Football Recruiting - Midwest Region: Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Hundreds of prospects came out to Ann Arbor to participate in Michigan's high school camp on Monday. All were hoping to hone their craft and potentially get a scholarship offer from the Wolverines.
Out of all the recruits in attendance, 2015 linebacker Justin Hilliard (Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Xavier) was one of the few lucky ones to receive an offer after the camp.
Out of all the recruits in attendance, 2015 linebacker Justin Hilliard (Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Xavier) was one of the few lucky ones to receive an offer after the camp.
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Alabama, Ohio State or Kentucky will know by Sunday evening if their recruiting classes increase by one.
Wide receiver Derek Kief (Cincinnati/La Salle) confirmed he will announce where he will continue his academic and athletic future on his personal Twitter account on Sunday.
Wide receiver Derek Kief (Cincinnati/La Salle) confirmed he will announce where he will continue his academic and athletic future on his personal Twitter account on Sunday.
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Camps could bring more offers for Nagel 
June, 12, 2013
Jun 12
6:30
PM ET
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
The first camp of the summer for 2015 receiver Flynn Nagel (Chicago/Marist) ended with an offer. He has at least four more camps in the month of June, so he hopes finishes the month with four more scholarships.
Nagel’s first stop was at nearby Illinois for its camp, and following the camp he spoke on the phone with coach Tim Beckman.
Nagel’s first stop was at nearby Illinois for its camp, and following the camp he spoke on the phone with coach Tim Beckman.
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Irish have golden opportunity in recruiting
June, 12, 2013
Jun 12
9:32
AM ET
By
Tom Luginbill | ESPN.com
Recruiting is the lifeblood of every program in the country, and every conference has its own strengths and weaknesses when it comes to landing top prospects. In the start of a weeklong series, we'll examine the BCS conferences plus Notre Dame to find each's strength, the biggest obstacle each faces and the overall view of the conference. Notre Dame is up today.
Biggest obstacle: Relevance in today's era. This term is thrown around a lot when it comes to Notre Dame and the perception of the Irish in today's college football world. It's important, however, because the Midwest alone does not provide a deep enough pool for Notre Dame to build a top-10 program. The Irish must be a national recruiter, which has its challenges despite being perceived as a strength. Academics, an unreasonable fan base expectation level and weather can also play a role.
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Kizer wastes little time with Irish offer
June, 11, 2013
Jun 11
5:10
PM ET
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
Toledo (Ohio) Central Catholic quarterback DeShone Kizer said last week that Notre Dame exceeded the criteria he was looking for in a school. When Notre Dame offered a few days later on June 5, the Irish immediately jumped into his top group.
Following a weekend visit to South Bend, the 6-foot-5, 208-pound signal-caller, the No. 6 ranked dual-threat quarterbacks nationally, committed to Notre Dame. Central Catholic coach Greg Dempsey confirmed the commitment of his four-star and Elite 11 quarterback.
- DeShone Kizer
- Quarterback: Dual threat
- 2014
- Committed: Notre Dame
| Pos Rk | Stars | Grade | Hometown |
| 6 | 83 | Toledo, OH |
This commitment is welcomed news for Notre Dame, which has not had much positivity around the position the last few weeks. Everett Golson, who led the Irish to the national championship game last season, was suspended from school in late May. A few days later, ESPN 150 quarterback Kyle Allen, who many felt could end up signing with Notre Dame, pledged to Texas A&M.
Former backup quarterback Gunner Kiel, a member of the ESPN 150 in 2012, left the program this spring as well.
Ohio has been kind to the Irish the past two recruiting classes. In the 2013 class, Malik Zaire of Kettering (Ohio) Archbishop Alter signed with the Irish and enrolled in January.
Later this month, Kizer will compete at the Elite 11 finals after taking top honors in a regional event in Columbus, Ohio, on June 1. LSU coaches Les Miles and Cam Cameron watched Kizer at the event.
Kizer is the 11th commitment in the Irish’s 2014 class and is the latest piece to what is becoming a stellar offensive haul. Four-star running back Elijah Hood and four-star offensive tackle Alex Bars are both members of the ESPN 150, and Sam Mustipher (No. 11 guard), Justin Brent (No. 38 receiver) and Quenton Nelson (No. 19 guard) are also four-star recruits. Three-star offensive tackle Jimmy Byrne is also committed.
Notre Dame’s class ranks No. 8 nationally but could move up with Kizer’s commitment.
CINCINNATI -- Derek Kief will have a lot of time to ponder his recruitment next week. He has close to a four-hour drive to Atlanta and then a flight back home to Cincinnati.
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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- DeShone Kizer (Toledo, Ohio/Central Catholic) was ready to commit a few months ago. Then LSU offered. Alabama came soon after. Those two offers made Kizer slow his recruitment down.
With baseball and basketball now done, he will finally have his first opportunity to see both schools up close next week.
With baseball and basketball now done, he will finally have his first opportunity to see both schools up close next week.
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The RN Top 10 will appear throughout the camp and combine season and rank prospects based strictly on their on-field performance at that particular event. It does not reflect what their overall prospect ranking is.
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Although the Ohio State coaches could not be at the camp, Sunday’s Nike Football Training Camp at Ohio State’s football complex looked more like a Buckeyes practice with all the talent strewn across two practice fields. Recruiting Nation had to make some tough decisions in picking out the top performances of the day, but these 10 prospects made the strongest case to make the list.
10. Martesse Patterson
Columbus (Ohio) Marion-Franklin | OT | 6-5, 280
Coming into the event, Patterson was a name that was not in the directory of a lot of those in recruiting circles. He changed that with his performance Sunday, which landed him the offensive line MVP honor. Line coach Todd Huber saw a raw Patterson on film -- it’s only Patterson’s second year playing football -- but was thoroughly impressed and believes he will be a very good guard in college.
“I was coming to show I’m just as good as some of the top guys in the country even though I’m new to football,” said Patterson, who has four Big Ten offers. “… I think I did good and that I can either be a guard or tackle.”
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Although the Ohio State coaches could not be at the camp, Sunday’s Nike Football Training Camp at Ohio State’s football complex looked more like a Buckeyes practice with all the talent strewn across two practice fields. Recruiting Nation had to make some tough decisions in picking out the top performances of the day, but these 10 prospects made the strongest case to make the list.
10. Martesse Patterson
Columbus (Ohio) Marion-Franklin | OT | 6-5, 280
Coming into the event, Patterson was a name that was not in the directory of a lot of those in recruiting circles. He changed that with his performance Sunday, which landed him the offensive line MVP honor. Line coach Todd Huber saw a raw Patterson on film -- it’s only Patterson’s second year playing football -- but was thoroughly impressed and believes he will be a very good guard in college.
“I was coming to show I’m just as good as some of the top guys in the country even though I’m new to football,” said Patterson, who has four Big Ten offers. “… I think I did good and that I can either be a guard or tackle.”
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Irish offer after DB West cancels decision
May, 31, 2013
May 31
1:27
PM ET
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
A Friday offer validated a Thursday decision for Darius West.
The four-star cornerback out of Lima (Ohio) Central Catholic planned to commit to a school in his top four Thursday afternoon, but he delayed his decision after talking with his dad. The move paid dividends rather quickly as Notre Dame offered the No. 9 player in Ohio on Friday.
The four-star cornerback out of Lima (Ohio) Central Catholic planned to commit to a school in his top four Thursday afternoon, but he delayed his decision after talking with his dad. The move paid dividends rather quickly as Notre Dame offered the No. 9 player in Ohio on Friday.
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Crushing hits are 2015 LB Hilliard's game
May, 30, 2013
May 30
7:38
PM ET
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
Justin Hilliard sees the ball and runs to it. Then he delivers a crushing blow.
That is the consensus on the 2015 Cincinnati St. Xavier linebacker who already holds 20 offers.
That is the consensus on the 2015 Cincinnati St. Xavier linebacker who already holds 20 offers.
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Early attention nothing new for WR Kirk
May, 30, 2013
May 30
10:07
AM ET
By
Erik McKinney | ESPN.com
Christian Kirk has always been ahead of schedule.
This spring, the Scottsdale (Ariz.) Saguaro sophomore went toe-to-toe with the West region's top juniors on the field and on the recruiting trail. But that's nothing new for the 5-foot-10, 190-pound wide receiver.
Kirk began playing football at 5 years old, but don't tell that to the administrators of the league he played for.
This spring, the Scottsdale (Ariz.) Saguaro sophomore went toe-to-toe with the West region's top juniors on the field and on the recruiting trail. But that's nothing new for the 5-foot-10, 190-pound wide receiver.
Kirk began playing football at 5 years old, but don't tell that to the administrators of the league he played for.
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MANALAPAN, N.J. -- Through one quarter, Chris Blacknall racked up 80 yards on six carries. He was capping off a breakout senior season and football was his ticket to college.
Moments later, Blacknall was lying on his back, forced to watch the college coaches walk out of the stadium with any hope of a scholarship leaving with them.
“Ever see the Joe Theismann play? That’s what happened to me,” he said. “I went up the middle, went to the left, planted my foot and the linebacker held me and spun me and my leg stood where it was. ... My knee was backward, leg was backward and my foot turned around.”
He has a second chance now -- one that has come through his son Saeed Blacknall, an ESPN 150 receiver out of Manalapan (N.J.) High School. And Saeed is taking that chance very seriously.
Moments later, Blacknall was lying on his back, forced to watch the college coaches walk out of the stadium with any hope of a scholarship leaving with them.
“Ever see the Joe Theismann play? That’s what happened to me,” he said. “I went up the middle, went to the left, planted my foot and the linebacker held me and spun me and my leg stood where it was. ... My knee was backward, leg was backward and my foot turned around.”
He has a second chance now -- one that has come through his son Saeed Blacknall, an ESPN 150 receiver out of Manalapan (N.J.) High School. And Saeed is taking that chance very seriously.
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Last fall, the Elyria (Ohio) trio of offensive guard Darius Badford, athlete Jordan Connell and running back Jumarr Lewis could count on one hand schools showing interest.
It’s funny what successful junior seasons have done for the Pioneers' three, as schools have come out of the woodwork.
“I’ve been amazed,” Badford said. “I didn’t know I’d get more coming at me. They all say I’m good and am a prospect for the future. I’m so excited I can’t even explain it.”
It’s funny what successful junior seasons have done for the Pioneers' three, as schools have come out of the woodwork.
“I’ve been amazed,” Badford said. “I didn’t know I’d get more coming at me. They all say I’m good and am a prospect for the future. I’m so excited I can’t even explain it.”
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Bars following father, not brothers, to ND
May, 17, 2013
May 17
3:38
PM ET
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
With brothers at both Michigan and Penn State, offensive tackle Alex Bars (Nashville, Tenn./Montgomery Bell Academy) was facing a tough decision. Join Blake at Michigan or Brad at Penn State?
Alex went an entirely different route and followed in the footsteps of his father. The four-star lineman and the No. 55 player in the ESPN 150 committed to Notre Dame on Friday.
Joe Bars was a linebacker at Notre Dame.
“… I've been thinking hard about it these past couple months. I realized a couple weeks ago where I wanted to go, but my parents made me wait a week. Notre Dame was the best place for me.”
Bars is the fourth offensive lineman in the Irish’s class, which is quickly making a case as the best offensive line haul, at least as of May. Bars is joined by four-star guards Sam Mustipher (No. 11 among guards) and Quenton Nelson (No. 19) and three-star tackle Jimmy Byrne (No. 28). Bars is No. 7 among tackles nationally.
Notre Dame is putting a major emphasis on the offensive line for a second consecutive recruiting class. In 2013, the Irish signed two top-10 tackles and two more players in the top 30 at the position. They also signed No. 27 guard John Montelus.
Forced to nationally recruit, the Irish are doing just that in the 2014 class. Of the Irish’s 10 commitments, nine hail from different states.
Bars is the second highest-ranked commitment in the Irish’s class, which ranked No. 8 nationally before Bars’ pledge.
Michigan, where brother Blake Bars plays, and Notre Dame are scheduled to meet for the last time in 2014, which would be Alex Bars’ freshman season in South Bend. The back and forth between the brothers has not started just yet, though.
“They were disappointed I didn't go to their school, but they're happy for me,” Bars said. “Blake thinks Michigan is the best school in the country, but there hasn't been any trash-talking yet. I'm sure there will be during this season.”
WolverineNation reporter Tom VanHaaren contributed to this report.
Jabrill Peppers (Paramus, N.J./Paramus Catholic), the No. 2 prospect in the country, has set his decision date.
The No. 1 defensive back will make his decision live on ESPNU on May 26. With almost every program in the country targeting the talented prospect, Peppers has narrowed his list down to LSU, Notre Dame, Michigan, Penn State, Rutgers and Stanford.
He still plans on taking his visit to Penn State on May 18, and has already been out to Michigan, LSU and Ohio State. There might still be a surprise visit in store before the announcement as well. The five-star prospect has turned heads with his play on the field and will undoubtedly be a game changer for whichever school he picks.
RECRUITING NATION MIDWEST COVERAGE
The Midwest Region consists of the states of Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin and is where the foundation of most Big Ten recruiting classes are made up of. It's also where the MAC finds most of its talent and national programs hunt for prospects.
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