Welcome back to the 18 Stripes Big Board for Fighting Irish football. After giving a Stanford visitor update in lieu of the Big Board last week, we’re bringing things back up with the defensive tackle position. Forewarning — this one is gonna be a short one.
| Score | Name | State | Ht./Wt. | Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| .971 | Jay Tufele | UT | 6-3/300 | Cold |
| .948 | Greg Rogers | NV | 6-3/305 | Cold |
| .886 | Martin Andrus | CA | 6-1/280 | Cold |
| .884 | Noah Elliss | CO | 6-4/330 | Cold |
| .880 | Dalyn Wade-Perry | NJ | 6-3/340 | Cold |
In the Fold
The Irish two defensive tackles in the fold right now — Kurt Hinish (.867) and Darnell Ewell (.934). Hinish was in town this past weekend for the Stanford game, and he remains a steady commit. Things have been pretty quiet with Darnell Ewell, but there has been nothing to suggest that he might be wavering from his commitment.
In Play
Yeah, not a lot going on here. The staff isn’t really going after anybody on this Big Board, but we’ll go over everyone anyway.
Jay Tufele has a top group of Michigan, Ohio State, Utah, USC, and Washington (in no particular order). The Army All-American will likely make his decision on signing day.
Greg Rogers was a guy who was thought to have seriously interest in ND over the summer, and then he promptly removed ND from contention. USC is a top contender for him, with Colorado, UCLA, and Oklahoma in the mix as well.
Martin Andrus appears to be another USC lean. He’s also taking a look at UCLA, Oregon, and Nebraska (which seems to be the trendy team in California recruiting this year).
Noah Elliss is keeping things pretty open right now. Alabama, Auburn, Oklahoma, Louisville, and Ole Miss are all pushing for his services, but it’s unclear who might be the leader right now.
You may remember that Dalyn Wade-Perry was once a guy the Irish staff was targeting pretty heavily. Since the commitment of Darnell Ewell, ND has moved on. Much like when ND was still going after him, he’ll likely end up at Stanford if he can get in. If not, look for Penn State to jump to the top of his list.
Committed Elsewhere
Haskell Garrett — Ohio State
Marlon Tuipulotu — Washington
Eric Crosby — Tennessee
Jerron Cage — This is probably the only guy to keep an eye on from this update. Daniel Cage’s little brother is still committed to Ohio State, has been for a while. But if ND pushed for him, he’d likely give them a very strong look. The staff may be content with what they have, though.
Breyon Gaddy — Tennessee
Phil Paea — Michigan
Kivon Bennett — Tennessee
I would have to say it would depend on the defensive philosophy you bring in next year. If Hudson is retained or a 3-4 guy is brought in, I would say no, you are not done. We would do well to seek out another Mokwuah body type to finish up. Cage, Mokwuah, and possibly Tiassum should be able to handle the position of Nose Guard in the 3-4 adequately for the next couple of years. Hinnish and Ewell, however strike me as plug and play Defensive Ends in a 3-4. A starting line of: Bonner, Cage, and J. Hayes backed by Kareem, Mokwuah, and Dew-Treadway doesn’t seem unreasonable to me, “on paper”. Throw in Hinnish, Tiassum, and Ewell and you’re looking three deep across the line.
Should they go to a 4-3 next year, they look very deep and completely different. A starting line of J. Hayes, Bonner, Cage, and D. Hayes backed by Kareem, Taylor, Mokwuah, and Trumbetti/ Okwara looks reasonable “on paper”. This also leaves Dew-Treadway, Tiassum, Ewell, Hinnish, Ogundeji, and MacCollister to slot in where ever they should fit. As deep as that sounds, I would say yes, you are done recruiting Tackles for a 4-3.
Wade-Perry seems like a good body-type for a 3-4, although pretty sure he’s had zero interaction with ND for a few months now.
As I’m sure some have seen, Donovan Jeter committed to Michigan. Some choice quotes:
“I started thinking: ‘Michigan is undefeated and Notre Dame is 2-5.'”
“[Harbaugh] doesn’t act like he’s important. He doesn’t act like he’s one of the best coaches in the country,” said Jeter. “He’s real down to earth and humble. He’s easy to talk to. Talking to Brian Kelly wasn’t fun. It wasn’t cool. You have to make an appointment just to go to his office. Coach Harbaugh has an open-door policy. Every one of Michigan’s coaches has an open-door policy.”
Cool, cool.
He apologized for the comments. Good for him – I thought it was a really dumb exercise in bridge burning.
In fairness to Jeter, I do think he’s right to some extent, it’s not like Brian Kelly is going to be cozying up and having a sleepover in a recruit’s room. Definite difference in personalities
I don’t fault him for wanting to “get in where you fit in” and all the best, but making a decision over a single year’s record is really short-sighted. I’m sure he knows (but he doesn’t really “know” yet) that committing to a coach isn’t very wise. There’s no guarantee Harbaugh’s in Ann Arbor for the next 4-5 years — though admittedly as of now it looks like he will be. Still, if this kid doesn’t get 4 for 40 concept, I’m surprised he was even a ND verbal in the first place.
It was a pretty big surprise when he set up a visit and all of a sudden ND looked like they might be in the driver’s seat despite not even being in the picture a few weeks prior.
He hasn’t taken many visits and committed to ND after his first one there. Then he goes and commits to Michigan after his first visit there. He strikes me as a very impressionable young kid, who maybe isn’t ready (maturity wise, maybe) to make such a commitment as this.