Three Receivers Notre Dame Should Take a Look At

As Jordan Pouncey’s name has popped off the board, Notre Dame will start to look at receiver’s in the 2017 class, as Destrehan (La.) receiver Michael Young is the lone commit at the position.

Notre Dame is right in the thick of things with Jamire Calvin and Oliver Martin, two four-star prospects, but both were recruited by associate head coach Mike Denbrock. If you missed it, Denbrock’s name has been tied with the Cincinnati offensive coordinator job, which isn’t ideal for landing receivers down the stretch.

When it comes to Calvin and Martin, we do feel that if Denbrock leaves, it will have a greater impact on Martin’s recruitment more than Calvin’s. With Martin, it seemed like the relationship with Denbrock was a big part of why he was considering Notre Dame and why the Irish were hanging around.

For Calvin, it’s a little bit different.  He has never stated the two have ha a great relationship and has often talked about the school and offense more than Denbrock coaching him. It’s not to say Denbrock and Calvin don’t get along, but it’s more of what Calvin is looking at in relation to Martin.

Notre Dame did expand the board in offering Gavin Holmes and Michael Smith recently, but who else should get an offer?

Mac Hippenhammer – Snider (Ind.)
Yes, the 6-foot, 170-pounder is committed to Penn State and doesn’t seem to be looking around. However, Notre Dame was a dream school and offers the chance to play in his backyard, as he is from Fort Wayne.

The speedy receiver might not have ideal size, but his playmaking ability shouldn’t be questioned. In three years on varsity, Hippenhammer recorded 1,679 receiving yards, but also had over 1,000 yards in both kick and punt returns.

Another positive for Hippenhammer is his learning curve. He has been under the guidance of Dre Muhammad at AWP Sports, who has a great track record of producing Division-I talent, including Ohio State receiver Austin Mack. In fact, Muhammad wouldn’t be a bad option as a receiver coach, as he is able to relate to kids, but also develops talent to exceed their potential.

But back to Hippenhammer, the Indiana native is going to be ready to play his freshman year, as he runs precise routes and knows how to get open. Much like Mack, Hippenhammer understands route concepts and how to use leverage to win a battle over the defensive back. He showed that at Irish Invasion this past summer, as he was probably the second most impressive receiver behind Amon-Ra St. Brown in the 2018 class.

Senior Highlights


Cody White – Walled Lake Western (Mich.)
Somewhat of a late bloomer, the 6-foot-3, 190-pounder is the kind of kid no one hears about on the recruiting trail and then turns out to be a star at Michigan State, who he committed to last March.

The three-star prospect won MLive’s Offensive Player of the Year and put up some big-time numbers his senior year. White passed for 638 yards and nine touchdowns, but also rushed for 576 yards and seven scores and don’t forget about receiving, as he recorded 43 catches for 705 yards and nine more scores.

Once again, I don’t know if he is looking around, but he’s a player that would ideally fit in the offense Notre Dame runs and would have a chance to play early. Notre Dame should definitely float an offer out and see what happens.

Senior Highlights


Gabriel Davis – Seminole (Fla.)
The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder is a bigger receiver, but has enough speed to stretch the field, especially how Notre Dame uses the W-receiver. He has the athleticism and ability to have a lot of success at the spot.

A source that has seen Davis play multiple times this year, told Irish Sports Daily he was one of the best receivers he’s seen in person.

Davis committed to Central Florida in June, but has visited Florida State. On a talent perspective, Notre Dame look into Davis and offer if everything checks out. It’s not a time to be picky and Davis could very well be one of those players like Cody White that turns out to be a big-time player in a few years.

Senior Highlights