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As the curtain is about to drop on this year’s recruiting class, Notre Dame hopes there is at least one more act to the play. Though the 2008 class of Irish recruits will arguably represent the best class in Weis’s tenure, the staff isn’t resting on their laurels, nor have they completely turned their attention to 2009.
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Two highly rated recruits will be visiting South Bend before Signing Day as Notre Dame attempts to put an exclamation point on the class of 2008. What have you been missing by not being a member of Irish Eyes?
Notre Dame’s nineteen sacks screams for the need of better pass rushers. They hope to make a last minute addition of a player that could drastically improve that number down the road. Keith Wells, DE, 6-5, 235, Gainesville High School, Gainesville, GA will be visiting Notre Dame before Signing Day. Scout.com ranks Wells as a four-star prospect and the number sixteen defensive end in the nation. Though the talented Georgian does not have an Irish offer, the coaching staff has promised him that will change with a visit.
“They didn’t offer me yet, they told me they’d offer me if I came up for an official visit,” said Wells. “I think I’m going to do that either this weekend or next weekend. I’m not really sure which weekend yet.”
Though Wells had narrowed his list of choices to two, Tennessee and Ohio State, Notre Dame could jump into the mix with a good visit.
“It’s just those two, but I’ve always been interested in Notre Dame,” said Wells. “If I like my visit, they’ll definitely be under consideration. I like the academics up there. I just have to see how I like the school and everything.”
It’s always a good sign when recruits visit with their parents. Wells’ mother plans to make the trip with him.
“I think my mom will be coming with me,” Wells informed. “She wants to see Notre Dame as well.”
Though the Irish entered the race late, Wells claims that won’t hurt them.
“I’ve been interested in them all along,” he said. “I want to see what they have to offer.”
Joining Wells as a late in the game visitor to South Bend will be Milton Knox. Knox, RB, 5-8, 196, Birmingham Senior High School, Van Nuys, CA has long been interested in Notre Dame and the Irish have long been interested in him. However, the talented running back just recently earned an ACT score that enabled him to pass Notre Dame admissions. When that happened, the Irish offered him a scholarship. Since that time, the Notre Dame coaching staff has been putting on the full-court press.
“They told me they were offering and wanted me to come out and visit next weekend,” said Knox. “I’ve always liked Notre Dame. I can’t jump to any conclusions yet. I need to see the campus and the coaching staff. I’m really looking forward to my visit.”
Scout.com ranks Knox as a four-star prospect and the thirtieth best running back in the nation. Knox’s cutting and slashing style would serve as a nice complement to the power running style of Irish recruit Jonas Gray.
“Being more of a slasher, game-breaking running back,” Knox said. “The running back they have now is a big bruiser. They said I can be an every down back, but that is what they’re interested in.”
As a senior, Knox ran for 2210 yards and 39 touchdowns in helping his Birmingham football team to an LA city sectional championship. He finished his high school career just 50 yards shy of the area large school record.
Despite the late offer, Knox ranks the Irish very high on his list.
“Just the tradition of the school,” Knox said in explaining the attraction to Notre Dame. “Who wouldn’t want to play at Notre Dame? It’s probably one of the most storied programs, not just in football, but in U.S. history. It’s a special place.”
These two summaries represent just a sample of the Notre Dame football recruiting information available each week on Irish Eyes.
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