In response to complaints earlier today that we hadn’t written a commit post in days, we’re pleased to announce that we convinced blue-chip tight end Cane Berrong to pledge to the Irish. The 6’4″, 220-pound Georgian becomes the fifth member of the 2021 class and the third to jump on board in the last week. Berrong visited Notre Dame a couple of weeks ago in the middle of a whirlwind tour; since the start of the month, he visited Alabama, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Michigan, and Florida State, in order.
At #123 overall in the 247 Composite, Berrong is somewhat unbelievably the second-lowest ranked commit in Notre Dame’s 2021 class, ahead of #199 overall Greg Crippen. You might say that 2021 recruiting is going pretty well.
God. Country. Notre Dame.
I am beyond blessed and excited to announce that I am committed to The University of Notre Dame to further my academic and athletic career. #GoldRush21☘️ #GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/coc7xnXCVA
— Cane Berrong (@CaneBerrong) June 21, 2019
Recruiting Service Rankings
247Sports Composite — 4 star (.9380), #123 overall, #2 TE, #13 in GA
247Sports — 4 star (94 rating), #61 overall, #1 TE, #6 in GA
Rivals — 4 star (5.8 rating), NR overall, #6 TE, #17 in GA
ESPN — Not Yet Rated
Irish Sports Daily — 4 star (92 rating)
Cohort
In addition to Notre Dame, Cane Berrong holds offers from Alabama, Arizona State, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Iowa, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia Tech, and Wisconsin, among others. Wow.
Highlights
Berrong’s tape reminds of Jacob Lacey’s. You might think that’s odd since Lacey is a DT, but it has nothing to do with position… Like Berrong, Lacey committed very early, so all we had to look at then was sophomore tape. When I watched Lacey’s sophomore tape, I had to keep reminding myself that he was a sophomore because he didn’t look like one. He looked more dominant than most senior DTs we had recruited in the last couple of decades.
I get that same feeling watching Cane Berrong. He already looks like a dominant offensive force at times, and he’s only 15 on this tape. That’s nuts! He looks every bit of his listed measurements. He shows plus speed (took up track this year and ran an 11.4 100M) and extraordinary agility for his size. He puts that size to very good use in the open field, as he’s a load to bring down with a head of steam. He has soft, sure hands and does a good job of attacking the ball away from his body.
He needs work on his blocking. The biggest problem I saw was that when he’s inline, he tends to catch defenders when he should initiate contact. When he’s pulling or blocking from the H-back spot he looks much more comfortable and is more aggressive at first contact, so he has the mentality. And after all, HE’S A SOPHOMORE. Insane.
Impact
Berrong likely won’t have to contribute until his sophomore year in South Bend. By then, Tommy Tremble and George Takacs might be redshirt seniors (or one or both might be gone), and Michael Mayer and Kevin Bauman will be juniors. If any of those guys don’t pan out, or if Tremble or Takacs pans out really well and goes pro early, opportunity will certainly be there. Once he gets on the field, I believe Berrong has the traits he needs to continue Notre Dame’s proud tradition of producing NFL tight ends. Yeah. I said it.
Welcome to the Irish family, Cane!
Photo Credit: Irish Sports Daily
Love going out on a branch at the end. Word was he was Chip Long’s #1 tight end target and he got it, just like he got his top 2 for 2020. Awesome stuff. Never really have to worry about TE recruiting but still sweet to go into Georgia and get a guy like this instead of seeing him go to UGA or Clemson or Ohio State or something.
Recruiting is rolling now, this staff is really hitting on all cylinders. Wonderful stuff, loved seeing that highlight tape.
Laughed out loud at the intro of this post.
That first sentence is pure gold.
Yall keep up the great crootin you have going on. I love all of the short passing plays the team was running. Those should be there all day.
You guys are so responsive to my comments! I take back every time I called you lazy.
But ugh, not even top 100 composite. Next time can you convince a 5 star.
Typical user. “Look at this awesome thing I built exactly to your specifications!!!” “Um, yeah, it’s OK, but can it also do calculus and breathe fire?”
You people are never happy. I swear, they don’t pay me enough to put up with this.
I will be ok with the measly #123 player IFF he breathes fire (doesn’t even need to do calculus). Can you make that happen?