Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Juniors To Watch Part II Defense (Class of 2012)

Last week we mentioned 5 offensive players that the Irish coaching staff will have their eyes on for the upcoming Class of 2012. This week, we move over to the defense. Lets take a look at five of the more heralded prospects Brian Kelly and Company will be courting in the coming months.

Tommy Schutt is a 6-3 301lb defensive lineman from Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Schutt currently lines up at defensive end in high school, which is definitely a testament to his athletic ability, but he will probably move inside if he chooses Notre Dame. Schutt appears to be a perfect compliment at the defensive tackle/nose guard position that looks to be manned by Louis Nix this year. The Irish did not sign a player at that position in the 2011 recruiting campaign, so this will be a position of need in the 2012 class. Schutt currently holds 15 scholarship offers from the likes of Ohio State, Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin, Penn State, and Nebraska in addition to his Notre Dame offer.



Ifeadi Odenigbo
is a 6-4 210lb defensive end/linebacker from Centerville, Ohio. Odenigbo lines up purely as a defensive end in high school, but with his athletic ability, may likely move to linebacker in the Irish 3-4 defense. Odenigbo visited the Irish campus this last weekend (Feb' 25th-27th) as part of the Notre Dame Junior Day. Word is that he came away thoroughly impressed with everything ND had to offer. As many people know who happen to follow college recruiting, pulling a top player from the state of Ohio, and away from Ohio State is no easy task. Along with an Ohio State and Notre Dame offer, Odenigbo holds 11 total offers from the likes of Michigan, Oklahoma, and Stanford.



Tee Shepard
is a 6-1 175lb cornerback from Central East High School in Fresno California. Shepard holds scholarship offers from the entire PAC-10 along with Notre Dame, Alabama, Auburn,and Miami. Shepard will be tough to get out of PAC-10 country, but he has consistently mentioned the Irish in interviews. Cornerback is a major necessity for the Irish this recruiting campaign, so Brian Kelly and coaching staff will undoubtedly pursue Shepard very hard.
**EDIT: The following day after this article was written, Tee Shepard verbally committed to Notre Dame.



Alex Carter
is a 6-1 180lb defensive back from Briar Woods High School, in Ashburn Virginia. Carter is the son of former Notre Dame great and NFL first round pick Tom Carter. Many remember the elder Carter as one of the best Irish defensive backs in the last 20-30 years. The younger Carter looks to follow in his fathers footsteps as a great defensive back. Even though the young Alex Carter is a Notre Dame legacy, he is definitely not a lock to sign with the Irish. Carter holds 9 total scholarship offers from the likes of Penn State, Stanford, Virginia Tech, Virginia, and Tennessee along with his Notre Dame offer.



Terry Richardson
is a 5-9 160lb cornerback from Cass Tech High School in Detroit Michigan. Richardson trekked to Notre Dame this past weekend (Feb' 25th-27th) for the Irish Junior Day. Notre Dame is also heavily recruiting Richardson's teammate James Ross (linebacker). Richardson holds 13 scholarship offers from perennial powers like Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan, USC, LSU along with his Notre Dame offer.

No comments:

Post a Comment