Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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26 MARCH 2017 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2017 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE Summary: Notre Dame offered only two tight ends in the 2017 class — Wright and Kmet. Wright was the priority, and Kmet outplayed other top targets at the Irish Invasion in June 2015, which earned him the sec- ond offer. Wright jumped on board first, pledging to the Irish that June. Kmet announced for the Irish that October, turning down Ohio State in order to join Wright in the class. On Paper Grade: A Rivals and ESPN rated Wright as the nation's top tight end. The Cy- press (Texas) Cy-Fair standout is a dominant blocker that possesses elite hands in the pass game. Wright is a quality route runner, and his speed is underrated. Expect the early enrollee to get immediate playing time. Kmet is more of a dual-threat player that can move around the for- mation and can handle himself in the run game from an H-back position. His all-around skills make him a per- fect complement to Wright. OFFENSIVE LINE Signed: Aaron Banks, Dillan Gib- bons, Robert Hainsey and Joshua Lugg Meeting Needs: Notre Dame added five total linemen in the two previous classes, but it came up a player short in both the 2015 and 2016 groups. The Irish needed a min- imum of four quality linemen in the 2017 class, and they met that goal. Summary: Irish line coach Harry Hiestand shot for the moon with this class, targeting several of the na- tion's top linemen, including Trey Smith (who signed with Tennessee), Jedrick Wills (Alabama) and Foster Sarell (Stanford), along with eventual signees Gibbons, Lugg and Hainsey. Gibbons was the first commitment in the class, making his pledge prior to his junior season. Lugg jumped on board in August 2015, and Hainsey committed to Notre Dame this past July. With those three in the fold, Hies- tand worked on finding a fourth line- man, and he set his sights on Banks. Despite never being considered Banks' leader, the Irish ultimately won his signature. On Paper Grade: A Lugg (No. 236 player nation- ally), Hainsey (No. 108) and Banks (No. 121) gave the Irish three Ri- vals250 signees. Only Alabama, Georgia, USC, Oklahoma and Flor- ida could match the group, and none surpassed it. Lugg is an outstanding left tackle prospect that thrived as a run blocker at Wexford (Pa.) North Allegheny, but he showed his pass-blocking prowess during a dominant week of practice leading up to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Hainsey thrived at left tackle for national powerhouse Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy the last two sea- sons. He's a technician that projects best at guard, but he possesses the ability to play both tackle and guard spots for the Irish. Banks was a standout at tackle as a junior and then guard as a senior. He is a unique combination of elite size (6-5, 320) and athleticism. Gibbons is not quite the athlete of his class- mates, but he's a physical player that bullies opponents on the field. DEFENSIVE LINE Signed: Darnell Ewell, Kurt Hin- ish, Jonathon MacCollister, Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa and Kofi Ward- low Meeting Needs: The Irish landed four high-quality ends in the 2016 class, but the failure to sign a single end in the 2015 class meant another good year was needed. Notre Dame's four-man haul of defensive tackles in 2015 was solid, but then the Irish failed to land a single interior player in last year's class. Notre Dame needed to add depth of talent to the interior of its line and to bring in at least two more edge rushers. The effort went all the way up to National Signing Day, but in the end the Irish met those needs. Summary: Notre Dame targeted a number of talented ends early on, but its 2016 defensive struggles cost it on the recruiting trail. The Irish staff was able to haul in MacCollister during his unofficial June visit for the Irish Invasion, but it wasn't until National Signing Day that it was able to land a second end when Wardlow — a Maryland commit — signed. Ewell was a prime target from the outset, and that Notre Dame beat Ohio State, Clemson, Alabama and Michigan for his services was a ma- jor coup. Ewell joined Hinish, who committed to Notre Dame in March following a Junior Day visit. Land- ing Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa on Na- tional Signing Day capped the group off. On Paper Grade: B- Ewell is the top defensive player in the class, finishing as Rivals No. 139 overall player in the country. He's a physically imposing defender that has the size (6-4, 280) and power to make an immediate impact. Ewell projects more as a nose tackle in this defense, but he can play either inside spot. Hinish and Tagovailoa-Amosa are complements to Ewell. Both are tough but neither possesses his power. What they do have is a com- bination of strength and agility. Both Hinish and Tagovailoa-Amosa were double-digit sackers as seniors, us- ing their strong hands, quickness and pass-rushing instincts to excel. MacCollister and Wardlow are in- triguing players. Neither is polished, and both will need time to develop more size and strength while also improving their technique. However, they each have excellent athleticism and the potential to develop into quality pass rushers. Wardlow's up- side is especially high. LINEBACKER Signed: David Adams and Drew White Meeting Needs: Notre Dame has recruited the linebacker position well recently, which meant the staff could Pittsburgh Central Catholic middle linebacker David Adams is one of the top players in a deep and talented front six haul. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM