Blue & Gold Illustrated: 2012 Notre Dame Football Preview
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/699309
BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2016 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ✦ 157 TERRIFIC 20 FOR 2017 continue to say that the Irish are one of his top schools along with Washington and Stanford … He was at Notre Dame in June for the Irish Invasion and will likely return for an official visit, although that was uncertain entering the summer … Academics will play a factor in his final decision. TREY SMITH 6-4, 270 • JACKSON, TENN. • UNIVERSITY SCHOOL RIVALS RANKING: Listed as a four-star prospect, the No. 11 recruit in Tennessee and the No. 32 offensive tackle in the country. THE SKINNY: Smith has been described by some in South Bend as the best "fit" at Notre Dame out of all the offensive linemen on the board … He was on campus for a spring practice in April and hinted the next month that an official visit is likely, although plans aren't set … Ole Miss, Tennessee, Clemson and Ohio State are also in the mix for Smith, who said a decision won't come until late in the process. ANDREW THOMAS 6-5, 285 • ATLANTA • PACE ACADEMY RIVALS RANKING: Graded out as a four-star prospect, the No. 10 player in Georgia, and the No. 10 offensive tackle and No. 67 overall recruit in the land. THE SKINNY: Thomas is a prototypical left tackle … He visited Notre Dame for a Ju- nior Day in March, but then named Clemson and Georgia as his co-leaders … There was talk of a decision coming in May, but he elected to push back that commitment date in order to visit Notre Dame again in June with both parents. JEDRICK WILLS 6-4, 305 • LEXINGTON, KY. • LAFAYETTE RIVALS RANKING: Hailed as a five-star talent, the top pros- pect in Kentucky, and the na- tion's No. 3 offensive tackle and No. 16 overall recruit. THE SKINNY: Wills has the position flexibility to play guard or tackle, which is what Hiestand wants in a lineman … He visited last summer for the Irish Invasion and returned in June with his parents for another visit … Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, LSU and Michigan are involved, but people inside Wills' camp say it's a Notre Dame-Kentucky battle. DEFENSIVE LINE ROBERT BEAL 6-3, 217 • NORCROSS, GA. • BRADENTON (FLA.) IMG ACADEMY RIVALS RANKING: Listed as a four-star talent, and the No. 3 weakside defensive end and No. 69 overall prospect na- tionally. JUNIOR NUMBERS: Had 59 tackles and five sacks at Nor- cross (Ga.) High. THE SKINNY: Beal is a household name for Notre Dame fans … The defensive end committed to the Irish in November, only to decommit a couple months later, citing family issues for the breakup and said Notre Dame wasn't going to be a factor moving forward … That changed again in May when he reached out to Notre Dame coaches and said that he wanted to visit campus again … The Irish are involved, but Alabama, Georgia and Florida State lead. JERRON CAGE 6-2, 279 • CINCINNATI • WINTON WOODS RIVALS RANKING: Graded out as a three-star prospect and the nation's No. 34 defensive tackle. JUNIOR NUMBERS: Posted 40 tackles and 10 sacks. *Use Promo Code: BGI30 BlueAndGold.com Football Recruiting Is HERE! * Daily Team Coverage Go behind the scenes with exclusive coverage on the Irish throughout the season. Expert Analysis In-depth analysis by our seasoned experts in the field. Recruiting Scoop Breaking news, team and individual rankings, features on every commitment, over 10 years of archived recruiting information. Prospect Videos See all of tomorrow's top Irish prospects in action on our top quality prospect videos. Expert Message Boards Interact with Notre Dame fans across the country and discuss the state of the Irish. Get The Rivals.com App! Providing you the best coverage of Notre Dame Football, Basketball, Recruiting and Sports – on the go! Available for Andorid and iOS.