2019 IL DE Bargy In For Sophomore Day

Jason Bargy may be relatively new to the recruiting process, but the 2019 Illinois defensive end is likely to learn plenty about it in the coming months and years. He has an early offer from Illinois and that list is sure to grow.

The Momence High School standout will be in South Bend on Sunday for Notre Dame’s inaugural Sophomore Day.

“He’s made one visit to a college and that was Illinois,” Momence head coach Wayne Walker said.

“He just wants to see what other places are like. He’s very interested in Notre Dame and seeing what kind of place it is.”

At 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, Bargy’s athletic gifts are clear.

“The kid’s a d-end and he plays tailback for us,” Walker said. “He’s a track kid. As a freshman last year, he was a state finalist in the 100, 200 and the 4x100. He’s just a special kind of kid.”

Walker believes Bargy should see a surge in his recruitment.

“He’s a tough nose kind of kid,” the coach said. “He’s somewhat a quiet kid in that he works hard and gets his work done. He’s a leader in the way he practices. He’s a talented kid, but he doesn’t work like it’s just natural. He’s always working hard whether that be in football practice, a game or the weight room, he’s a humble kind of kid.”

As a coach, Walker appreciates seeing that kind of work ethic from one of his most talented players.

“It’s very helpful,” he said. “You’re lucky to have one of those types of kids on your team. We have some other kids who are like that, but Jason definitely sticks out. It makes you a better coach when you have one of those kinds of kids.”

All players can improve and Walker said Bargy understands that.

“For him, using his hands a little bit more than he has, trusting his instincts with his hands,” the coach said. “He knows that and that’s a couple things he wants to work on to get better next season.

“He’s a hard worker so that’ll come to him. He’ll practice that, practice that, practice that and he’ll get better.”

It’s still very early in the recruiting process, but education will be a crucial issue when Bargy chooses a school in the end.

“The major he wants to get into would be a big factor, but I don’t know if he’s gotten in depth on what the key factors are,” Walker said. “I think he’s more just looking at what colleges are and what they can offer.

“He’s a big believer in academics, his parents as well. They’re very good parents and believe in academics. That’s one big thing that stands out as well.”

Walker said Bargy had been leaning toward doing something involved with athletic training.

“Has it changed a little bit? I don’t know, but right now, that’s where I think he’s at in his head.”