Trying to hit a moving target

The Irish continue to target a number of upcoming high school seniors.  Although signing day isn’t until February, getting these players on board sooner than later is very important in the recruiting process. 

One of our hottest targets is Shaq Thompson, a 6’2” 200 lb. safety from Grant Union High School in Sacramento, California.  Notre Dame’s Tight End Coach Mike Denbrock is his recruiter.   Denbrock has already gotten commitments from his cousins, wide receiver Deontay Greenberry and defensive back Tee Sheppard.  Several services have Thompson ranked as the top safety in the country.  Also in the hunt for Thomson include schools like Florida, Oregon, Tennessee, UCLA, USC, Washington and California, where his brother is an All-American cornerback.

6’7” 300+ lb. Defensive Tackle Jarron Jones is not only from my hometown, but is also from the same high school (Aquinas Institute) that I had my football career, although his has been much more successful.  After de-committing from Penn State, Jones wanted to see what else was out there including a visit to South Bend.  Jones is being recruited by Defensive Coordinator Bob Diaco.  Jarron has said he plans on making a choice and making a commitment before the start of his senior season.   Although almost every big time program in the country has made an offer to Jones, it seems that Notre Dame, North Carolina, Virginia Tech and Penn State are the true contenders.

Penn State is challenging the Irish for another highly touted recruit, Armani Reeves, a 5’11 cornerback (also listed as an Athlete).  Reeves runs a 4.35 40, which can make him valuable in several positions, a trait that Brian Kelly really likes.  Armani is also being recruited by Defensive Coordinator Bob Diaco.  Although Reeves is being recruited as a cornerback, he also plays wide receiver for Catholic Memorial School in West Roxbury, Massachusetts.

Other hot recruiting targets include all purpose back Keivarae Russell, safeties Elijah Shumate and Reggie Daniels, defensive end LaTroy Lewis, cornerback T.J. Davis and running back Chris Mangus.

There is a lot of time between now and signing day in February, and a lot of work to be done in recruiting.  Winning games in the fall goes a long way in cementing verbal commits and swaying those players who are still unsure.