Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/109499
Didn't take official visit until Jan. 18, 2013, with offensive lineman Nick Martin as host. Why He Chose Notre Dame: "Notre Dame just happened to be the first visit I took and right away it was, 'This is where I need to be.' I just felt most comfortable there, and I've been a Notre Dame fan since I was a little kid, so it was a no-brainer." Jason Sapp's Scouting Report: Has a good kick, keeps his shoulders square and his hands and feet both remain active … Gains control of the defender quickly and causes the second-level players to keep their heads on a swivel because he's coming for the crushing blow … After making the initial block he searches out more. 2013 Projection: In the six years from 2007-12, Notre Dame recruited 18 offensive linemen, and only one did not preserve a fifth year of eligibility as a freshman — Trevor Robinson in 2008. As highly touted as this incoming five-man group is, offensive line is the toughest position as a freshman to get on the field. With Bivin's versatility, the first order of business will be to find whether center, tackle or guard is where he can best help the team. nois under current Notre Dame line coach Harry Hiestand. While watching Hiestand's teaching approach last spring on junior day, Bivin was instantly sold and quickly issued his verbal commitment to the Irish. "He's real down to earth," Bivin said of Hiestand. "You can tell that all he cares about is the o-line, and that's what you want. You don't want somebody who always has his eyes on other things, is always trying to move up to offensive coordinator or whatever. "He just does things basic. He makes things simple enough to get the job done, but complex enough to confuse the defense." Like Diehl, who has started at four different positions along the line for the Giants, Bivin is versatile. He could align at any position, and it was demonstrated during practices for the Under Armour All-American held Jan. 4 in St. Petersburg, Fla. Although Bivin's team had what many recruiting services consider the nation's No. 1 center, Darius James of Texas, Bivin was positioned there because former NFL head coach Herman Edwards classified him as the best lineman on the team, and he was named captain. "The first day they had James at center and me at tackle," Bivin said. "Halfway through the practice they flipped us and they said, 'Alright, that's what we're going to go with.' I'll play any five of the positions along the offensive line. "I had played center a little bit in my sophomore and junior year. It was the spread offense and I was making the calls, so I got my feet wet then." Bivin played left tackle as a junior, but when a left-handed quarterback started for Apollo in 2012, Bivin was switched to right tackle to protect his blind side. Irish head coach Brian Kelly said Bivin could be stationed on the inside or along the flanks. "I'm going there with an open mind, and I'm sure they are too," Bivin said. An open mind and plenty of heart. ✦