Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com MARCH 2017 39 2017 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY MATT JONES Notre Dame has had its eye on Darnell Ewell since he was a fresh- man in high school. As it turns out, Ewell also had serious interest in the Irish from a young age. The Irish eventually landed the 6-4, 280-pound Norfolk (Va.) Lake Tay- lor High defensive tackle, who could end up being the most important re- cruit in Notre Dame's 2017 class. In need of difference makers along the defensive line, Notre Dame re- ceived a commitment from the four- star talent in July 2016, beating out perennial powers Alabama, Clem- son, Michigan and Ohio State. The Buckeyes made a push for him prior to his visit to Notre Dame's campus during the summer. He could have joined former Lake Taylor teammates Wayne Davis, a defensive back, and Jalyn Holmes, a defensive end, in Columbus, but opted to forge his own path with the Irish. "I picked Notre Dame because it was different from any other school," said Ewell, who was recruited by former Notre Dame assistants Keith G i l m o re a n d S c o t t Booker. "I really ex- perienced something different. I'd been told before to definitely come up and check the school and that I'll fall in love with it. "Coach Brian Kelly is a great coach. He saw greatness in me, and if it wasn't for the staff I wouldn't be having this opportunity." According to The Vi rg i n i a n - P i l o t , t h e 18-year-old Ewell is the first South Hamp- ton Roads player to commit to Notre Dame since Salem's Isaiah Gardner in 2003. At the time of his commitment, Ewell was the 16th player to pledge to the Irish. Through a 4-8 season in 2016 and the ensuing coaching turn- over, Ewell remained committed to Notre Dame. Ewell was a two-way standout for Lake Taylor, doubling as a dominant left guard for the Titans. He played alongside his younger brother Den- zel, who is the team's starting left tackle. Ewell took his offi- cial visit to Notre Dame in December for the Echoes Awards banquet. Though he was re- cruited heavily by the top programs in Vir- ginia, he said he had his heart set on leaving the state to play his col- lege football. "He grew up lik- ing Notre Dame, and I don't think he even be- lieved he would get the offer. He told me from time to time over the last two years, 'Coach, I would like to get that Notre Dame offer,'" Lake Tay- lor head coach Hank Sawyer told Vir- giniaPreps.com. "I said to him, 'Is that where you're going to go to school?' "He said, 'I'm not necessarily say- ing that, but I've always liked what they stood for.'" ✦ DARNELL EWELL DEFENSIVE TACKLE 6-4 · 280 LAKE TAYLOR H.S. NORFOLK, VA. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 139 9 6 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 179 14 4 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 209 15 6 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 146 7 5 MEASURABLES • Recorded a 5.55-second 40-yard dash, a 4.95-second pro shuttle time and a 28-inch verti- cal jump at Nike Football The Opening Regional in Charlotte, N.C., on April 26, 2016. STATISTICS • As a senior, notched 44 tackles, three sacks and three forced fumbles. • Was also a key blocker on an offense that racked up 4,393 total yards and averaged 42.5 points per game en route to an 11-2 record. HONORS • Selected first-team All-USA Virginia as an of- fensive lineman by USA Today following his senior campaign. • Named to the 2016 Virginia High School League Group 4A All-State first team as an offensive lineman. • Chosen to The Virginian-Pilot's All-Tidewater team following his senior year. • Tabbed as a first-team All-Conference 17 per- former on offense and defense. • Selected first-team all-region in 4A East Region. • Name The Virginian-Pilot's No. 4 overall South Hampton Roads area recruit. • Rated No. 15 on The Roanoke Times' list of the top 25 players in Virginia. • Ranked as the country's No. 170 overall pros- pect and the No. 8 defensive tackle by Tom Lem- ming's Prep Football Report. • Listed as a four-star member of the PrepStar Top 300 Dream Team, ranked as the No. 153 player in the class of 2017 and the No. 8 offensive guard. ALL-STAR GAMES AND CAMPS • Participated in at Nike Football The Opening Regional in Charlotte, N.C., on April 26, 2016. RECRUITMENT • Committed to Notre Dame on July 15, 2016, over Ohio State, Michigan, Clemson and Alabama. • Visited Notre Dame one time before com- mitting. • Officially visited for the Echoes Awards ban- quet Dec. 9-11. • Primary Notre Dame recruiter was former tight ends coach and special teams coordinator Scott Booker. NOTABLE • Born on June 17, 1998. • Became the fourth Virginia prospect in the Brian Kelly era to sign with the Irish. 2017 PROJECTION • Ewell's size and physicality will give him an opportunity to earn immediate playing time at defensive tackle. THEY SAID IT Head coach Brian Kelly: "He's a guy that is pre- pared and wants to play immediately. We're not going to tell him anything different. "He's got the physical traits and he's got the mindset. That's what we really like about Darnell." Defensive line coach Mike Elston: "He's this real long arms, thick upper body football player. He's very powerful and his lower body is powerful, so he's got great power angles and able to keep good leverage on blocks. "He's very challenging to move when he comes off the football. He's a guy that will flourish from just spending 100 percent of the time on one side of the ball." BGI football analyst Bryan Driskell: "Ewell is one of the most powerful defensive tackles in the country, and he should be able to help out right away at Notre Dame. His size and power will play quite well in defensive coordinator Mike Elko's at- tack thanks to his quick first step and elite power. "He is a high effort player with a thick frame. His game is about aggression, and his run game pro- duction is outstanding. His technique needs work, and at times he will allow blockers to get into his body, but when he gets his hands on an opponent he is going to win that battle." Darnell Ewell Is A Big Get For Notre Dame's Defensive Future Rivals rates Ewell as the No. 9 defensive tackle in the senior class. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM