Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com PRESEASON 2017 77 BY COREY BODDEN Bowling Green (Ky.) South War- ren 2019 defensive tackle Jacob Lacey announced a top six on July 24 that consisted of Notre Dame, Clemson, Michigan, Michigan State, Tennessee and Louisville, and noted a commit- ment would follow shortly. He wasn't kidding. Five days later, the 6-2, 295-pounder ended his recruit- ment early by selecting the Fighting Irish, the perceived favorite since he landed an offer in June of 2016 at the Irish Invasion. Lacey's pledge gave Notre Dame its second commitment in the 2019 class, following Nevada quarterback Cade McNamara. "Notre Dame was one of the very first schools I got in contact with going into my sophomore year," Lacey told Blue & Gold Illustrated. "When I went to a camp there was just something very different about that place. My cousin [the late Dave Duerson] played there back in the day, and I just had that feel- ing when I went there. "Coach Mike Elston is one of the best defensive line coaches I've ever seen. The players are just like me, and that's who I want to be around in the classroom and on the field. "Notre Dame is growing, and they are going to be very, very good. I don't see why anyone could go anywhere else." The decision was more than just football, which made it easier for Lacey. "All the six schools have great foot- ball," he explained. "I knew I wanted to get great football and a great educa- tion, and that's what set Notre Dame apart. "My family comes from a group of teachers, so it's in my blood to have some type of great education." Lacey gave the staff the good news the evening of July 28, but the Rivals four-star was thinking Notre Dame for some time. "I've kind of known for two weeks," Lacey said. "It really hit me hard on Tuesday [July 25]. I told my dad I was ready, and we went with it. … We face- timed Coach Elston, and they were at a get-together. "Coach [Brian] Kelly was there, and Coach Elston gave him the phone. I committed right there. All the coaches were together, and it was very exciting. "It was kind of like a bunch of big kids hugging each other and scream- ing. It was like someone just scored the game-winning touchdown. It was really cool." Elston has been the main contact for Lacey right from the start, which helped when the staff changes were made after last season. "He was recruiting me from the be- ginning even though Coach [Keith] Gilmore was the defensive line coach when I first got the scholarship," Lacey said. "We've talked a lot. He's one of the best coaches I've met. He's really helped me and my family through ev- erything." Notre Dame's 4-8 season didn't have much impact on Lacey, even with the defending national champions push- ing hard as well. "I don't really worry about those things," he said. "To me, it's more about the coaches and players you will be playing with. If you have that then you'll have a great program and get back on top. "When they had that bad season, there was a little bit of something there. But once I went up there again, I saw that they have something special going up there." Lacey, who is ranked as the No. 9 de- fensive tackle and No. 231 player na- tionally by Rivals, visited Notre Dame several times since landing the offer last summer, including multiple game visits plus offseason trips this spring and summer. The last came July 16. After his sophomore season, Lacey was a second-team selection on the Louisville (Ky.) Courier-Journal's All- State Football Team. ✦ FILM ANALYSIS Strengths Jacob Lacey has elite size already, checking in this summer at 6-3 and 294 pounds … Once he reshapes his body and physically matures, he should easily eclipse 300 pounds … Shows elite strength for his age, possesses strong hands and packs a powerful punch … Lower body strength is impressive — he is a bull off the line … Dominates the run with his combination of power, size and initial quickness, and shows a good burst at the snap, which he uses to reset the line of scrimmage and disrupt … Plays with a good motor and displays good closing speed … Projects as a nose tackle now, but with more work he can play either interior spot at a high level. Areas For Improvement He's still young so his body needs a lot of reshaping … Will need to work on foot quick- ness, especially when moving laterally … Hand strength is impressive, but he doesn't always shoot them as quickly as he needs to … Pass- rushing repertoire has room for improvement. — Bryan Driskell COMMITMENT PROFILE JACOB LACEY Education Set Notre Dame Apart For 2019 Kentucky DT Rivals ranks Lacey as a four-star talent, and the No. 9 defensive tackle and No. 231 overall prospect in the rising junior class. PHOTO BY COREY BODDEN