Tag: Irish Recruiting

Scouts view: Newest Notre Dame ‘22 commit, defensive end Aiden Gobaira

A scouts look at what to expect from newest 2022 Notre Dame commit Aiden Gobaira, a defensive end.

The Irish gained another 2022 commit in Virginia’s Aiden Gobaira this afternoon. The commit brings the ‘22 class to a total of 6 commits, good for 6th overall nationally according to the 247Sports composite.

The second defensive end in the class, Gobaira stands six-foot-six-inches and weights 235-pounds. Due to Virginia not playing football this fall, analyzing the newest Notre Dame commit’s tape is from his sophomore year.

Once Gobaira finishes his spring season, we’ll come back and take a look at how he has progressed. But right now let’s take a look at what to expect from the newest member of the 2022 Irish football recruiting class.

The first thing that pops off on Gobaira’s tape is his elite speed off the edge. At the high school level, this is a big time weapon, many offensive tackles just aren’t fast enough to contend with his first few steps. When Gobaira isn’t getting to the quarterback, he’s chasing down plays from the backside, his speed once again playing a big part.

Gobaira possess a great frame, long, lean and athletic, he should not have any problems adding weight once Strength and Conditioning coach Matt Balis gets his hands on him. What he does need to work on right now is having more of an array of moves to beat offensive linemen. At the collegiate level, Gobaira won’t be able to just run by tackles, he’ll need to work having multiple moves.

I wouldn’t expect Gobaira enter the program and see significant playing time right away. Most likely he will take a few years of honing his craft before he makes waves on the Notre Dame defense. Either way, we are happy Gobaira is on board in 2022.

Polian heads out to Utah for newest Notre Dame offer to stud athlete

Recruiting never sleeps and Notre Dame recruiting coordinator has found a big time athlete in Utah and offered him yesterday.

The second offer out to a defender since Marcus Freeman took over as defensive coordinator went out to Utah’s Lander Barton, a very impressive athlete who most likely will end up as an outside linebacker.

 

Although recruiting coordinator Brian Polian is leading his recruitment, Barton surely fits the mold that Freeman is looking for in his defense.

After reviewing the six-foot-four-inch and 220-pound linebackers film, there isn’t much to complain about. Barton flies around the field, showing his sideline-to-sideline speed, which will undoubtedly translate over to the collegiate level. The speed is shown off again when Barton blitzes off the edge, punishing offensive players and showing active hands when he arrives to ball-carriers. He’s no slouch at picking passes off either, with very good coverage skills. This shows that Barton will most likely be a three-down linebacker when he hits the field in college.

Notre Dame has identified a great prospect as Barton already holds offers from Oregon, Stanford, Washington and others. This is a great offer and I personally hope to see Barton ultimately end up donning the Blue and Gold.

Notre Dame Football: Early signing day prospect decisions to watch

There’s always plenty of drama on signing day, here are a few notable Notre Dame storylines to follow for tomorrow.

It has become increasingly common for the majority of prospects to verbally commit and then sign with their school of choice during the early signing period, which begins tomorrow. There is always drama on signing day, wether it is in mid-December or the traditional first Wednesday of February. Right now the Irish have 24 committed players, but that number could move. Here are a few things to watch for with Notre Dame players who have committed, aren’t committed, or could be on flip watch tomorrow.

 

Scouts view: Notre Dame’s newest commit OT Caleb Johnson

What to expect from Notre Dame’s newest commit, offensive lineman Caleb Johnson from Florida.

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Brian Kelly and his staff have been hard at work on the recruiting trail and that work has paid off handily this past week. First it was Philip Riley coming back to the 2021 class, then kicker Josh Bryan, yesterday it was a two-fer with linebacker Kahanu Kia  and now Caleb Johnson.

The flip of Johnson from Auburn is solidifying the offensive line class, which now has tackles Blake Fisher and Joe Alt, guards Rocco Spindler and Pat Coogan.

Let’s take a look at what to expect from the latest Irish commit Johnson.

A massive tackle who moves his feet extremely well, constantly finishing his block. When he’s not taking down the opposing lineman, Johnson is able to get to the second level allowing his backs to get more yardage. Surprisingly nimble, Johnson is able to pull on some running plays and also lead block on screen plays. Shows great versatility as he has played guard and tackle. His size screams tackle, but if that doesn’t work out, Johnson could be a road grader at guard.

Another player with massive upside, as evident by his Alabama and LSU offers, don’t be confused by the 3-star ranking. There is potential that he could see the field early, but I bet he get’s some freshman playing time, but saves a year by playing under the 4 games to keep his redshirt.

Johnson is another big time addition to the 2021 Notre Dame recruiting class, another piece to an already impressive offensive line haul.

Don’t forget to check out our latest recruiting update, the current commitment list and our FIW exclusive interview with 2021 offensive line commit Pat Coogan.

Notre Dame Recruiting update: Two new commits, Styles Jr. falls short and more

A look at the latest recruiting news for Notre Dame Football.

We are back to look at the week that was in Notre Dame recruiting. Already this week there has been plenty of action, from Philip Riley committing back into the 2021 class, the addition of 2021 elite kicker Josh Bryan but that’s not all that has been happening. The Irish have made it to later stages of a few elite players recruitments, multiple preferred walk-on spots offered and more. Also, stay tuned for a Fighting Irish Wire exclusive interview with 2021 offensive line commit Pat Coogan tomorrow.

Former Irish commit Colzie sets commitment date, possible recommitment?

One-time Notre Dame commit Deion Colzie has set a date to make his second commitment. Could lightening strike twice for the Irish?

Last October, Brian Kelly scored a huge win when Georgia wide receiver Deion Colzie committed to the Irish. Notre Dame held on to Colzie’s commitment until March 20, when he reopened his recruitment. Colzie now has set a date to commit for the second time.

Taking a look at where some of the experts think Colzie is headed is not very encouraging. At 247Sports, there have been 6 “crystal ball” picks, each one of them favoring instate Georgia. The other pick was made for the Irish, but it was made the day Colzie previously committed to the Irish. It’s noteable that Irish Illustrated insider Tom Loy has picked Georgia.

Rivals sees it the same way, but with an asterisk. Their Notre Dame insider Mike Singer picked the Irish in their FutureCast, after another one of their insiders picked Colzie to recommit as well. So you’re saying there’s a chance?

Right now it tough to tell what Colzie’s intentions are. No doubt, Kelly and wide receivers coach Del Alexander would love for Colzie to rejoin the Irish 2021 recruiting class. Right now, Lorenzo Styles Jr. is the lone commit at the position. We will continue to monitor the situation, as the countdown to September 28 has begun.

Notre Dame Football offers top defensive end in ‘23 class M’Pemba

The Irish look a few classes ahead and offer one of the most intriguing athletes in the 2023 recruiting class, Missouri’s Samuel M’Pemba.

To this date, Brian Kelly and his coaching staff have focused their recruiting efforts in the 2021 and 2022 class. It’s not to say the staff has forgotten about the 2023 class, but they have been much more selective as to who they are offering. After a talk with defensive line coach Mike Elston, the number one weak-side defensive end Samuel M’Pemba was verbally offered.

The Missouri native stands 6-foot-4-inches and weighs 216-pounds is seeing his recruitment blow up. Just this month M’Pemba has added offers from Georgia, Michigan, Arizona State, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Boston College, Arkansas, and Missouri while he previously held offers from Texas, California and others.

M’Pemba is quite an intriguing prospect as he did a little of everything in during his freshman campaign. He showed an array of skills, as he rushed the passer as a defensive end, then would flip to the other side of the ball and catch passes from his quarterback. You don’t see many players having the skill set that allows you to be productive at both of those positions. Check out his highlight reel here.

M’Pemba is a prospect that oozes with talent, almost anywhere you put him. Kelly and Elston obviously see his as a defensive end in the future, but who knows with such an impressive athlete that M’Pemba is. Either way we would love to see him in the Blue and Gold in the future.

Another Honor for Irish Commit

The hype continues for the highest rated commit in the 2021 Notre Dame Football recruiting class.

The anticipation for Notre Dame quarterback commit Tyler Bucher’s senior season continues to build. After performing well during the Elite 11 QB camp, he has now been named as a MaxPreps preseason high school 1st team All-American as an all-purpose player.

There has been some conversation as to whether high school football will actually be played this fall, as Virginia has canceled their season, Arizona has delayed their start and California, where Bucher is from, will make their decision on their season public on Monday the 20th.

Back to what MaxPrep’s had to say about the future Irish signal-caller as Buchner “put up video game numbers as a junior at Bishops’s (La Jolla, Calif.). The 2021 Notre Dame commit accounted for 6,084 yards of total offense (4,474 passing, 1,610 rushing) and 81 touchdowns (53 passing, 28, rushing).” Those numbers are truly amazing, La Jolla played 13 games last year, so Buchner accounted for almost 35 points a game.

The top-rated player in Brian Kelly’s 2021 recruiting class will have plenty on his shoulders when he arrives on campus next year. The starting spot will be vacant after Ian Book graduates, so Buchner will have a shot at starting as a true freshman. That may not happen, but he should see some time, even if it’s mop up duty. If Buchner lives up to the hype, he’s rated as the 42nd overall prospect in the ’21 class by the 247Sports composite, all of Blue and Gold Nation will be proud.

Is Notre Dame a Contender for 4-Star Offensive Tackle Rucci?

Rivals projects who is leading for Nolan Rucci, the offensive tackle from Pennsylvania in the 2021 recruiting class.

The Irish just picked up a commitment from Minnesota offensive tackle Joe Alt on Monday, and instate Blake Fisher already in the fold make a solid tandem for the 2021 recruiting class. Brian Kelly and offensive line coach Jeff Quinn are still looking for another player at the position, as his philosophy is go hard after tackles and they can move down to guard if need be later.

With that in mind, Pennsylvania 4-Star offensive tackle Nolan Rucci is still trying to make a decision on where he will attend school. Rivals took a look at where his recruitment stands and it looks like Kelly and Quinn should continue to look at other prospects. Adam Friedman, a recruiting analyst with Rivals, doesn’t see this one trending in the Irish’s way.

The Irish ranked 6th for Rucci’s services, not a particularly encouraging spot going forward. They have a lot of other schools the Irish will have to jump in order to get Rucci in the Blue and Gold. His recruitment has been trending away from the Irish so Kelly will most likely have to look in another direction. When looking at the 16 tackles offered, only five remain uncommitted and none of them are trending the Irish’s direction. They most likely will have to find another diamond in the rough like Alt to round out the position in 2021 recruiting.

Buchner Bounces Back, Irish commit wows at Elite 11 Camp Day 2

The Notre Dame commit impressed onlookers during day two of the Elite 11 quarterback camp.

The first day of the Elite 11 camp may not have went the way Notre Dame commit Tyler Buchner would have liked. Day two however was a different story for the Californian quarterback, even though going into the evening he was ranked high by the Elite 11 staff.

He was ranked as the second-best performer and after watching this throw, you can see why he got high praise today.

It wasn’t all pretty for Buchner today, sometimes the adrenaline kicks in and you try and do too much. Eventually, he settled in and went to work.

 

The camp continues for another day, so Buchner will continue to learn from some of the best quarterback coaches in the nation. Another strong performance could net him the MVP of the camp. The experience can only be looked at as a positive for the Irish commit and Notre Dame fans should be excited about the possibilities Buchner will bring when he arrives on campus.