Notre Dame Recruits Represent

Last week’s Nike event, “The Opening” had some amazing talent, and the Irish recruits did not disappoint.  Although all the recruits did well, a few jumped out at me during the week.

South Bend product David Perkins finished ninth in the SPARQ National Championship finals and had the highest Power Ball score. At 6’2” 210 lbs. and as a junior, Perkins is on his way to becoming a college-sized linebacker.  This four-star recruit is known for his strength, benching 325 lbs. and squatting 450 lbs., and also boasts a 4.43 40-yard dash and a 39-inch vertical jump (recorded 36-inch).  I can’t wait to see him flying around the field in South Bend; the only question is at what position.  He is listed as a linebacker but has played a number of positions in high school, and with Kelly recruiting athletes and moving them around, we may see him playing multiple positions in college as well.

Justin Ferguson out of Pembroke Pine, Florida really impressed me during his 7 on 7 games.  I love when the Irish can steal a kid out of Florida, especially one who had offers from Florida, Florida State and Miami.   Not only did Ferguson play on the championship 7 on 7 team, but also caught the game winning touchdown.  He also caught the team’s only other touchdown in that game.  Besides his toughness, I just like how this kids plays - he seems to have that “it” factor.  Check him out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1IPaCujCQw

Wide receiver Deontay Greenberry was on the team that came in second place in the 7 on 7 tournament at “The Opening.”  He was selected to the 2011 Nike 7ON All-Tourney Team.  Where Ferguson seems to be a deep threat, Greenberry seems to have more talent in short routes. 

Tee Shepard (Deontay Greenberry’s cousin) also made the 2011 Nike 7ON All-Tourney Team.  Shepard is known for great coverage and being great against the pass, however, he needs a little development in his senior year on his toughness and tackling.  Tee Shepard was Notre Dame’s first verbal commitment from the class of 2012.

Offensive lineman Mark Harrell measured in at 6-foot-5, 267-pounds and ran a 5.57 40 yard dash.  Mark, who converted from tight end, made his presence known as a very good run blocker.

One more for the road.

This fall, eight graduate students (six of them are fifth year seniors) will be on the Irish roster.  Although all eight players are not starters or even regular on field players, I believe having these guys on the team adds a type of leadership that is important for a college program like Notre Dame’s.  Let’s run down these eight men and see what they bring to the table.

It would seem that things couldn’t get any better for Harrison Smith after his Sun Bowl performance against the Hurricanes.  After not seeing the game field as a freshman, Smith has played in every game since.  Harrison will definitely be an on-field leader with his experience and great play.  I am not sure Harrison would have been drafted this past year, but his colligate career has been impressive.  Smith is the only player in Irish football history to register more than 200 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 15 pass breakups in a career.

Kicker David Ruffer was about as good as he could get last year, hitting 23 of 24 field goal attempts.  Having a kicker like Ruffer on the sidelines definitely changes the offensive strategy of a team, allowing the Irish to play with the confidence of having a kicker that they feel confident can convert on a consistent basis.  Ruffer was invited to practice in 2008 after being seen kicking in an interhall league (Davis had never played organized football before).   After being a walk on as a senior, he is now a scholarship player and at the very least, is an inspirational leader on the team.

I have not been a fan of Mike Ragone.  Maybe it’s because he came so highly touted out of high school even though he missed his entire senior season recovering from an off-season injury.  Maybe it’s because he missed his sophomore season at Notre Dame after a training camp injury.  Maybe it was his May 2010 drug arrest after being stopped for speeding and trying to hide the dope on his girlfriend when he was pulled over.  With that being said, Mike has the opportunity to fly straight (and healthy) and use his talents to work with Tyler Eifert to be a powerful tight end combination. 

Andrew Nuss has continued to grow into a solid contributor on the offensive line over the past two years.  At 6’5” 305 lbs. and seeing action in 25 games, Nuss would be a fine addition to any program.  In addition to being a reserve offensive lineman, Nuss has been a valuable contributor on special teams.

Nick Lezynski is a 5’9” 180 lb. cornerback out of Notre Dame High in Newton, Pennsylvania.  And with no on field experience he really should just be happy to be there.  Unheralded players can sometimes be important pieces of teams in the locker room and on the practice field, and if you have ever seen Rudy you know how hard it is to make the team as a walk-on.

Although Gary Gray was a heralded high school player, he got a late start in college missing his freshman year recovering from preseason shoulder surgery.   For the past two seasons, Gray has appeared in 33 games and started in 20 of them, including all 13 in 2010.  He brings much needed experience and talent to a defensive backfield that has not been respected in the past several years.

For the first three years of his career in South Bend Taylor Dever served as a back up at right tackle to Sam Young.  Last year Taylor stepped up and proved he belonged starting 10 games at right tackle.  With 29 total games played Dever brings experience and leadership to a good offensive line.  With another solid year Taylor has the potential to take it to the next level and play on Sundays.

Like Nick Lezynski, Patrick “Turtle” Coughlin is a graduate student without a big pedigree in South Bend.  He did however earn time with special teams on kickoff and kickoff return.  Interesting enough Patrick found out about his special teams starting role via text from fellow walk on Nick Lezynski.  As a running back Coughlin probably won’t need a lot of action if any but a mature kids that hustles on special teams is worth their weight in gold.