Blue and Gold Illustrated

August 2017

Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football

Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/851047

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 36 of 63

www.BLUEANDGOLD.com AUGUST 2017 37 PREP PROFILES Etiwanda (Calif.) High three-star receiver Geordon Porter picked up his offer from Notre Dame June 14, and soon after said the Irish had made a major move in his recruitment. On July 11, Porter released a list of his top seven schools, and the Irish made the cut along with Utah, Cali- fornia, Colorado, Arizona State, Ala- bama and UCLA. Porter's father, George, was a track All-American at USC from 1987-90, but was thrilled that his son received an offer from the Trojans' archrival. "It's just a huge program with a na- tional base," the elder Porter said of Notre Dame. "If he wants to make it to the pros one day, all eyes would be on him. I like that the offense is designed in such a way that they really seem to know exactly what they're looking for." Like his father, Porter also is a track standout and possesses outstanding speed. The 6-2, 175-pounder report- edly runs a 4.5 40-yard dash, 10.6 in the 100-yard dash and was Etiwan- da's leading receiver with 33 catches for 512 yards (15.5 yards per recep- tion) and five touchdowns during his junior campaign. George Porter said he's confident that his son could flourish in Notre Dame's offense. "I think it's been made really clear that they need a receiver who can be a home run hitter, and they feel that Geordon has the capabilities to be that type of player," he explained. "Notre Dame knows how to use a receiver with his skill set. "They like that type of receiver, and they're clear on what attributes they need and what their goals are." BGI football analyst Bryan Driskell noted that Porter 's speed translates quite well on the gridiron. "He shows a very good initial burst, but his acceleration is truly elite," he said. "Porter can take the top off any defense and trying to de- fend him one-on-one on the outside is a risky proposition." Porter is already in the process of planning an official visit to South Bend, and said that trip will likely occur for one of Notre Dame's Sep- tember home games. "Obviously it's a great school with great academics," Porter said. "I just want to see the area around there and see all the opportunities around there so if I was to commit there I'd be happy with it. I just want to see everything around there to see if it's a great fit for me." — David McKinney In late May, Blairstown (N.J.) Blair Academy defensive end Jayson Oweh cut his list down to a top 10. Now, the 6-5, 240-pounder is down to three programs — Ohio State, Notre Dame and Penn State. However, Oweh said that the schools are "really, really close." "They have their own benefits," Oweh explained. "I can't make a de- cision without visiting all three this month. "I'm trying to get those visits in and make a decision soon," he added. "They are the schools that are the best athletically or athletically and academically. They are schools that are going to help me better my- self in those areas." Oweh has played only one year of organized football, but it was an im- pressive one. He compiled 42 tackles, 12 stops behind the line of scrimmage and seven sacks in eight games dur- ing his junior season at Blair Acad- emy. Rivals lists him as a four-star talent, the No. 6 recruit in the Gar- den State, and the No. 12 strongside defensive end and No. 217 overall prospect nationally. A decision is likely to occur some- time this August after Oweh makes this final round of visits. He is eyeing July 15 to attend Penn State's "Lasch Bash," July 21 for Ohio State's "Fri- day Night Lights" and Notre Dame potentially July 20. The return trip to South Bend will be about building relationships. He first visited during the weekend of Irish Invasion June 10-11. Oweh listed Notre Dame's combination of academics and athletics along with the program's strong alumni base and television exposure among the reasons the Irish are high on his list. "I'm trying to get a better grasp on the coaching staff," Oweh said. "I want to know how they really act and their coaching styles. Just get a really good relationship." Oweh communicates often with defensive line coach Mike Elston and head coach Brian Kelly. The staff is pushing hard for the talented defen- sive end. "I really like Coach Elston," Oweh said. "He's a really cool guy and keeps it real. They have been tell- ing me that I'm their No. 1 defensive target and that Notre Dame provides the best opportunity among the schools I'm looking at. "It gives you a strong academic and athletic structure, and I'll always get exposure because of their televi- sion deal. I'd also get the develop- ment I need to help take my game to the next level." — David McKinney Speedy California Receiver Likes Notre Dame Big-Time Defensive End Has The Irish In His Final Three JAYSON OWEH ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Blair Academy Blairstown, N.J. Status: Offered Class: 2018 Position: Defensive end Ht.: 6-5 • Ht.: 240 Rivals Rankings: No. 6 recruit in New Jersey, and No. 12 strongside defensive end and No. 217 overall player in the country GEORDON PORTER ✪ ✪ ✪ Etiwanda H.S. Etiwanda, Calif. Status: Offered Class: 2018 Position: Wide receiver Ht.: 6-2 • Wt.: 175 Rivals Rankings: No. 38 player in California and No. 63 wide receiver nationally "PORTER CAN TAKE THE TOP OFF ANY DEFENSE AND TRYING TO DEFEND HIM ONE-ON-ONE ON THE OUTSIDE IS A RISKY PROPOSITION." BGI FOOTBALL ANALYST BRYAN DRISKELL

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Blue and Gold Illustrated - August 2017