Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/638727
2016 RECRUITING ISSUE Lemming: "Maybe Tony Jones Jr. could come in early at running back, depending on the depth there. I think Javon McKinley is an outstanding re- ceiver; he has the ability to be an im- pact player. "[Defensive back] Donté Vaughn is outstanding — all the defensive backs have a chance. Daelin Hayes if he's healthy." BGI: Who's a prospect you see as a late- bloomer, one who might eventually outper- form their high school rankings? Farrell: "Kevin Stepherson. He is so sudden and so quick; he's just not very strong. But he's such a dynamic one- cut guy that I think they can use him in a lot of different situations. "[Defensive end] Julian Okwara is another guy that still needs to fill out, which will take a while, but when he does I think he has a real good chance of being special." Wiltfong: "I know Notre Dame is really excited about [quarterback] Ian Book, and he's not going to be asked to play for a while. He's a guy that when his number is called, maybe he can be a veteran that steps in and is talented, and knows the system. "He's a guy that people maybe aren't talking about enough as a late- bloomer candidate because he'll get a chance to settle in." Lemming: "[Wide receiver] Chase Claypool will be a late-bloomer. I think with coaching, he's got the height, length and hands to be a really good player. "He could develop into a Michael Floyd-type guy." BGI: What do you think is Notre Dame's strongest position group in this class? Farrell: "I like the defensive backs and the offensive line. I know they don't have a ton on the line, but I like all three of those guys. They're willing to get physical and are aggressive with excellent size. "Then the DB group is very deep. Based on quality, I'd say that offen- sive line would be in the top seven or eight nationally, then the size of the DB group also puts them in the seven to eight range." Wiltfong: "I like what Notre Dame did on the offensive line. I think they got two sure-fire big timers in Krae- mer and Eichenberg, and then you've got a tough guy in Parker Boudreaux. "I'm confident the guys on the line are going to be exactly what we think they're going to be, and that's damn good players. It's only three, but I think that group is right up there with anybody." Lemming: "Defensive backs. They needed a lot of help in the secondary; they don't have any 'impact' players in the secondary at all. They're hoping from the volume they signed that one or two of those guys develop at an elite level. "Both Donté Vaughn and Troy Pride are terrific and have a chance to be stars." BGI: Are there any Notre Dame as- sistant coaches who you thought made national waves on the recruiting trail this year? Farrell: "Notre Dame does not have