Notre Dame’s annual football banquet, The Echoes, could be the boost the Irish need after the brutal 4-8 season. A ton of Notre Dame’s 2017 commits will make there way to South Bend as well as major targets left on the board that the coaching staff is eager to add to the class leading up to Signing Day.
There will be quite a few major keys to the 2017 class that will be in town Friday:
Texas four-star Tight End Brock Wright committed to Notre Dame on June 26, 2015 and will headline the group heading to South Bend this weekend. Monday, Wright and his family hosted head coach Brian Kelly for his in-home visit. The Under Armour All-American will be an early enrollee for Notre Dame and a huge addition heading into spring ball.
Illinois four-star Tight End Cole Kmet committed to the Irish on October 2, 2015. He’s also a US Army All-American with a tremendously high ceiling.
Texas four-star Quarterback Avery Davis and a Under Armour All-American committed to Notre Dame on March 19th. Quarterback coach Mike Sanford was on hand last week to watch Davis for his final high school game.
Florida IMG Academy powerhouse four-star offensive lineman, Robert Hainsey: The Under Armour All-American committed to Notre Dame on July 10th and has been solid every since. He will be another big addition as an early enrollee for the Irish.
Virginia four-star defensive tackle Darnell Ewell committed to Notre Dame on July 15th. He is someone that can make a big impact next fall.
Illinois four-star Safety Isaiah Robertson committed to Notre Dame on April 15th. He’ll be an early enrollee, hoping to be a big boost for the Notre Dame secondary and will be competing for a spot in the rotation starting in the spring. Last saturday, head coach Brian Kelly was on hand for an in-home visit with the Robertsons.
Pennsylvania four-star US Army All-American offensive lineman Joshua Lugg who committed to Notre Dame on August 14, 2015. Thursday night offensive line coach Harry Hiestand visited Lugg and his family.
Connecticut four-star running back CJ Holmes committed to the Irish on July 8th. He’s an electric athlete that will also be a big addition as an early enrollee. Last Saturday, tight end/special teams coach Scott Booker stopped by for an in-home visit. Thursday, Coach Kelly and running back coach Autry Denson stopped by for a quick visit.
Florida three-star wide receiver Jordan Pouncey will make the long trip to South Bend. Pouncey committed to Notre Dame when he took a visit for the Irish Invasion on June 18th. Early last week, running back coach Autry Denson was down south for a visit with Pouncey and Thursday night wide receiver coach Mike Denbrock was in-home for a visit.
Florida three-star defensive end Jonathon MacCollister and talented pass rusher committed to Notre Dame on June 17th, also while visiting for the Irish Invasion. On Monday, defensive line coach Keith Gilmore visited for an in-home visit.
Florida three-star offensive lineman Dillan Gibbons committed to Notre Dame back on April 5th and has been all Irish. Last week, offensive line coach Harry Hiestand made his way South for Gibbons in-home visit.
Also, Michigan 2018 three-star linebacker Ovie Oghoufo committed to Notre Dame on July 22nd. The Irish beat out Michigan State and Ohio State to land the talented linebacker. With a lot of schools still pushing, he says he is still solid to his commitment with Notre Dame.
The 17’ commits that won’t be able to make it for The Echoes:
Four-star linebacker David Adams
Four-star cornerback Paulson Adebo
Three-star defensive tackle Kurt Hinish
Three-star wide receiver Michael Young
Three-star linebacker Drew White
Three-star cornerback Elijah Hicks
Also, three of the four early enrollees (Brock Wright, Robert Hainsey, and Isaiah Robertson) have signed their grant-in-aid paperwork this week to officially be admitted to Notre Dame in January. CJ Holmes will be signing his on Wednesday at his high school. As seen above, all four will be in South Bend Friday for The Echoes.
As of today, all 17 commits are firm to Notre Dame and the staff seems pretty confident that all will sign with the Irish on National Signing Day. With the staff wanting around a 24-25 man recruiting class that leaves about 7 spots to add some players left on the board.
For the uncommitted official visitors, there will a few top targets heading to South Bend that the staff hopes will eventually be Irish:
Maryland four-star defensive end, and probably the most important visitor, Joshua Paschal will be on campus for his Notre Dame official. This will be his second visit to South Bend after taking an unofficial back on June 21st. Defensive line coach Keith Gilmore also went in-home with Paschal and his family Tuesday night which certainly provided an extra boost. The Irish staff feels very confident about where things are with Paschal going into Saturday. Kentucky, Maryland and Oklahoma are towards the top of his list as well.
Los Angeles US Army All-American four-star wide receiver Jamire Calvin will be making his official to South Bend Friday. This is a two team race between Notre Dame and Nebraska. Wide receiver coach Mike Denbrock had an in-home visit with Calvin in Los Angeles Monday night. This weekend could be a big turning point for Calvin and Notre Dame which the staff is very optimistic about. Calvin plans to announce during the US Army All-American bowl.
Iowa US Army All-American four-star wide receiver Oliver Martin will be in town this weekend. Martin is a top priority for the staff and has been in constant contact with wide receiver coach Mike Denbrock. Michigan State and Iowa are in the mix to land Martin who also plans to announce during the US Army All-American bowl.
Los Angeles US Army All-American four-star Athlete Greg Johnson will make his way to South Bend. Johnson de-committed from Arizona last week and has been on Notre Dame’s priority list for awhile. Nebraska, USC and UCLA are also in the mix. It’s never easy getting guys to leave the west coast but the staff feel good about where they stand right now with Johnson. It’s a huge opportunity this weekend for the staff.
With the recruiting dead period coming up in a week, The Echoes will be a huge opportunity to add some much needed momentum heading into the new year with current commits and priority recruits. Could the Irish add a commit this weekend? We’ll have to wait and see but don’t count out the possibility of a new member for the 2017 class. There could also be a few last minute additions by weeks end.
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