New Offer Notes | Defense
Notre Dame has sent almost a dozen recent offers to 2021 recruits and they are smart to do so. Most of these prospects would have been offered on campus or during the evaluation period. Those are off the table currently so the staff had to make a move at some positions.
The focus on defense was at defensive back with six offers out. Mike Mickens is clearly not waiting to make an impact on the recruiting trail.
CB Ryan Barnes (Maryland)
Barnes is a super long corner with potential to be great playing press man coverage. He needs some technical work there with his feet and hands, but the size and ability to flip and run are there.
He does a good job attacking the football in the air and is a solid wrap tackler. He needs to improve block destruction, but he’s a prospect with a high ceiling.
Grade: 88 (3-star)
ATH Zakee Wheatley (Maryland)
Wheatley has a bit of Cam Hart body type, which is fitting because i’m not quite sure if he’s a receiver or defensive back at the next level. Whatever he is, he’s a good athlete that could plug into a roster and get it figured out later on.
I would like to see a bit smoother transitions and more twitch, but he’s got some bite as a tackler. He is big and plays big. I like his versatility, his recognition skills in coverage, and his toughness after the catch on offense. I could see him ending up at corner or safety on defense.
Grade: 90 (4-star)
CB Philip Riley (Florida)
I’m a fan of Riley’s game. I just love the compete level. He tracks it really well and is very physical in press. That’s how he wins.
He competes against really good competition and shows the ability to be an all-around player at corner. He does a great job defeating blocks and is a strong tackler. I’d say there are other corners that are a bit smoother as athletes, but they aren’t as good football players. He gets into the body of receivers and can finish.
Grade: 91 (4-star)
DB Terrion Arnold (Florida)
Arnold is a top basketball prospect as well. He’s a standout two-way athlete on the footbball field with impressive twitch. He shows he can go up and get the football on offense or defense and absolutely hits through people. He’s a tombstone tackler.
He shows the range to play deep as a safety and he’d be intriguing to see at cornerback as well. Arnold has fantastic lateral agility and his potential is sky high in my opinion.
Grade: 92 (4-star)
CB Sam Jackson (Illinois)
Maybe the most intriguing of the offers because of the lack of film on defense. While playing quarterback on offense, it’s evident that he’s a great reactive athlete with elite change of direction. The short area quickness jumps out at you.
To me, he looks tiny and that would be my question about him and is probably something they would have liked to evaluate in person. But even without that, it’s hard not watch him and see a bit of TaRiq Bracy.
Grade: 89 (3-star)
S Rod Moore (Ohio)
I think Notre Dame likes him at corner, but I like him at safety. He has plenty of ball production (gets his hands on the football) and does a great job tracking it.
He displays solid pop as a tackler and looks much longer than I expected. He flashes some return ability and with the fluidness with his hips, he does demonstrate some corner skills to line up and play man coverage.
Grade: 88 (3-star)