BREAKING: Lamb Commits To Notre Dame
Jack Lamb was advised to be selfish with his college decision, but now that the decision has been made and he’s set to join his new program, you can bet the 2018 California linebacker will be all about the team.
Lamb just announced his commitment to Notre Dame, giving the Irish their 15th verbal pledge in the Class of 2018 and third in a week – joining linebacker/safety Shayne Simon, who committed on Tuesday, and running back Jahmir Smith, who made his decision public on Sunday.
The 6-foot-4, 224-pounder from Great Oak High School provides a key piece to the Irish’s 2018 puzzle, joining Ovie Oghoufo, Bo Bauer and – technically – Simon at linebacker, although Simon is being brought in to play the hybrid Rover role in Mike Elko’s defensive scheme.
Notre Dame was joined by UCLA, Penn State, Oregon and Washington on Lamb’s final five. At different points in time, many assumed Lamb was either ticketed to Penn State, where both of his parents went, or UCLA, where his sister goes now, but the Irish always lurked as a strong possibility.
Lamb’s parents and coaches stressed the importance of making the best decision for himself and nobody else as this would likely be his last chance to to make a major life decision and be completely selfish about it.
When Notre Dame extended a scholarship offer back in April, Lamb didn’t waste time scheduling a visit and was in South Bend in June. That visit made a huge impact on his ultimate decision. He’d had the chance to speak with the Notre Dame coaches a bit leading up to the visit, but getting to sit down and talk X’s and O’s with Elko and linebackers coach Clark Lea was crucial, especially for Lamb who enjoys the schematic side of the game.
Lamb is the kind of prospect who could play inside or out and was able to hear why the Irish thought he’d be a great Mike backer for them.
“Being able to utilize my length and speed at that position while being able to stay inside the box,” he said at the time.
“The one thing they said was that I don’t look 224, so they could put another 15, 16 pounds on me and keep my speed up and have me playing inside. Being able to stop the run and being able to stop the pass from that position would be really important for the team.”
Lamb always hoped to have his recruitment wrapped up by the end of the summer, but it wasn’t clear if he’d let it play out just a little bit into the fall in order to take an official visit to Notre Dame to see a game atmosphere. After his visit in June, he told Irish Sports Daily, “I think there’s a good chance I’ll be back.”
He will be back, but as a committed prospect and eventually as a linebacker for the Irish.
Stay tuned to Irish Sports Daily for more on this breaking story.