Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1039349
46 OCT. 29, 2018 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED FOOTBALL RECRUITING ROUNDUP RECRUITING NOTES • After opening his recruitment following a year-plus pledge to Georgia, 2019 linebacker JD Bertrand of Roswell (Ga.) Blessed Trinity took an unofficial visit to Notre Dame when the Irish hosted Pittsburgh Oct. 13. The 6-1, 210-pounder, who Rivals ranks as the No. 12 inside linebacker and No. 247 overall player nationally, made the trip without an offer in hand. It marked his second visit to South Bend, with the other occurring for the Virginia Tech game in 2016. Adding another linebacker in 2019 was something the Irish hoped to do, but after multiple top targets went elsewhere Notre Dame put that objective on the backburner. However, the Irish appear open to recruit- ing another linebacker if the fit is there and Bertrand could be their target. Florida, LSU, Wisconsin, Stanford and Tennessee are among the other offers for the four-star talent, and it wouldn't be a surprise if Notre Dame were to tender him. • Defensive end remains a top priority for the Irish in the 2019 class, and Concord (Calif.) De La Salle star Isaiah Foskey, the No. 133 overall player nationally per Rivals, is the top target at the position. Phoenix O'Connor defensive end Bralen Trice was another recruit the staff pushed hard for, but the four- star prospect committed to Washington over Notre Dame and Oregon Oct. 6. Foskey has always been a top target, but the Irish continue to monitor other potential prospects. Former TCU commit, Myron Warren of Many (La.) High, has heard from Notre Dame and could add an offer down the line. An expansion of the board could take place this fall. The Irish are in a good position right now for Foskey following his official Sept. 29, but the talented senior plans to take more visits and will likely decide later in the process. — Corey Bodden and David McKinney Commitment Updates Games played Oct. 5-6 unless otherwise noted • WR Kendall Abdur-Rahman: Accounted for four touchdowns and 186 yards of total offense in a 56-20 win for Edwardsville (Ill.) High (4-3) over Belleville (Ill.) East (1-6). Next game: vs. Belleville (Ill.) West (6-1). • S Litchfield Ajavon: Recorded four tackles to help Alexandria (Va.) Episcopal (4-0) notch a 21-5 victory versus Alexandria (Va.) St. Stephen's & St. Agnes (4-2). Next game: vs. Washington (D.C.) St. Albans (1-4). • TE Kevin Bauman (2020): Notched three receptions for 71 yards while helping Red Bank (N.J.) Catholic (6-0) defeat Long Branch (N.J.) High (4-1) 41-14. Next game: vs. Rumson (N.J.) Rumson-Fair Haven (5-0) Oct. 19. • P Jay Bramblett: Completed 18 of 25 passes for 326 yards with five touchdowns while also rushing for 66 yards and one score in a 53-34 win for Tuscaloosa (Ala.) Hillcrest (3-4) against Bessemer (Ala.) City (4-2). Next game: at McAdory (Ala.) High (7-0). • OL Quinn Carroll: Helped Edina (Minn.) High (5-1) defeat Minnetonka (Minn.) High (4-2) 21-7. Next game: vs Maple Grove (Minn.) High (2-4). • QB Brendon Clark: Connected on 6 of 18 throws for 102 yards with a touchdown while also rushing for 50 yards and two scores on 10 attempts to lead Midlothian (Va.) Manchester (5-0) to a 51-0 victory versus Richmond (Va.) Huguenot (2-4). Next game: vs. Chesterfield (Va.) Bird (6-0). • OL Zeke Correll: Helped pave the way for more than 400 total yards of offense, including 339 through the air, in a 42-28 triumph for Cincinnati Anderson (7-2) against Cincinnati West Clermont (3-4). Next game: vs. Cincinnati Turpin (5-2). • DE Howard Cross: Recorded seven tackles and a sack, but Montvale (N.J.) St. Joseph's (4-2) fell 24-20 to Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic (5-1). Next game: at Ramsey (N.J.) Don Bosco Prep (3-3). • LB Osita Ekwonu: Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day (4-3) posted a 63-0 win over Huntersville (N.C.) Christ The King (0-8). Next game: at Charlotte (N.C.) Country Day School (4-3). • S Kyle Hamilton: Racked up 129 receiving yards and two touchdowns in less than a half of play while helping Atlanta Marist (6-1) defeat Oakwood (Ga.) West Hall (2-5) 51-14. Next game: vs. Alpharetta (Ga.) Denmark (4-3). • WR Cam Hart: Olney (Md.) Good Counsel (5-1) claimed a 38-31 win over Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga (6-1). Next game: at Washington (D.C.) St. John's (6-0). • LB Jack Kiser: Accounted for seven touchdowns and 286 yards of total offense, while also recovering a fumble, to lead Royal Center (Ind.) Pioneer (8-0) to a 72-0 victory versus Culver (Ind.) Community. Next game: at North Judson (Ind.) San Pierre (4-4). • OL Andrew Kristofic: Part of an offensive line that helped Gibsonia (Pa.) Pine-Richland (5-1) accumulate 414 total yards in a 38-7 win over Canonsburg (Pa.) Canon-McMillan (2-4). Next game: vs. Pittsburgh Mt. Lebanon (3-4). • DT Jacob Lacey: Picked up eight tackles, including four for loss and two sacks, to lead Bowl- ing Green (Ky.) South Warren (8-0) to a 21-0 victory over Brentwood (Tenn.) Ravenwood (6-1). Next game: vs. Bowling Green (Ky.) High (6-0). • TE Michael Mayer (2020): Caught four passes for 129 yards and two scores, and also re- turned an interception 60 yards for a touchdown, to help Alexandria (Ky.) Covington Catholic (7-0) defeat Indianapolis Bishop Chatard (6-2) 52-36. Next game: at Fort Thomas (Ky.) Highlands (6-1). • OL John Olmstead: Helped pave the way for 443 total yards in a 43-0 win for Metuchen (N.J.) St. John's (6-1) against Somerville (N.J.) Immaculata (4-2). Next game: vs. Monmouth Junction (N.J.) South Brunswick (4-2). • DE NaNa Osafo-Mensah: Made three tackles, but Fort Worth (Texas) Nolan Catholic (5-1) suffered a 48-24 loss to Dallas Bishop Lynch (3-2). Next game: at Argyle (Texas) Liberty Christian (2-3). • QB Drew Pyne: Completed 23 of 37 passes for 201 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in a 42-14 loss by New Canaan (Conn.) High (3-2) versus Greenwich (Conn.) High (4-0). Next game: at Stamford (Conn.) Trinity Catholic (0-5). • DL Hunter Spears: Contributed three tackles for loss while helping Sachse (Texas) High (3- 3) notch a 49-0 victory over Garland (Texas) High (1-5). Next game: vs. Garland (Texas) North Garland (4-2). • CB K.J. Wallace: Rushed for 93 yards and a touchdown on nine carries plus recorded two sacks in a 43-14 win by Atlanta Lovett (3-4) against Stone Mountain (Ga.) High (0-6). Next game: vs. Atlanta Pace Academy (4-3). • RB Kyren Williams: Had a 13-yard touchdown reception and five-yard touchdown run in St. Louis St. John Vianney's (6-2) 70-28 loss to St. Louis Christian Brothers (6-1). Next game: vs. St. Louis St. Mary's (3-4). Roswell (Ga.) Blessed Trinity linebacker JD Bertrand — a former longtime Georgia commit, and the No. 12 inside linebacker and No. 247 overall player nationally per Rivals — made an unofficial visit to Notre Dame for the Pittsburgh game Oct. 13. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM Follow @BGI_CoreyBodden and @BGI_DMcKinney on Twitter for daily updates on BlueandGold.com!