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Notre Dame Football Recruiting

Three 2018 Prospects Who Need A Notre Dame Offer

February 6, 2017
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Notre Dame is set to host an important Junior Day on Saturday, as they are expected to host all six 2018 commitments.

The Irish will also host some top prospects like receiver Braden Lenzy, Tyreke Smith and Dallas Gant, who already hold offers from Notre Dame.

There are a few more 2018 names I would love to see Notre Dame offer in the next few weeks and try to get up to South Bend to check out spring ball.

Linebacker – Payton Wilson – Orange County (N.C.)
The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder does it all for his high school squad from playing a rush end to linebacker to carrying the rock in Orange County’s option attack. Wilson has a similar build and game to former Notre Dame linebacker/rush end Ben Councell and former Irish commit Danny Mattingly. All three players have length, but also a sense of athleticism coming off the edge.

In 2016, Wilson recorded 127 tackles, 39 tackles for loss and 13 sack. It shows the ability to play on the other side of the line of scrimmage and if you watch his film, he has a knack for getting into the backfield.

I also like his ability to track the football from his linebacker position. He is able to cover ground quickly, but also arrive with power. He’s not Jaylon Smith athletically, but he has raw athleticism just waiting for a guy like Mike Elko to tap into his potential. The kid loves football and that’s what Notre Dame needs the most right now.

The three-star prospect holds offers from Alabama, Duke, Georgia, Michigan State, North Carolina, N.C. State, Penn State, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest and Wisconsin among others.



Wide Receiver - Lawrence Keys III – McDonogh 35 (La.)
The 5-foot-11, 160-pounder might be small, but Keys is one of the most explosive players in the 2018 class. The Louisiana native seems to always be outrunning the defense, but also making defensive backs look silly in the process.

Notre Dame needs playmakers at the receiver position and Keys can certainly deliver that. Keys also would be able to help in the return game and could make Brian Polian’s job a whole lot easier.

Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, Houston, Miami, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Oklahoma, TCU and Texas A&M have already thrown hats into the ring, so it’d be a tough pull for Notre Dame, but I think it’s one they should at least take a look at.



Defensive Back – Atanza Vongor – South Grand Prairie (Texas)
The 6-foot, 195-pounder could be a strong safety or the ever popular Rover in Notre Dame defense and I think he has the skill set to do either. The Texas native has the size and speed to play in space, but also will come up and hit guys in the mouth.

Notre Dame’s defense needs to get more athletic and Vongor would surely do that. The four-star prospect also plays a toughness that I think Elko is looking for in his defense. He plays under control, but once he locks in on his read, Vongor gets there and makes the play.

Alabama, Arkansas, Baylor, Clemson, Georgia, Michigan, TCU, Texas, Texas A&M and Wisconsin have offered.



Obviously, Notre Dame offering prospects hinge on transcripts and checking the boxes off the field, but on talent alone, these are three kids that could definitely be difference-makers at the next level.
Discussion from...

Three 2018 Prospects Who Need A Notre Dame Offer

13,552 Views | 4 Replies | Last: 7 yr ago by ejsjr
jd in portland
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Matt, I've always been curious -
When you uncover good info like this in your reporting, do you ever pass it on to someone to ND? Are they open to that?
tommynacc
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Great question JD, because I've always wondered the same!

Matt, how do these guys fit Notre Dam/RKG wise? Do you think Kelly is still recruiting from that angle as much as he did before?
stash88
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I'm sure if matt knows about these prospects, then you can bet ND knows about them too.
ejsjr
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Why hasn't LSU made an offer to Lawrence Keyes?
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