This weekend, Notre Dame will host ‘The Echoes’ awards banquet. In addition to some top uncommitted prospects being in town, a large chunk of Notre Dame’s committed class will be in attendance. This event serves as a popular weekend for post-regular season official visits. It should serve as a fun, yet pivotal couple days for Notre Dame’s 2017 class.
Uncommitted
To start, the Irish added a giant visitor to the list for the weekend. DB Greg Johnson out of California will be making the trip by himself for his official visit. Johnson recently decommitted from Arizona and now will likely end up at Notre Dame, Nebraska, or USC. Getting him on campus was a huge victory in itself, especially for the busiest weekend before National Signing Day.
Second Official Visit set to Notre Dame #goirish ☘️ pic.twitter.com/WCstRrV0o3
— greg johnson (@quick6gjohnson) December 9, 2016
The Irish will have their two top uncommitted WR prospects in South Bend this weekend in Oliver Martin and Jamire Calvin. It is probably safe to say that at least one of these two will end up in this class.
Oliver Martin is between Notre Dame and Michigan Iowa now. A native of Iowa City, IA, ND will have to pull him from his hometown.
In Calvin’s case, Notre Dame is in a head-to-head battle with Nebraska. Calvin will end up at one of these two schools, but Notre Dame should feel pretty good about their chances if they push hard for him. This will serve as his official visit.
Next, potentially the most important player left on Notre Dame’s board is Joshua Paschal. He will make his official visit and be on campus for the first time since this summer. Paschal wanted to commit to the Irish during the summer, but was not academically ready at the time. He has now put in a good deal of work in the classroom and is a realistic option for the Irish. However, Kentucky and Oklahoma loom large. If Notre Dame plans on gaining his commitment, they will need to blow him away this weekend.
Committed
In a terrifying post-Pete Werner decommitment era, there was much concern that the 2017 class was bound to unravel. However, the squad has responded with impressive resilience! Many have been active on social media and brought some reassurance to our ever so poised fanbase.
Confirmed to be in attendance:
Avery Davis – QB
Cole Kmet – TE
Brock Wright – TE
CJ Holmes – RB
Jordan Pouncey – WR
Robert Hainsey – OL
Josh Lugg – OL
Dillan Gibbons – OL
Darnell Ewell – DT
Jonathon MacCollister – SDE
Isaiah Robertson – S
Ovie Oghoufo – LB (2018)
S/O to the best HC @CoachBrianKelly ☘ in the country and Best RB coach @autrydenson ☘coming thru this morning. 4pm Flight 👀 Next Stop: SB 😎 pic.twitter.com/OHP9555hHP
— 🛩 (@CjHo1mes) December 8, 2016
WHOLE SQUAD MEETING IN THE BEND DEC. 9th🔥🔥🔥🍀
— Isaiah Robertson (@AlMightyzay_1) December 1, 2016
Good to see you, @CoachHiestand I can’t wait till #Echos with the #Luckyboyz pic.twitter.com/khsbxTearH
— Dillan R. Gibbons (@GibbonsDillan) December 2, 2016
ND Nation 🍀.. I will be coming down this weekend for Echoes! ☘️ Can’t wait to be back in South Bend! #WeAreND #GoIrish 🏡 pic.twitter.com/tClaCsCpJi
— Ovie Oghoufo (@OVO17_) December 7, 2016
😍😍😍☘️ I’ll be there Friday! pic.twitter.com/bcOjjFyCsN
— PounceyNumbaSeven™ (@_pouncey) December 4, 2016
Award Predictions
Newcomer of the Year: Offense – KJ Stepherson
Newcomer of the Year: Defense – Julian Love
Special Teams Player of the Year –Scott Daly
Offensive Lineman of the Year – Quenton Nelson
Irish Around the Bend – Mike McGlinchey
Moose Krause Lineman of the Year – Isaac Rochell
Father Lange Iron Cross – Daelin Hayes
Pietrosante Award – James Onwualu
Rockne Student-Athlete – Drue Tranquill
Offensive Player of the Year – Equanimeous St. Brown
Defensive Player of the Year – Nyles Morgan
Most Valuable Player – DeShone Kizer
Nice preview, tough to disagree with any of the award predictions but I might give a vote to Studstill for defensive newcomer. Can’t go wrong with Love, though.
Glad to see recruits so positive. Nice break from all the negativity around the fanbase.
Banks trending to us on the crystal ball. Quick Foster, before there’s no room!
He’s Irish.
Brendan has a commit post coming up soon.
Great momentum before the weekend has even started! Awesome.