Recruiting Week In Review
Written by Joe Bradshaw
Some college sports pundits are fond of saying that it’s not about the X’s and the O’s but the Jimmy’s and the Joes. Given some of the comments by new Notre Dame Defensive Coordinator Marcus Freeman, he doesn’t subscribe to that view but no one can doubt that he’s out there trying to get the great recruits necessary to field a dominant defense. Freeman, in his short time at Notre Dame has been a force on the recruiting trail and there’s no indication that’s going to let up.
Last week, Irish Sports Daily reported on two prospects that have already been impacted by Freeman’s hiring. What have you been missing by not being a member of Irish Sports Daily?
Class of 2022 recruit Jarred Kerr, DB, 6-0, 185, Lexington High School, Lexington, TX was initially offered by the Irish as a safety but has recently been “re-offered” as a cornerback.
“They watched film with the new DC and they actually re-offered me as a corner,” Kerr explained. “With my size, six foot and a half and 185, they feel like that’s a more solid corner size for the League than safety.”
In fact, Kerr is so versatile, that he can play positions on both sides of the ball but admitted that he prefers defense. Beyond that, he just wants to play.
“Whichever one I can play my role in,” he said.
Kerr holds a number of offers besides Notre Dame including Texas, Texas A&M and Oklahoma. He plans to stay in contact with the Irish, contact that will eventually involve Freeman.
“(Special Teams Coach and Recruiting Coordinator Brian Polian) said having a lot of communication because he said they were off a little on recruiting during the playoff time,” Kerr said of the Irish message.
At least for now, Notre Dame has Kerr’s attention.
“Just the brand they have,” he said. “The academics they have too, that’s a big, big thing.”
Kerr said he’s being recruited the most heavily by Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Texas, Baylor and Florida. Of course, the COVID-related recruiting dead period has prevented him from getting out and visiting his schools of interest. As soon as the restrictions are lifted, he hopes to hit the road.
“Just face to face contact with all the coaches, getting to know them and the campus and all the people that help out around and just getting to know everyone a little better,” he said of what he would be looking to do when he can finally get on campuses.
As for now, he doesn’t have a specific timeline for a commitment but rather a general idea.
“I’ll be an early enrollee, so early senior year most likely, or summertime.”
Langston Patterson, LB, 6-1, 210, Christ Presbyterian Academy, Nashville, TN has not only had his recruiting impacted by COVID but also by numerous coaching changes among the schools pursuing him. Former Notre Dame Defensive Coordinator Clark Lea was Patterson’s primary recruiter at Notre Dame. Lea, of course, became the new head coach at Vanderbilt. Auburn fired head coach Gus Malzahn and replaced him with former Boise State head coach Brian Harsin.
“A lot of things are changing right now, Notre Dame being one of them,” Patterson said. “Coach Lea going to Vandy, Vandy is getting a whole new staff. Tennessee’s been changing a lot (recently). A lot of coaching stuff has been changing. So, it’s just interesting to see where everybody goes.”
Patterson continued.
“As of right now, I haven’t been able to go anywhere and take any visits anyway. So all I’ve been able to do is build relationships with coaches. So it’s kind of like just seeing where they go. I still have the relationships wherever they go.”
Freeman has already contacted Patterson.
“I’ve had a chance to talk with him,” Patterson shared. “I really liked him. I liked when he was saying that he’ll be with the inside backers the whole time, even though he’s DC and he likes the way I play. He’s really honest with you. He’ll just shoot you straight up. It seems like he’s real energetic and a real go-getter.”
Patterson visited South Bend on November 7th for the Clemson game and plans to return.
“I’m looking forward to going places and meeting coaches and watching film with them,” he said. “When things open up, I’d like to get back up there for sure. Just kind of see the culture of that locker room, all the people in it, the coaches. I’d like to sit down and watch film with the coaches and really get an idea of how their defense works and stuff like that.”
With Lea going to Vanderbilt, the Commodores could emerge as a real player for Patterson’s signature. His head coach, Ingle Martin, was a high school teammate of Lea’s. Patterson is confident that Lea will succeed at Vandy.
“It’s really cool,” he said. “It’s close to home and he’s certainly a guy that can change that program around.”
These two summaries represent just a sample of the Notre Dame football recruiting information available each week on Irish Sports Daily.