Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com MARCH 2018 39 2018 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY COREY BODDEN Notre Dame pulled a National Sign- ing Day surprise Feb. 7, landing Noah Boykin of Washington (D.C.) H.D. Woodson over Florida and Virginia. Cornerback was a big need for the Irish in the 2018 class and adding a Rivals250 prospect late in the pro- cess provided a big win for the Notre Dame staff. Rivals Mid-Atlantic ana- lyst Adam Friedman rated the sign- ing as an "A." "It's a premium position, and he's highly rated," Friedman explained. "They really came from behind here. … They came back and showed their abilities as a staff by recruiting play- ers from not traditional recruiting territories. "They flexed their muscles with this commitment. A week before signing day he was a done deal to Florida. … It's really something they can hang their hat on, especially getting this caliber of a player at a premium position late. It's really impressive." What helps make Boykin Rivals' No. 21 cornerback and No. 204 over- all player nationally are his height (6-2) and length at an important posi- tion on the defensive side of the ball. "He's got great length for a corner- back," Friedman stated. "He's very physical and has really good feet as well. He has that 'it' factor where the ball is always around him. "He has the ability to match up with big or small receivers. Some- times small receivers give the taller cornerbacks problems, but his physi- cality and length really make it dif- ficult for them to take advantage." For Friedman, Boykin's skill set compares favorable to sophomore Duke cornerback Mark Gilbert of the 2016 class. Gilbert was named first- team All-ACC this past season after recording 35 tackles, six interceptions and 15 passes broken up. "I wish I would have rated Mark higher out of high school," Friedman said. "Mark is the same type of guy. Has great length at the cornerback side, and high schools never threw to his side. "You weren't really sure how quick twitch he was and how engaged with the game he was. He certainly proved to be a very good player at Duke these first couple of years." Friedman sees Boykin having the same potential of Gilbert when he arrives at Notre Dame. "That's what a 5.8 rated prospect description is; a potential All-Amer- ican type talent," Friedman said. "We're looking at an all-conference type of player that has the ability to match up with the No. 1 receiver of a team regardless of conference. "He has the size and speed, and can really lock down a guy. … Watch- ing his game, teams haven't gone to his side very much, so things can get kind of relaxed on his side. In college, there's no room for that. Noah will certainly remedy that." ✦ NOAH BOYKIN CORNERBACK 6-2 · 176 H.D. WOODSON H.S. WASHINGTON, D.C. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 204 21 2 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 74 12 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 291 25 2 STATISTICS • Notched 65 tackles, six interceptions and two touchdowns on defense during his senior season. Also compiled approximately 500 receiving yards and four scores on offense, plus returned a pair of punts for touchdowns. HONORS • Named to the 2017 All-USA District of Colum- bia first team by USA Today. • Was an honorable mention selection on The Washington Post All-Met team as a senior. ALL-STAR GAMES AND CAMPS • Played in the Offensive-Defense All-American Bowl Dec. 30 in New Orleans. Was selected as the "Best Defensive Back" at the event. • Participated in Nike Football's The Opening Washington (D.C.) Regional on April 23, 2017. RECRUITMENT • Signed with Notre Dame over Florida and Virginia on National Signing Day on Feb. 7, 2018. • Landed an offer from the Irish on Sept. 18, 2017, and took an official visit for the North Caro- lina State game on Oct. 28, 2017. • Originally committed to Maryland on July 5, 2017, but backed off that pledge on Jan. 24, 2018, just days after an official visit to Florida. • Primarily recruited by cornerbacks coach Todd Lyght. NOTABLE • Born on Feb. 8, 1999. • Became the third player in the past two cycles to originally commit to Maryland before winding up signing with Notre Dame, joining defensive end Kofi Wardlow and kicker Jonathan Doerer in the 2017 class. • Is the third player from a Washington, D.C., high school to sign with Notre Dame under Brian Kelly, joining Wardlow and 2013 cornerback signee Devin Butler. Both Wardlow and Butler were three-star recruits. • He is the highest ranked cornerback to sign with Notre Dame since Shaun Crawford (No. 82 player nationally) in the 2015 class. 2018 PROJECTION • Boykin has the length, athleticism and play- making ability to play as a freshman if the need arises. THEY SAID IT Head coach Brian Kelly: "We love the intan- gibles about Noah. … He has got a confidence about him at that corner position. He's a natu- ral corner, and just gives us great flexibility and depth at that position that we've been lacking for so long here." Cornerbacks coach Todd Lyght: "Noah Boykin is a long, athletic football player who comes from a program where they are taught the techniques of winning football with a great tradition. Noah is a superior athlete with elite ball skills." BGI football analyst Bryan Driskell: "The first thing people will point to with a cornerback is speed, and that's the one knock on Boykin. He's not an overly fast player. He's not slow by any means, but he isn't going to blow you away with speed. "What Boykin has are all the other traits you want in a cover corner. He has elite length, mea- suring in at 6-2 with very long arms, and a frame that will allow him to continue adding the neces- sary weight to hold up at the position. "Athletically, Boykin is light on his feet, changes direction with ease and can flip his hips quickly. Combined with his instincts, it makes him a highly effective cover player." Noah Boykin Gives Notre Dame A National Signing Day Shocker Boykin surprised many people in the recruiting world by picking Notre Dame over Florida and Virginia on National Signing Day Feb. 7. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM