Film Don't Lie | Ben Minich
There’s a good chance Notre Dame is going to lose three safeties after this season so it made sense to bring in three safeties in the current recruiting class. They landed their third commitment at the position when Ohio safety Benjamin Minich committed to the Irish.
A very good athlete with impressive verified track times, I’m a fan of Minich of a prospect and I really like the addition for Notre Dame.
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 185
Projected Position: Safety
ISD Grade: 91 (4-star)
National Average Grade: 88.5 (3-star)
What he does best:
He is fast and he plays fast. He’s a decisive player whether it’s screaming downhill against plays on the perimeter and flipping his hip and running with a vertical route. Minich doesn’t have elite speed for a cornerback, but he has the skills and speed to be effective in man coverage as a safety.
Minich can play physical and this play is a great example of him controlling the slot and keeping outside leverage while defeating the block to make a tackle.
The reason why speed matters is this kind of play where the mesh concept is essentially taking away his angle, but he can accelerate and close to prevent a completion.
He’s fluid with his change of direction. This was a play that Greg Flammang and I highlighted in a recent Hit & Hustle where Minich is the single high safety. He’s opening up towards the vertical route of the slot, but rather than make a speed turn where he might lose a half-step, he is able to plant and pivot to stick with the route going to the inside.
What he needs to improve:
Minich can lunge a bit as a tackler. He’s more of a cut tackler than someone who wraps and finishes. That’s something that he’ll have to get better at facing stronger players in college.
What’s his ceiling?
I think Minich is a great fit as a third safety in this class. Athletically, he is someone who projects as a potential starter for Notre Dame and he shows the ability to play deep or near the line of scrimmage.
There will be fierce competition with the talent they are bringing in with him in the class and that will definitely continue in the next cycle as well, but his instincts and speed that make him a sleeper in this class.
Who he could be:
Former Notre Dame safety Kyle McCarthy
Men’s Half Zip Packable Jacket
