Tjena, grabben! Jordan Genmark Heath became the 16th commitment in Notre Dame’s 2017 recruiting class when he announced for the Irish today. The 6-2, 205 lb athlete had been committed to Cal since early October, but opened things up when Sonny Dykes was fired and the future in Berkeley was uncertain. Notre Dame made a big move for this high-academic prospect when they offered barely two weeks ago, securing an official visit last weekend and making a big impression when he was on campus.
Genmark Heath has a very interesting background. He was born and raised in Sweden, where he became the starting quarterback for the national under-19 team at the ripe old age of 15. He has limited time playing competitive US high school football, and his technique shows it, but he’s already built like a truck (for a defensive back) and showcases loads of athleticism. He’s a great candidate for the rover and strong safety positions in Mike Elko’s defense.
Recruiting Service Rankings
247 – 4 star (91 rating), #230 overall, #22 ATH, #26 in CA
Rivals – 3 star (5.6 rating), NR overall, #67 ATH, #73 in CA
Scout – 3 star, NR overall, #41 ATH, #66 in CA
ESPN – 3 star (76 rating), NR, #73 ATH, #79 in CA
247 Composite – 3 star (.8649 rating), #543 overall, #38 S, #55 in CA
Cohort
In addition to Notre Dame and Cal, he holds offers from Yale, Harvard, Columbia, Dartmouth, Northwestern, Vanderbilt (yeah, he’s smart), Boston College, Oregon State, Utah, and Washington State. He drew some interest, but not an offer, from Stanford as well.
Highlights
One thing to keep in mind is that Jordan is about a year older than most of his classmates, due to time lost while his family was travelling. Even considering that, though, he’s extremely impressive physically and you see that translate to the field over and over in this senior year highlight reel. While he definitely doesn’t have elite top end speed, I was very impressed with his acceleration and with how easily he got in and out of cuts as a ball carrier. He might not be a burner, but I do think he can be explosive athletically at the next level. He plays a nice centerfield and displays good field vision and patience when he has the ball in his hands. He also shows the power of a linebacker when he hits, whether he’s tackling or running; I really loved how even when he was on offense he wanted to deliver the hit. This kid loves contact. Also, and perhaps most impressively for a guy who has played as little football stateside as he has, I was surprised by how good his play recognition is.
His technique, particularly when tackling, needs a lot of work, which is hardly surprising. He gets to the right spot at the right time and he definitely delivers a blow when he gets there, but he needs to work on getting low and wrapping up. Other than when he’s covering the deep middle, there’s not really any film of him in coverage in there, so it’s hard to know how effective he is in that aspect. I would expect that he would need some time to hone that technique and to adjust to the college game, though.
Impact
I wouldn’t be terribly surprised if Genmark Heath redshirts in 2017, but I wouldn’t be all that surprised to see him out there on special teams coverage either. If he adjusts to the next level and takes to coaching, he has all the tools to make a meaningful defensive contribution no later than 2018. I could see him working into the rotation in 2018 and potentially starting at rover or even growing into a Will linebacker in a couple of years. All in all, the Irish are getting an uber-athletic guy with versatility who needs polish, but will be a monster if everything works out.
Välkommen til familjen irländska, Jordan!
Refreshing to finally get a commit, hopefully a few of the others will now follow. He’s a big, physical dude. Can never have enough on defense right now
Agree completely. He’s also a multi-sport guy – I didn’t include this in the article, but at different points in his onshore high school career he has played soccer, basketball, and lacrosse as well. And he played quarterback last year for Central Catholic. Once he focuses full-time on football, and on defense, I think he could take some really big strides.
I don’t think you mentioned it above, but at least from the film, it looks like he has pretty decent ball skills. Like you said, it’s definitely a positive in terms of awareness, ball skills, and athleticism that he is a multi-sport athlete and played on both sides of the ball.
Some much-needed good news on the recruiting trail.
ND will be seriously remiss in their duties if they don’t have some Dungen lined up to play over the loud-speakers anytime this guy makes a play.
I was hoping for either Abba or Ace of Base. How about a mash-up of I Saw the Sign and Chiquitita?
Dude, that would be awesome. College football desperately needs indie psych to displace classic rock in stadiums.
Our resident lacrosse expert, nd-atl, just pointed this one out to us… Genmark-Heath’s backfield mate is none other than Morrison Mirer, Rick’s son, who will be playing lacrosse for Notre Dame next season. Small world, indeed.
Looks really good in tight spaces. I think he is perfect for that rover position. You frequently see him explode past people, to be caught eventually, which really shows his acceleration.
This guy looks like a football player. I think he could excel almost anywhere. I imagine him being the kind of guy you hated playing in HS, or in a pick-up game. Has a bit of cockiness which I like to see.
His tackling technique is almost laughably bad at times, but he delivers tons of big hits. He actually inspired me go watch some old Urlacher Lobos highlights.
TWSS
“Looks really good in tight spaces.”
18 Stripes After Dark???
The 2017 Justin Brent Memorial Irish Football Player Most Likely to Hook Up With An Adult Entertainment Star?
To this day, my proudest post on all of the interwebs (i.e. just here) is my OFDAD scouting report on Lisa Ann.
I got into this blog and its predecessor after that and I didn’t know Lisa Ann was the star in question for the longest time but that blew my mind. That’s elite.
This is great news. Tons of upside, love the name and the twitter handle.
@A little late on recruiting someone who could possibly understand BVG’s scheme.@
I bring nothing to the conversation. I first saw this guy a few weeks ago on the recent offer. Look at the neck!! Look at the frame!! Look at the smile!! Welcome to the Irish young man… I sometimes have trouble figuring out who is the RKG but I’m going out on a limb and saying JGH is the RKG. Thanks and Go Irish!!!!
A grown-ass man with a fetish for the thickest-necked teenagers out there?
Is that you, commenter formerly known as jchrapek?!?
Minutes after making the post, I feared that comment might come back to haunt me!!