Blue & Gold Illustrated: 2012 Notre Dame Football Preview
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158 ✦ BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2017 FOOTBALL PREVIEW BY DAVID MCKINNEY AND COREY BODDEN N otre Dame got off to a hot start in the class of 2018, and had 12 commitments as of mid-June. Over the next several months, the Irish coaching staff will be hard at work trying to fill the remaining spots in the class with elite talent. During that time, prospects will be mak- ing trips to South Bend for official visits, narrowing down their lists and eventually making their final decisions. The following is a look at 10 of the top remaining targets on Notre Dame's board and a summary of where the Irish stood in their recruitments heading into the summer. OFFENSE WIDE RECEIVER KEVIN AUSTIN 6-3, 185 • COCONUT CREEK, FLA. NORTH BROWARD PREP RIVALS RANKINGS: Pegged as a four-star tal- ent, and the No. 28 wide re- ceiver and No. 141 overall player in the nation. JUNIOR NUMBERS: Hauled in 41 catches for 1,021 yards and 13 touchdowns. Also had 46 carries for 454 yards and six scores. THE SKINNY: Shortly after visiting for the Blue-Gold Game April 22, Austin released a top four of Notre Dame, Tennessee, Duke and Miami. Academics are a big part of what he wants in a college, and Notre Dame's combined excellence in the classroom and on the football field are intriguing to him. Duke is likely the biggest threat to the Irish landing him. OFFENSIVE TACKLE NICK PETIT-FRERE 6-5, 265 • TAMPA, FLA. • BERKELEY PREP RIVALS RANKINGS: Hailed as a four-star tal- ent, and the No. 13 offensive tackle and No. 171 overall prospect in the country. THE SKINNY: Notre Dame had Petit-Frere and his mother on campus March 24 during spring practice, and the visit went well. The big-time tackle said after the visit he was "excited" about Notre Dame and enjoyed getting to spend some time with the coaches. Look for him to get back on campus either this summer or for an official visit in the fall. OFFENSIVE GUARD JAMAREE SALYER 6-4, 304 • ATLANTA • PACE ACADEMY RIVALS RANKINGS: Regarded as a five-star prospect, and the No. 1 offen- sive guard and No. 11 overall player nationally. THE SKINNY: Salyer made two trips to South Bend in 2016, including the Irish Invasion, but Notre Dame seemed to fade in his recruitment. However, offensive line coach Harry Hiestand and offensive coordinator Chip Long continued their pursuit of the five-star guard and con- vinced him to take another trip to South Bend June 17. He brought his mom on the trip and, according to a source, told the staff he would return for an official visit in the fall. The Irish will continue to push hard in an effort to lure Salyer from other potential suitors, including Alabama, Clemson, Geor- gia, Ohio State and Stanford. WIDE RECEIVER AMON-RA ST. BROWN 6-1 , 187 • ANAHEIM, CALIF. • MATER DEI H.S. RIVALS RANKINGS: Listed as a five-star talent, and the No. 1 wide receiver and No. 4 overall player in the nation. JUNIOR NUMBERS: Caught 60 passes for 1,229 yards and 21 touchdowns. THE SKINNY: St. Brown vis- ited Notre Dame for the Irish Invasion in 2016, but has not been back since. An of- ficial visit in the fall is likely — he has ex- pressed a lot of interest in getting another look at campus. USC, UCLA, Michigan, Ohio State and others remain in the race to land St. Brown, who will likely announce his commitment on National Signing Day. DEFENSE DEFENSIVE END THOMAS BOOKER 6-4, 280 • BALTIMORE • THE GILMAN SCHOOL RIVALS RANKINGS: Tabbed as a four-star tal- ent, and the No. 16 defensive tackle and No. 208 overall player nationally. THE SKINNY: Booker is look- ing for a blend of quality aca- demics and top-notch foot- ball, which bodes well for the Irish. He called his April visit "incredible" and could return this summer. He also is con- sidering Stanford, Clemson, Northwestern, Duke and Virginia. Stanford is considered the greatest threat to Notre Dame for his commitment. CORNERBACK HOUSTON GRIFFITH 6-1, 192 • CHICAGO • IMG ACADEMY (BRADENTON, FLA.) RIVALS RANKINGS: Regarded as a four-star talent, and the No. 4 safety and No. 44 overall player in the country. JUNIOR NUMBERS: Recorded 15 tackles, including one sack, and eight passes bro- ken up. THE SKINNY: Griffith has visited South Bend multiple times, most recently in March. The focus of that trip was to get some face time with defensive coordinator Mike Elko and see how he might fit in the Irish defense. Ohio State, Florida State and Nebraska look to be the main competition to land him. CORNERBACK D.J. JOHNSON 6-0, 170 • INDIANAPOLIS • NORTH CENTRAL H.S. RIVALS RANKINGS: Listed as a three-star prospect, the No. 5 player in Indiana and the No. 37 cor- nerback nationally. JUNIOR NUMBERS: Recorded 34 total tackles, includ- ing three for a loss, in eight games. THE SKINNY: Notre Dame was recruiting Johnson last fall when the in-state defensive back made two trips to South Bend for game visits. Contact between the two parties fell off, but is picking back up this spring after recruiting coordinator Mike Elston watched Johnson work out at his school and run a 4.5 40-yard dash. An offer was extended soon after. He said following the tender that Notre Dame and Iowa were tied at the top in his TOP TARGETS The Irish are looking to close strong after their quick start TERRIFIC 10 FOR 2018