Tag: nd recruiting

Signed: Notre Dame cornerback Philip Riley

Florida cornerback Philip Riley makes it official and signs with Notre Dame.

Another Floridian, Philip Riley, six-feet and 195-pounds, has signed with Notre Dame.

247Sports composite ranking: 313

247Sports positional composite ranking: 24

Welcome to the Irish family Philip!

Signed: Notre Dame offensive tackle Caleb Johnson

Florida offensive tackle Caleb Johnson has signed with Notre Dame.

Florida’s Caleb Johnson, six-foot-seven-inches and 295-pounds, signed his letter of intent with Notre Dame today.

247Sports composite ranking: 324

247Sports positional composite ranking: 24

Welcome to the Irish family Caleb Johnson!

Scouts view: Newest Notre Dame commit linebacker Kahanu Kia

A look at what to expect out of Notre Dame newest commitment, 2021 linebacker Kahanu Kia.

It’s safe the Irish are on fire on the recruiting trail recently. With the addition of Hawaiian linebacker Kahanu Kia, making it three more commitments to the 2021 class in the last week. First Philip Riley rejoined, then kicker Josh Bryan and now Kia.

Let’s take a look at what to expect out of the six-foot-two-inch and 220-pound ‘backer.

A great athlete with very good instincts, who has closing speed and knows how to finish plays. Kia shows that he can play the run as well as drop back into coverage. His hands are good enough to turn the solid coverage skills into turnovers. Kia will ultimately be a linebacker who never has to leave the field due to his versatility. The highlight package didn’t show much of him rushing the passer, so you question a bit what his abilities are to get to the quarterback. That’s something Kia can focus on when he arrives to South Ben.

Overall the Brian Kelly scores big again by getting a very solid out-of-state prospect. The upside is tremendous, but don’t expect Kia to make an immediate impact, as I believe he’ll need a few years before he’ll contribute for the Irish.

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.

Scout’s View: Riley rejoins Notre Dame’s ‘21 recruiting class

Notre Dame once again gets a former commit to recommit to the 2021 recruiting class, this time Florida cornerback Philip Riley.

It has certainly been an odd year, 2021 Notre Dame recruiting not being excluded. Earlier this year Georgia wide receiver Deion Colzie decommitted from the Irish, only to rejoin the class a few months later. Well, that exactly the case with Florida cornerback Philip Riley, although the journey was a bit different.

After Riley decided to reopen his recruitment, he committed to USC just a few days later. Ultimately, he rejoined the good guys tonight, and Notre Dame is ecstatic to welcome him back to the 2021 recruiting class.

Let’s take a look at what we can expect from the 6-foot and 195-pound defensive back.

Riley show’s the ability to play on the ball or off, solid in both man-to-man and zone concepts. His work on special teams stands out, he is a willing blocker and has the ability to do something with the ball if it comes his way. Riley does need to be better with his punches while playing man-press coverage, but he’s strong enough to do it, just needs to refine his technique. A willing tackler, more technique work wouldn’t hurt there either. Riley flips his hips well, has great feet which really help with his change of direction.

Overall, Riley is a defensive back that shows a ton of upside, but will need to refine some technique when he arrives in South Bend. He certainly has all the tools to be a great cornerback, but it might not be right away when he arrives on campus. He

Notre Dame Recruiting update: Kollie scores 6 TD’s and much more

The Irish see multiple commits have huge games, three new offers and plenty of eyes on South Bend during Notre Dame upset of No. 1 Clemson.

There wasn’t much going on in the world of Notre Dame recruiting, it’s been fairly quite in the recent weeks. Like always, there was some news, three new offers, the Irish in the top 12 of a Florida defensive back and plenty of recruits, committed and not, who traveled to South Bend to see the Irish upset Clemson on Saturday. Let’s not forget the spectacular playoff performances from Irish commits Prince Kollie and Lorenzo Styles Jr.

Scouts Eye: Notre Dame’s newest commit, WR Jayden Thomas

The Irish added a 3rd wide receiver prospect in their 2021 recruiting class. Find out what to expect out the newest Notre Dame commit.

The Irish have added a pair of Georgia  wide receivers to their 2021 recruiting class just this week. On Monday, it was Deion Colzie, deciding that Notre Dame really was the place he wanted to be after decommitting in March. Today it was Jayden Thomas pulling the trigger for the Irish. Here’s what to expect from the newest Irish commit Thomas.

Check out Thomas’ junior highlight reel here.

A game-breaker who can make plays multiple ways. Thomas is able to take direct snaps sometimes completing a pass, splitting out wide or in the slot, change the field with a punt return or even return kickoffs. He runs good, crisp routes and uses his body well to shield off defenders. Thomas does a good job using his hands to catch the ball, rarely using his body to catch. He’s a willing blocker who will get better at it as he gets stronger. Thomas plays both ways, showing that he can flip his hips well enough to adjust to balls that aren’t the most accurate throws. I love that he’s a two-sport athlete as well. Thomas could be an addition to Link Jarrett’s baseball team as well.

The Irish are getting a fantastic prospect as Rivals rates him as the 195th overall player and 36th wide receiver. At 247Sports, they have Thomas as the  260th player and 45th wide receiver nationally. ESPN has him ranked as the 218th overall player.

With Thomas’ commitment, the Notre Dame class now stands at 19 players, good for 9th best overall class in the country according to the 247Sports composite (although it has yet to be updated, I used their class calculator to add Thomas). It’s a great collection of prospects that Kelly and company have assembled.

Current commit joins Rees in pursuit of ‘23 star WR Tate

There is a current commit that has been in the ear of elite wide receiver Carnell Tate. His efforts seem to be working.

Once again, I had the pleasure of speaking with 2023 wide receiver Carnell Tate, this time in person at Prep RedZone’s Showcase in suburban Chicago. A quick chat with Tate brought out an interesting tidbit regarding his recruitment with Notre Dame.

When I asked about who was recruiting him the hardest right now, Tate’s answer should be getting Irish Nation pretty excited. Tate said, “I definitely say Notre Dame because Pat Coogan has been recruiting me. Talking to me a lot. Like whenever I wear another school, he’s on me about it.”

It seem’s like what Coogan is preaching to Tate is working. The six-foot-two-and-a-half-inch pass catcher arrived in a Fighting Irish long-sleeve shirt.

Although it’s kind of hard to see, you can take my word for it. Tate was wearing a Notre Dame shirt.

What’s next for Tate in his recruitment is getting back to the coaches that have offered him; which also include Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa and others. He is the only offer out to an offensive player in the class for the Irish.

Don’t be surprised when other schools step up and offer Tate, it’s just a matter of time. What we hope is that it’s just a matter of time when Tate commits to the Irish.

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.

Rucci sets commitment date, is Notre Dame an option?

Nolan Rucci, the 5-Star Pennsylvania offensive tackle, has set his announcement date for early next week. Are the Irish a viable option?

Late last January the Irish offered Pennsylvania offensive tackle Nolan Rucci, and the through was Notre Dame would be a player in his recruitment until the end. That is the case, as Rucci, the 14th overall player and nationally the 5th ranked tackle by the 247Sports composite has announced he will commit on Tuesday, televised by CBS Sports HQ.

Rucci will go live with his announcement at 6pm EST, but don’t expect to see Irish head coach Brian Kelly on Twitter with his #WeAreND reaction. Notre Dame has been included in his final 5, but they are on the outside looking in. At 247Sports there are 5 crystal balls, none of them favoring the Irish. The same at Rivals with their FutureCasts favoring Wisconsin, the overwhelming favorite to land the offensive tackle.

This shouldn’t come as a surprise, Rucci’s older brother Hayden plays for the Badgers, while his father Todd is Penn State alumnus. Those are really the two schools that have the best chance at the younger Rucci’s commitment.

Kelly would have loved to add Rucci to the ‘21 class, as they currently have two tackles committed in Blake Fisher and Joe Alt. Fisher is a 5-Star like Rucci and Alt is considered more of a project due to his lack of experience playing tackle. When you add in the commits of guard Rocco Spindler and center Pat Coogan, it is a fantastic group even after missing out on Rucci.