and from Mentor, Ohio.  The junior-to-be chose Notre Dame over the likes of Alabama, Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan, and plenty of others.

Vernon is one of the best defensive ends in the entire 2023 recruiting class and will be tough to top as Notre Dame’s biggest recruit in the class, although it is still incredibly early in the process.

Vernon measures in at 6-5, 245 pounds, and helped Mentor to a 9-2 overall record last season as a sophomore, as they earned a spot in the Ohio Division I state semi-final.

Keep it locked for Fighting Irish Wire as we’ll have everything for you in regards to this massive pickup for Brian Kelly, Marcus Freeman, and company!

Related:

Scouts View: Newest Notre Dame commit ‘23 DE Brenan Vernon

 

Scouts View: Newest Notre Dame commit ‘23 DE Brenan Vernon

It’s going to be fun watching Vernon in Blue and Gold

This commitment is absolutely massive, as Notre Dame just stole one of the best prospects in Ohio from the instate power, Ohio State.

Although Brenan Vernon just completed his sophomore year, he is viewed as one of the best players in the country. At six-foot-five-inches and 245-pounds, the rising junior is an absolute terror for opposing quarterbacks.

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It’s always fun to watch the highlights of the best players across the country, and Vernon falls under that category. Although many recruiting services have yet to focus on his class, 2023, the Ohioan has been ranked as the 18th overall player in the country. Here is my scouts view of what to expect when he arrives on campus in two years.

The first thing that jumps off the screen is Vernon’s ability to beat offensive linemen with his first step. It seems like he’s immediately in the backfield right after the ball is snapped. His frame is fantastic, although he might end up sliding inside to play defensive tackle. Vernon has very good hands, he’s able to disengage almost at will from linemen.

You can tell he’s a cerebral player as well, even when Vernon gets in the backfield, he’s not anxious, staying in his “lane” before making his move towards the ball carrier. Vernon does a great job of chasing plays down, he takes great angles when in pursuit.

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Overall, it’s easy to see why he’s so highly regarded after just two seasons of high school football. The Irish got a very good prospect and a great pair of defensive linemen in the 2023 class after Keon Keeley committed yesterday.

Wisconsin offers 2023 five-star DE Brenan Vernon, two other players in the class

The Wisconsin football program offered three players in the class of 2023 yesterday, the offers bringing their total in the class up to 11.

The Wisconsin football program offered three players in the class of 2023 yesterday, the offers bringing their total in the class up to 11.

Most focus now is on the 2022 recruiting cycle, with the Badgers only having quarterback Myles Burkett currently committed to their class.

Related: Jalen Berger reminds Wisconsin RB coach Gary Brown of a former NFL Pro Bowler, rushing champion

But one of their offers from yesterday is noteworthy.

He is five-star DE Brenan Vernon, the No. 9 overall player in the class and Ohio’s No. 1-ranked recruit.

Including Brenan, here are the three class of 2023 offers the Badgers sent out yesterday: