New Notre Dame Offer Notes | Still Looking for a 2nd TE
Notre Dame picked up a big commitment from a second cornerback,, but despite that they continue to be aggressive with another offer at the position. They aren’t sitting back and waiting at tight end either while trying to add another player to go along with Cane Berrong in the 2021 class.
Throw in another 2021 edge rusher and two more 2022 prospects and it was another busy week in terms of new offers.
TE Erik Olsen (Colorado)
I really liked what I saw from Olsen’s film. The level of competition is bad, but he’s an agile mover and he’s a big target with soft hands. He does a nice job running tough after the catch while demonstrating good body control as a receiver. He has above average short area quickness for a guy his size as well.
This is someone who I believe is underrated nationally. He’s not as explosive of an athlete as Thomas Fidone or Brock Bowers, but has a huge frame who flashes some pop as in-line blocker.
Grade: 92 (4-star)
ATH Chance Tucker (California)
Tucker has really good ball skills. This is someone who knows how to find the football, which is maybe the most important skill for a corner. He’s comfortable playing off or in press and displays strong instincts in zone coverage.
He’s raw with his technique in press man. Right now he’s just an athlete matching up like a basketball defender, but when he improves his technique he’s going to be really good. He does a fantastic job of playing the hands of the receiver and is also a solid tackler. He shows he can sink his hips and redirect well. His ability to change directions is solid. H
e’s been timed running 10.97 100 meters and is a multi-position player for his team. He checks the size and speed boxes. This is a very good prospect with a lot of tools to work with.
Grade: 91 (4-star)
DE Dallas Turner (Florida)
Clearly Notre Dame had some other defensive ends higher on their board, which is why Turner didn’t receive an offer earlier. But he is an elite prospect with an explosive first step and a chance to develop into an exceptional pass rusher.
He flashes a nice long arm stab when getting after the passer, has a good spin move, and has a high motor.
He moves well to not get reached, but needs to establish a stronger punch to better set the edge and has work to do against the run. That part is a lot easier to teach than his athletic traits.
Turner also plays receiver on offense and is the kind of athlete who can go up and get it over the top of defenders. He’s a big time athlete.
Grade: 93 (4-star)
2022
LB Langston Patterson (Tennessee)
While Patterson may not be an elite athlete, it’s never a bad sign when a linebacker plays running back on offense. He has great recognition skills and that’s part of what make him an effective Green Dog blitzer.
Patterson does a nice job working his way through the trash against the inside run game. Is he a two-down Mike linebacker? He has the chance to be more because he seems to identify things well in coverage and has some lateral explosiveness as a pass rusher. He takes good angles and is a very good tackler in space because of that.
Instincts are critical at this position and Patterson already has those at an early stage of his development.
Grade: 90 (4-star)
OL Drew Shelton (Pennsylvania)
He moves really well as a puller and can get out in space on screens. Though he clearly needs to add weight, it’s a good sign that he has put on pounds since the end of the season as Matt Freeman mentioned after speaking with Shelton.
I want to see a bit more consistent violence from him out of his stance, but he works to finish. He’s raw with his pass set, but you can see the easy movement skills. Shelton has some nastiness to his game as well.
He reminds me a lot of Walker Parks from the 2020 cycle. He was someone Notre Dame offered after his sophomore season as well and Parks eventually developed into a top-100 prospect who will likely play left tackle at Clemson.
Grade: 89 (3-star)