Blue & Gold Illustrated: 2012 Notre Dame Football Preview
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/699309
158 ✦ BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2016 FOOTBALL PREVIEW TERRIFIC 20 FOR 2017 THE SKINNY: Cage is the younger brother of Notre Dame junior nose guard Dan- iel Cage, but he is commit- ted to Ohio State … While he states that he's solid on his pledge to the Buckeyes, he continues to take trips to South Bend and said in May that an official visit could happen … He is also considering Michigan State. HUNTER ECHOLS 6-4, 220 • LOS ANGELES • CATHEDRAL RIVALS RANKING: Tabbed as a four-star prospect, the No. 34 recruit in California and the nation's No. 17 defensive end. JUNIOR NUMBERS: Haunted opposing backfields, racking up 77 total stops, 27 tackles for loss and 17 sacks. THE SKINNY: Echols is committed to UCLA, but called Notre Dame a "dream school" of sorts when he landed an offer from the Irish in April … He visited Notre Dame for the Irish Invasion in June and said that a return trip could be in the works, possibly for an official visit … Notes that he likes the environment in South Bend. DALYN WADE-PERRY 6-2, 326 • SPARTA, N.J. • POPE JOHN XXIII RIVALS RANKING: Rated as a three-star recruit, the No. 6 prospect in New Jersey and the No. 20 defensive tackle in the nation. JUNIOR NUMBERS: Totaled 40 tackles and three sacks in eight games. THE SKINNY: Has been compared to former Irish defensive tackle Sheldon Day … The three-technique linemen is favoring Stanford and Notre Dame, but also likes Ohio State and Penn State … He returned to South Bend in June after visiting for a game during the season. LINEBACKER BARON BROWNING 6-3, 230 • KENNEDALE, TEXAS • KENNEDALE RIVALS RANKING: Regarded as a four-star prospect, the No. 5 recruit in Texas, and the No. 3 outside linebacker and No. 46 overall player nationally. JUNIOR NUMBERS: Posted 74 tackles, four forced fumbles and two interceptions. THE SKINNY: The one-time Baylor commit was in South Bend for the Irish Invasion in June … In early April, he named a top 10 of Alabama, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, TCU, Texas, UCLA and USC, and is considered by many a lock to stay in Texas … Notre Dame, however, has gained some traction in the recruitment … Offensive coordinator Mike Sanford recruited Browning's older brother to Stanford and knows the family. JACOB PHILLIPS 6-3, 231 • NASHVILLE, TENN. • EAST NASHVILLE MAGNET RIVALS RANKING: Tabbed as a four-star prospect, the No. 7 player in Tennessee, and the No. 9 inside linebacker and No. 190 overall recruit in the country. JUNIOR NUMBERS: Compiled 122 tackles and an interception. THE SKINNY: Notre Dame is high on Phillips because of his pass rushing skills and ability to get to the quarterback from the edge … He was in South Bend for a Junior Day in March and said in April that he will likely return for another visit, although no dates have been set … Oklahoma is believed to be a leader of sorts, but the Irish are just as much of a player along with Ole Miss and Kentucky. CORNERBACK PAULSON ADEBO 6-1, 174 • MANSFIELD, TEXAS • MANSFIELD RIVALS RANKING: Ranked as a three-star prospect, the No. 44 recruit in Texas and the na- tion's No. 53 wide receiver. JUNIOR NUMBERS: Caught 41 passes for 730 yards and 11 touchdowns, and added five interceptions on defense. THE SKINNY: Adebo plays both offense and defense, but the Irish like him on the bound- ary at cornerback … He visited Notre Dame in March with his mother for a Junior Day and said in early May that a second visit is in the works … On June 19, the 3.9 student pledged to the Irish over Baylor, TCU, LSU, Oregon, Duke and Oklahoma. ELIJAH GATES 5-10, 170 • BUENA PARK, CALIF. • BUENA PARK RIVALS RANKING: Listed as a three-star prospect, the No. 54 recruit in California and the No. 48 cornerback in the country. JUNIOR NUMBERS: The two- way player had 19 tackles and seven passes broken up on defense, to go along with 747 yards of total offense and 10 touchdowns. THE SKINNY: Notre Dame loves Gates' speed and that's why he was on campus for the Irish Invasion in June after landing an offer from the staff back in February … The Irish appear to be an early favorite, but Oregon has also hosted Gates while UCLA, Michigan and TCU all continue to remain in contact. THOMAS GRAHAM 5-10, 173 • RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIF. • RANCHO CUCAMONGA RIVALS RANKING: Graded out as a four-star prospect, the No. 7 recruit in California, and the nation's No. 6 cornerback and No. 53 overall player. JUNIOR NUMBERS: Collected 103 tackles, four fumble re- coveries and one interception, which was re- turned for a touchdown. THE SKINNY: Graham visited Notre Dame in March while committed to USC, but quickly backed off that pledge once returning to Southern California … He hasn't named a set list of leaders since, but the Irish are believed to be in the top group along with UCLA … Graham will return with his parents for an official visit the weekend of the Michigan State game. SAFETY CHAZ AH YOU 6-1, 185 • PROVO, UTAH • TIMPVIEW RIVALS RANKING: Listed as a four-star prospect, the No. 2 recruit in Utah, and the No. 11 safety and the No. 115 overall player in the land. JUNIOR NUMBERS: Registered 52 tackles and two intercep- tions. THE SKINNY: Ah You lists Notre Dame as a favorite along with Oregon, Stanford, USC, BYU, Utah, Oklahoma and Mississippi State … The rangy safety was in South Bend with his father for a Junior Day in March and left campus guaranteeing that he would return for an official visit … He's one of Notre Dame's top targets at safety. AMARI CARTER 6-2, 180 • PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLA. • PALM BEACH GARDENS RIVALS RANKING: Rated as a three-star talent, the No. 85 prospect in Florida and the No. 35 safety nationally. JUNIOR NUMBERS: Registered 55 tackles and three intercep- tions. THE SKINNY: Notre Dame has signed back- to-back recruits out of Palm Beach Gardens in linebacker Te'von Coney and safety Devin Studstill, which means Carter has plenty of ties to the Irish … He was on campus for the Irish Invasion in June and lists Notre Dame as a favorite along with Miami, Duke and Clem- son … The Irish will have to fend off the Hur- ricanes, who are pitching the local angle. ✦