Strike up the band! Blue-chip wide receiver Lorenzo Styles jumped into Notre Dame’s 2021 class, roughly 24 hours after top 60 wide receiver Deion Colzie did the same. Like Colzie, Styles lives in the home city of another college football blue-blood; Colzie in Athens, Styles in Columbus. Getting these guys is remarkable anyway, but even more so in Styles’s case as he’s an Ohio State football legacy.

Absolutely fantastic work by the staff to get on Styles early, make him feel wanted and comfortable, and seal the deal. The 6’1″, 170-pounder bumps the 2021 class up to #3 in the 247 Composite; at #102 overall himself, he’s somewhat unbelievably only the sixth-highest ranked commit in the 2021 class. I believe this is what is typically called a “hot streak”…

Recruiting Service Rankings

247Sports Composite — 4 star (.9577), #102 overall, #21 WR, #4 in OH

247Sports — 4 star (93 rating), #120 overall, #18 WR, #6 in OH

Rivals — 4 star (6.0 rating), #28 overall, #4 WR, #2 in OH

ESPN — 4 star (82 rating), #205 overall, #50 WR, #6 in OH

Irish Sports Daily — 4 star (95 rating)

Cohort

In addition to Notre Dame and Ohio State, who was recruiting him as a DB/WR, Styles had offers from Auburn, Florida, Michigan, Nebraska, Penn State, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, among many others.

Highlights

Man, there’s a lot to like here. Styles is explosive in and out of his cuts and has excellent top speed. He shows soft hands and does an excellent job of snatching the ball out of the air. He also has excellent body control, as exhibited on the first play here when he toe-tapped the back of the end zone. Maybe the best part of the film though is how physical Styles plays on defense – he’s tough kid who brings it on every play here.

Impact

The 2020 receiver class, with Jordan Johnson, Xavier Watts, and Jay Brunelle, will pose an obstacle for the 2021 class. Even so, it’s hard to see Colzie and Styles staying off the field for too long. Styles has a lot of polish on this sophomore film – I could definitely see him coming in ready to contribute early and often. Even if he doesn’t contribute right away I believe he’s starter material for sure.

Welcome to the Irish Family, Lorenzo!