Coach | 2022 Notre Dame RB Target Andrew Paul "A Unique" Back
It’s been quite a couple months for Andrew Paul.
“Six weeks ago, he was debating between Sam Houston State and Texas State and Houston Baptist,” Parish Episcopal High School head coach Daniel Novakov says of the 2022 Texas running back.
Paul’s options have certainly changed.
After taking an official visit to Colorado last month and one to Michigan last week, the Dallas back is set for an official to Clemson this weekend and is considering trips to Notre Dame and/or Oregon the final week before National Signing Day.
“He obviously had a much better year this year than he had last year,” Novakov says of Paul’s explosion onto the national recruiting radar. “He was a good player last year without a doubt, but I don't think anybody's ever seen anything like what he was able to do this year.”
After playing in an offense centered around All-American quarterback Preston Stone last year, Paul became the centerpiece this past season and finished with 44 total touchdowns and almost 3,000 scrimmage yards.
“I think once he put out his first five game highlight film, people took notice and were like, 'Holy cow! Who's this kid?'” Novakov says.
The coach calls Paul “unique.”
“He's a big back, but he doesn't just play like a big back,” the coach says. “I think most of the time a big back gets stereotyped as a bruiser, gets you 10-12 yards and then gets tackled. But Andrew's a home run-hitter who is also 6 feet and 218 pounds. Kind of unique.”
Novakov and his father played at Notre Dame.
“So I grew up watching them, but he kind of reminds me of Ricky Watters,” he says. “He has that ability to go the whole way. Adrian Peterson is probably another good example of a big back who also wasn't just like a plotter or a plow horse; not that there's anything wrong with that, but you know what I'm saying?
“Most of the time, your home run-hitting backs are little fast kids. Andrew, to me, has the best of both worlds because he can kind of do both.”
Irish head coach Marcus Freeman made the trip down to Dallas on Tuesday to visit with Paul and Novakov.
“I thought Freeman was outstanding,” the coach says. “He won me over. He's charismatic, man. He's really, really, really charismatic; really personable. You just can tell when people have a presence about them.
“I'll be honest with you, (Brian) Kelly did a good job and they hire a new guy who by all accounts doesn't have a ton of experience, but I can see what everybody sees in him after meeting him.”
The departure of former Irish running backs coach Lance Taylor this week shouldn’t be much of a factor in Paul’s decision, according to Novakov.
“The good part is he really didn't have that big of a relationship with Lance anyway,” the coach said. “I don't think it hurts him that bad. It's not like these other schools have a three-year head start on Notre Dame with the relationship-building. Everybody's just new. “
Notre Dame had Paul’s curiosity based on being Notre Dame.
“I'm biased here, but I think Notre Dame is one of those schools that's iconic in college football, they kind of enjoy a perch that a lot of people don't have,” Novakov explains. “So that's their advantage. Anytime Notre Dame comes in and wants you - I don't care who you are - you're going to listen to them. That's a pretty powerful deal.
“Their pitch is what you'd expect. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. They run the football. Obviously, they have some of the best linemen come out of there.”
And after spending time with Freeman, the Irish certainly have his attention now.
“He wants to get to Notre Dame after meeting him, I can tell you that,” the coach said. “It's kind of an abstract deal until he met Coach Freeman.
“I don't think you could sit in there and not be impressed by that guy. He was incredible. He was great.”
That could mean taking two trips the final week of the process with either Notre Dame or Oregon being a mid-week visit.
“Whatever he wants to do, we'll try to figure it out.”