Blue & Gold Illustrated: 2012 Notre Dame Football Preview
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/699309
156 ✦ BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2016 FOOTBALL PREVIEW BY ANDREW IVINS N otre Dame might have gotten off to a bit of a slow start with the class of 2016, but the class of 2017 has been a completely different story. The Irish were able to land pledges from Texan Brock Wright, Rivals' No. 1 tight end in the nation; Pennsylvania native Josh Lugg, the country's No. 31 offensive tackle; and three- star offensive guard Dillan Gibbons from Florida all before they kicked off the 2015 season. As of June 21, the Irish had secured verbal commitments from 13 recruits and stood at No. 7 in Rivals' team rankings. Despite the early commitments, one posi- tion group still remained much of a mystery heading into the summer recruiting months and that was the offensive line. Sure, line coach Harry Hiestand might have found himself two serviceable bodies in Lugg and Gibbons, but after taking just two offensive linemen in 2015 and three in 2016, Notre Dame has room — and a desire — to add at least two or three more tackles in the class. "Probably our biggest need is to go back onto the offensive line," Kelly said on Na- tional Signing Day. "I think we've put our- selves in a position of balance, balancing all position groups. But O-line, we're going to have to fill that back up." Blue & Gold Illustrated's early summer "Terrific 20" reflects that. Hiestand and the rest of the Irish coaching staff spent much of the spring evaluation period navigating the country to check up on top offensive line targets. If everything went as planned, a handful of them will be part of the prospects inking paperwork with the Irish on National Sign- ing Day Feb. 1, 2017. Here are some names to know for Notre Dame this recruiting cycle. RUNNING BACK ROBERT BURNS 5-11, 215 • CORAL GABLES, FLA. • GULLIVER PREP RIVALS RANKING: Rated as a three-star prospect, the No. 66 player in Florida and the No. 18 running back in the nation. JUNIOR NUMBERS: Injury filled season limited him to 145 rushing yards and two touchdowns in four games of action. THE SKINNY: Burns has been committed to Miami since February 2015 … He vis- ited Notre Dame for a Junior Day in March and said that the Irish were one of the only schools outside of Miami that he's still con- sidering … The powerful back is expected to return for an official visit and is a flip candidate. WIDE RECEIVER TARIK BLACK 6-3, 201 • CHESHIRE, CONN. • CHESHIRE ACADEMY RIVALS RANKINGS: Listed as a four-star talent, the No. 1 recruit in Connecticut, and the No. 17 wide receiver and No. 125 overall prospect in the country. JUNIOR NUMBERS: Caught nine passes for 172 yards and three touch- downs, and averaged 34.7 yards a punt return. THE SKINNY: Black is Notre Dame's top "big" wide receiver target on the board … In April, he named a top five of Notre Dame, Stanford, UCLA, Alabama and Michigan, but said in a later interview that he's favoring the West Coast schools … He visited with both parents for a Junior Day in March and returned in the summer for another visit. OSIRIS ST. BROWN 6-2, 188 • SANTA ANA, CALIF. • MATER DEI RIVALS RANKING: Tabbed as a four-star recruit, the No. 16 player in California, and the No. 15 wide receiver and No. 121 overall prospect in the land. JUNIOR NUMBERS: Hauled in 43 passes for 884 yards and 12 touchdowns. THE SKINNY: The younger brother of Notre Dame sophomore wide receiver Equanime- ous St. Brown was offered by the Irish dur- ing Brian Kelly's in-home visit with the family in 2015 … He named Notre Dame a favorite along with Stanford in late May and plans to take an official visit to both schools. DONOVAN PEOPLES-JONES 6-1, 188 • DETROIT • CASS TECH RIVALS RANKING: Pegged as a five-start talent, the No. 1 prospect in Michigan, and the nation's No. 2 wide receiver and No. 13 overall recruit. JUNIOR NUMBERS: Toasted opposing defenses for 855 yards and 12 scores on 41 catches, and added three punt return touchdowns. THE SKINNY: People-Jones has long been a priority for the Irish and Kelly … The head coach has visited Cass Tech multiple times during evaluation periods and that in turn had Peoples-Jones in South Bend for the Blue-Gold Game … He named a top 10 that included the Irish in early Febru- ary, but many believe that Michigan is the team to beat … Still, Kelly and Co. have positioned themselves to land a visit from the 4.0 student who wants to be a surgeon after football. OFFENSIVE LINE WYATT DAVIS 6-3, 328 • BELLFLOWER, CALIF. • ST. JOHN BOSCO RIVALS RANKING: Rated as a five-star prospect, the No. 3 player in California, and the No. 1 offensive guard and No. 19 overall recruit in the land. THE SKINNY: Davis was one of the first prospects offered in the cycle … He released a top 15 in early April that included Notre Dame and then got his first look at South Bend in June … Stanford is rumored to be the biggest threat to the Irish, but Ohio State, Washington and Michigan are also involved. FOSTER SARELL 6-6, 315 • GRAHAM, WASH. • GRAHAM-KAPOWSIN RIVALS RANKING: Rated as a four-star talent, the No. 1 recruit in Washing- ton, and the nation's No. 6 offensive tackle and No. 26 overall player. THE SKINNY: Sarell might not be one that talks much with the media, but those in his camp TOP TARGETS The Irish are looking to add a number of talented offensive linemen TERRIFIC 20 FOR 2017