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Notre Dame Football Recruiting

Film Don't Lie: Jacob Lacey

July 29, 2017
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Just over a year ago, Jacob Lacey received an offer after competing at Irish Invasion. He hadn't even entered his sophomore year of high school yet, but it was clear that he had a chance to be a big time player at the next level.

A year later his arrow has gone way up and his interest in Notre Dame only grew as well. He pulled the trigger for the Irish after multiple visits and, along with quarterback Cade McNamara, will be a foundational piece for them in the 2019 recruiting cycle.

Lacey is a highly ranked player already and he has a very good shot at being in the initial 2019 ISD Fab 50. I've had the chance to watch him in person at several different camps and that along with his film has shaped my opinion that he has the potential to be a difference maker in the middle of Notre Dame's defense.

Here's why Irish fans should be very excited about this pickup.

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 294

Projected Position: Defensive tackle. Likely one tech with the ability to play three

ISD Grade: 92 (4 star)

National Average Grade: 92.1 (4 star)

What he does best:


The first thing that sticks out about Lacey is size. Not just that he is big, but how he moves even though he is that big. For someone that is a few meals away from 300 pounds, you would never know it by seeing him move.

I have vivid memories of watching him at Sound Mind Sound Body running the hoop and being able to bend the corner better than 230 pound defensive ends that were there. That is rare for a big man. His quickness and athleticism really shine though on the field.

He has a great first step. That's something he has in common with 2018 defensive tackle commits Ja'mion Franklin and Jayson Ademilola. I think Lacey is a better athlete than those two, though. That first step quickness and the ability to be an athlete and make a play is on full display here.

He gets up the field when the guard vacates and chases down the play that most defensive tackles would have zero shot at making.

via GIPHY

I think what I like most about Lacey as a player is that he isn't just a straight up the field type. He adjusts and reacts to blocks at a far more advanced rate that most his age do. Part of it I'm sure is coaching, but I do think some of it is just natural for him.

That quickness combined with power and his ability to react quickly is what makes him a disruptive interior presence. I just love seeing this from him where the counter trey is destroyed through him obliterating the down block from the center and taking out the pulling right tackle at the same time.

via GIPHY

The back was helpless all because of what Lacey did. He blew up that play all by himself.

I don't know how strong Lacey is in the weight room, but I can't wait to see him in a few years in a college strength and conditioning program. He already flashes some big time strength in pressing off blocks and does a great job disengaging to make tackles.

This offensive tackle is firing off the ball hard and Lacey absolutely stones him on contact. Then he presses him off, gets rid of him, and makes the tackle.

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Here's another example of Lacey playing with great leverage and pressing the blocker off of him before making the play.

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That's strength, power, and technique all rolled into one. I know everyone loves to see sacks, but as someone who coached defensive line, this is awesome to watch.

Lacey also has a really good motor. It's one thing to have all of that raw talent and athleticism, but so many big guys waste it by not playing hard. He chases quarterbacks down like he does here...

via GIPHY

And he'll keep fighting to the quarterback by trying to work counters like he does on this play with a spin and ultimately a deflection (HAVOC!!!) on the play.

via GIPHY

When fans say a player is fun to watch, they are usually talking about a skill guy who can dazzle in the open field or someone with speed to score on any play. The big guys get left out of those conversations, but to me, Jacob Lacey is a fun player to watch play football.

What he needs to work on:


I have to say that the improvement from Lacey a year ago when I first saw him at Sound Mind Sound Body and Invasion to his sophomore season and the The Opening regional in Cleveland was remarkable. He made a massive leap in many areas.

Before he was just a big kid that was a good athlete. He was very raw in many aspects of playing defensive tackle. He still has things to work on, but it's clear he has put in the time to get better.

He has plus hands as a pass rusher for someone his age. There are still plenty of 2018 recruits who go to these camps and don't know how or even attempt to work a move. Lacey is far above that so I'm excited to see where he is at a year from now.

He needs to be stronger and more violent with his initial move as a pass rusher. This was one of his best reps in Cleveland and I'd like to see more of this from him on a regular basis.

via GIPHY

Everything just has to be done with more force, which will come with more practice and more confidence. This counter works here, but it should be even quicker.

via GIPHY

That's what I would like to see from him as a pass rusher.

I think he needs to work on being quicker and getting better hand placement with his initial punch to go with his get off as well. He is by no means a T-Rex in terms of arm length, but he isn't a pterodactyl either. That initial punch is going to be big for him against college offensive lineman because if he gets that, he is going to control them really well with his strength and leverage.

What's his ceiling?


Lacey has a sky high ceiling. For one, I think he is going to play one technique, but could play a bit of three too because of his athleticism. His versatility is a massive plus.

I'm amazed where he is at right now with his hands and know that he is only going to get better as he continues to work on them. Because of that I think he can be the rare one technique that can be stout against the run and be a disruptive interior pass rusher.

He is still two years away from college football, so it's tough to make predictions of where he will be at then. But I can say that if he continues on this track that he is on, he should be someone that plays very early in his career and become a starter for multiple seasons. He has the potential to be one of the best defensive tackles in college football and one of the better interior defensive linemen that Notre Dame has had in the last decade.


 
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