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DE - John Ryan |
| Hgt:6-5 Wgt:250 40:4.7 |
| Anticipated Position: DE |
| Season Stats: 6 games - 8 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries |
| Awards: All-Ohio Division I, All-county, All-Northeast Ohio |
| Final Schools: Michigan, LSU, Penn State and Boston College |
| Why He Chose ND: "Charlie Weis is on of the best coaches in college football. The staff is one of the best in college football. I'd have to be crazy to go anywhere else." |
| What Irish Fans Can Expect: "Come every day with your hard hat on, work hard, and be ready for your opportunity. You don't know when or how often they'll come along so you have to take advantage of them whenever you can."
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| John is planning to attend the Spring Game with high school teammate, Robbie Parris. The two are also hoping to attend a spring practice.
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DE - Kallen Wade |
| Hgt:6-6 Wgt:220 40:4.5 |
| Anticipated Position: Defensive End |
| Season Stats: 46 solo tackles, 5 sacks |
| Awards: Columbus High School Hall of Fame, Cincy All Star Team, Tremendous 22 |
| Final Schools: Boston College, Duke, Maryland, Miami of Ohio, and Akron |
| Why He Chose ND: “Notre Dame has the best of everything from football to academics. Plus if things don’t work out in football a degree from ND carries some weight”. |
| What Irish Fans Can Expect: “Someone who is dedicated, will work hard, and will do anything for the team”.
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| Kallen would like to make it up for the spring game. |
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DT - Paddy Mullen |
| Hgt:6-5 Wgt:257 40:4.7 |
| Anticipated Position: Defensive Tackle/Tight End/Defensive End |
Season Stats: Defense: 35 tackles, 8 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, 1 int,3 fumble recoveries
Offense: 15 catches for 200 yards |
| Awards: First Team All-State, Second Team All-Metro, First Team All-Conference
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| Final Schools: LSU, Michigan State, Nebraska, Ole Miss, Missouri and Illinois |
| Why He Chose ND: “I loved Notre Dame growing up it was a dream of mine to go here. The academics are top notch…..it wasn’t a 4 year decision it was a 40 year decision. They have a great coach and a wonderful staff.” |
| What Irish Fans Can Expect: “They should expect a player that works 110 % all the time. Someone who will be a leader on and off the field.”
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| On Coach Weis'recent visit: “It went well, he is a great guy. He has a plan that is unbelievable and there is no one that is going to stop him. He is unstoppable. He has turned this team around and is bringing in a great recruiting class that I will be apart of.” |
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LB - Toryan Smith |
| Hgt:6-1 Wgt:230 40:4.7 |
| Anticipated Position: Middle Linebacker |
| Season Stats: 117 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, 3 ints |
| Awards: First Team All-State, All Region Player |
| Final Schools: Georgia, Florida, Oklahoma, UCLA, Nebraska, and Alabama |
| Why He Chose ND: “They have the best coach, it’s a special class and it’s the best quality education you can get” |
| What Irish Fans Can Expect: “They should expect a player that works 110 % all the time. Someone who will be a leader on and off the field.”
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Goals coming into the season: “I think I am coming into a good situation with some young guys. I want to come in and start”
Toryan is planning on coming up for the Spring Game and taking in some practices. He stated he would be at ND for a couple days. |
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LB - Morrice Richardson |
| Hgt:6-2 Wgt:230 40:4.7 |
| Anticipated Position: Will Linebacker |
| Season Stats: 85 tackles, 12 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 touchdowns |
| Awards: Georgia Gatorade Player of the year, First Team All-State, AJAC Defensive MVP, Unsung hero award given by his team |
| Final Schools: Virginia Tech, Oklahoma, Ohio St., Florida, Georgia Tech, and Alabama |
| Why He Chose ND: “Great football and academics and the chance to see a different setting besides Atlanta back drop” |
| What Irish Fans Can Expect: “Hard-nosed player, a smart player, someone who has a non stop motor, someone who makes plays - a team player”
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Goals coming into the season: "Learn the system, devote myself to the playbook and compete for a starting job. I want ND to be known for their linebackers. My long term goal is to be a Butkus award winner”
Morrice is planning on coming up for the Spring Game and taking in some practices. |
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CB - Raeshon McNeil |
| Hgt:6-0 Wgt:180 40:4.4 |
| Anticipated Position: Cornerback |
Season Stats: 7 interceptions, 740 yards receiving.
Returned 2 punts and a kick-off for a touchdown |
| Awards: U.S. Army All-American Bowl, All-State, All-Northwest, Shrine Bowl |
| Final Schools: Virginia Tech, Clemson, Virginia and North Carolina |
| Why He Chose ND: “The relationship with the coaches and great academics” |
| What Irish Fans Can Expect: “An excellent football player and someone who has a great passion for the game”
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CB - Darrin Walls |
| Hgt:6-1 Wgt:175 40:4.4 |
| Anticipated Position: Cornerback |
| Season Stats: 20 tackles, 2 interceptions, 5 pass deflections |
| Awards: U.S. Army All-American Bowl Intivation, Frist Team All-Conference, Frist Team All-Quad, Fabulous 22, Second Team All-State |
| Final Schools: USC, Florida, and Michigan |
| Why He Chose ND: “The relationship with the coaches and great academics” |
| What Irish Fans Can Expect: “A player that brings some excitement”
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Goals coming into the season: “Work as hard as I can and see wherever I can fall in”
Darrin might attend spring game |
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S - Leonard Gordon |
| Hgt:5-11 Wgt:195 40:4.5 |
| Anticipated Position: Strong Safety |
| Season Stats: 98 tackles, 2 interceptions returned for touchdown , 8 pass deflections |
| Awards: Team Defensive player of the year, Captain award |
| Final Schools: LSU, Penn St., Arkansas, Louisville, West Virginia, Kentucky, Duke, and Vandy |
| Why He Chose ND: “I felt comfortable with the coaches and players, it kind of reminds me of my team. It also was the guys that are coming in my class.” |
| What Irish Fans Can Expect: “A hard worker and a smart player. I pick up formations easy. I am coach-able and I only have to be told once”
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| Goals coming into the season: “Just to work as hard as possible”
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S - Sergio Brown |
| Hgt:6-2 Wgt:195 40:4.4 |
| Anticipated Position: Free Safety |
| Season Stats: 60 tackles, 3 Interceptions, 3 fumble recoveries, punt returned for touchdown |
| Awards: Team Defensive player of the year, Captain award |
| Final Schools: LSU, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, and UCLA |
| Why He Chose ND: “The new coaching staff, a chance to play early and its not just about football there. When you graduate from there you have a powerful degree” |
| What Irish Fans Can Expect: “A hard worker and a smart player. I pick up formations easy. I am coach-able and I only have to be told once”
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Goals coming into the season: “Someone who is explosive and breaks on the ball. I can read the QB nicely and I like to hit”
Likely to attend spring game
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S - Jashaad Gaines |
| Hgt:6-0 Wgt:190 40:4.5 |
| Anticipated Position: Strong Safety |
| Season Stats: 60 Tackles, 2 Interceptions |
| Awards: All-State, First Team All-Region, Gatorade Player of the Year Nevada |
| Final Schools: Stanford, Oklahoma, Washington, Utah, and Arizona St. |
| Why He Chose ND: “It is a real well rounded school and how the coaches have came in and turned things around.Just a great school.” |
| What Irish Fans Can Expect: “A hard worker and a smart player. I pick up formations easy. I am coach-able and I only have to be told once”
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| Goals coming into the season: “Someone who works hard and does what ever the coaches and team needs”
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