Welcome back to the 18S Big Board for Fighting Irish football. Today we are taking a look at Notre Dame’s targets at linebacker — a position where the staff hit it big a few months ago.
| Score | Name | State | Ht./Wt. | Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| .998 | Dylan Moses | FL | 6-2/220 | Cold |
| .993 | Baron Browning | TX | 6-3/230 | Cool |
| .969 | Drew Singleton | NJ | 6-2/215 | Cold |
| .965 | Anthony Hines | TX | 6-3/225 | Cold |
| .961 | Nate McBride | GA | 6-2/220 | Cold |
| .956 | Justin Foster | NC | 6-4/240 | Cool |
| .937 | Hamsah Nasirildeen | NC | 6-3/210 | Cold |
| .935 | Nathan Proctor | MD | 6-2/205 | Cold |
| .917 | Will Ignont | AL | 6-2/240 | Cold |
| .914 | Jacob Phillips | TN | 6-3.5/230 | Warm |
| .892 | Ellis Brooks | VA | 6-2/235 | Cold |
| .881 | De’Andre Wilder | FL | 6-2/200 | Cold |
In Play
LSU is the favorite to land Dylan Moses. Dylan is originally from Louisiana. Couple that with his very pro-LSU tweeting habits, and this one seems pretty obvious. Right?
Baron Browning visited South Bend earlier in the summer. There was some scuttlebutt that his older brother was in the running for a job at Notre Dame, but that did not come to fruition. If his older brother had gotten a job at ND, the Irish would likely be in the running for him. But reports are that things just didn’t click enough on his visit for the Irish to be considered a serious threat to land him at this point.
Drew Singleton came out with a Top 12 about a week and a half ago (it did not include the Irish), but the kid should probably just quit slow-playing it and commit to Michigan already. We all know that’s how this one is going to end up.
Anthony Hines is a kid with 90 (!) reported offers at the moment. He came out with a Top 10 last month that did not include Notre Dame.
From 90 to 10….dreams to reality!! S/o to the boy @Hayesfawcett3 !! My Top 10 schools in the link below!! https://t.co/7RkpG18OYo
— Anthony Hines III® (@TheAntHines_Era) July 7, 2016
Nate McBride came out with a Top 5 back in June. This list also did not include Notre Dame.
Top 5 right here! No order! pic.twitter.com/cYO2SRYUvX
— nate mcbride (@nmcbride13) June 22, 2016
Justin Foster might actually be better suited for the defensive ends big board. He’s got the size and he’s probably better suited for the position athletically. I’ve heard the staff is targeting him at end as well. He seems pretty adamant about wanting to play linebacker, however. If he changes his mind, expect the Irish to be in the running.
Alabama seems to be picking up steam with Hamsah Nasirildeen. This is an athletic kid who could play linebacker, safety, or even receiver.
Nathan Proctor is still sporting some excellent facial hair. Nothing happening between him and ND right now, so nothing more needs to be said.
I had a great time visiting The #Gators #ChompChomp 🔶🔷🐊🐊 pic.twitter.com/66K5SmESMb
— Nathan Proctor Jr. (@Nate_la_gran_21) July 23, 2016
It looks like Will Ignont‘s decision will come down to Auburn, Alabama, and maybe Georgia. Will was going to play at IMG this year, but it looks like he’s decided to head back to his hometown of New Market, Alabama to play for Buckhorn High School.
Jacob Phillips is Notre Dame’s prime target at linebacker right now. They like him as a pass-rushing linebacker who can wreak havoc in the backfield. Jacob came out with his Top 5 a few weeks ago, and Notre Dame made this list. He will make his official visit to Notre Dame for the September 17th game against Michigan State. This one appeared to be a close battle between the Irish and Oklahoma, but then some news recently came out that Alabama gained a heavy lead out of nowhere. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s true, but I’m also skeptical, considering other sources claimed Notre Dame led just a couple days prior to that. Sometimes, recruiting is just…
Ellis Brooks reached out to the Irish staff a while back after he decommitted from Duke, but the staff basically told him they like where they are at with their board and he should look elsewhere.
De’Andre Wilder has continued to have Miami at or near the top of his board throughout the process. He’ll likely make official visits to the Hurricanes plus Alabama, Florida, Michigan, and Michigan State.
In the Fold
All three of Notre Dame’s commitments at linebacker came shortly after the March Junior Day event — all in a span of about a day.
David Adams (.9449) is from Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School (PA).
Pete Werner (.8983) is from in-state Cathedral High School in Indianapolis (IN).
Drew White (.8452) hails from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale (FL).
Committed Elsewhere
Levi Draper committed to Oklahoma.
Josh Ross committed to Michigan.
Sampson Niu committed to Oregon.
Malik Robinson committed to North Carolina.
VanDarius Cowan committed to Florida State, then flipped to Alabama.
Antjuan Simmons committed to Ohio State.
Chandler Wooten committed to Auburn.
