Notre Dame S Kyle Hamilton Ascending
It's been a quick ascension to the top for Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton.
Two years ago, the Atlanta native was ranked as a three-star prospect and some services had him in the ranked in the 1600s.
Fast forward to today and ESPN has him as the fifth-best safety in college football....as a true sophomore.
ESPN's Anthony Treash wrote this as he ranked Hamilton at No. 5:
"True freshman safety Hamilton could not have done much more in coverage for the Fighting Irish last season. The 6-foot-4 defensive back finished among the five best safeties in the country in PFF coverage grade and had more interceptions plus pass breakups (nine) than catches allowed (seven). That production paved the way to a 1.3 passer rating allowed. Hamilton read quarterbacks like books and made special plays all season. He'll be a vital piece to the Irish secondary the next couple of seasons."
As a freshman, Hamilton played in all 13 games for the Irish and recorded four interceptions. The four picks put him in an elite category as only four freshmen in the FBS accomplished that feat.
The former Marist (Ga.) star also recorded 41 tackles and six pass breakups in 2019.
Hamilton was rewarded as he was named Freshman All-American by The Athletic and Co-Defensive Newcomer of the Year for Notre Dame.
2020 could be a big year for Hamilton as his 6-foot-4 frame is up to 221 pounds.
ISD spoke to Ed Miller, who trains Hamilton in March and he raved about the safety's ceiling.
"The kid is good and he's only going to get better. That's the scary thing. How much better can this kid get? I really don't think there is a limit to it because he's 6-foot-4, 215 pounds. I think Notre Dame wants him playing at 220. How many 6-foot-4 safeties are there? How many 6-foot-4, 220 safeties are there who have a 40-inch vertical, almost a 12-foot broad jump and can run a 10-yard split in 1.66. There's not very many."
And when it comes to his weight, Miller also said Hamilton is fine where he's at and it's more about strength at this point in his career.
"I really don't think he has to put on a lot," said Miller "If he stayed at 215 and got stronger, he wouldn't have to put on any weight. You don't always have to put on weight to get stronger.
"If he got around 225 or 230, I don't think he could - well, I don't want to say he couldn't because he would do it just to piss me off. If he continues to play safety, 215-220 is where he kind of needs to live. Could he play heavier than that? Sure. Should he do it? That's the question."