Three Names I'd Like To See Notre Dame Offer
Notre Dame is on Spring Break, and it has allowed me to really dig into the 2019 recruiting class. I came up with a few names that I’d like to see Notre Dame get involved with from a talent standpoint. I wouldn’t say these kids are entirely under the radar but names that could turn into big-time prospects by the end of the May evaluation period.
Quarterback – Jacob Zeno – John Jay High School (Texas)
The 6-foot-4, 180-pounder holds close to 20 offers from programs like Arizona, Arkansas, Baylor, Boston College, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Penn, SMU, Texas Tech and Utah.
As a junior, Zeno threw for 1,957 yards, 18 touchdowns and three interceptions.
Zeno is a little raw, but the three-star prospect has a big arm and shows it off on his highlight tape with throws attacking all levels of the defense. I love his size and athleticism to get on the perimeter, which is something Notre Dame likes to do in the passing game.
Florida, Georgia, Missouri and Texas Tech are the schools sticking out right now. The Gators might have the upper hand as quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson recruited Zeno at Houston before taking the job at Florida.
Linebacker – Jestin Jacobs – Northmont (Ohio)
As a junior, Jacobs recorded 74 tackles, 3.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and one interception.
I love linebackers that can run. Jacobs can run and embraces the physicality needed to play linebacker. The first position that sticks out is rover, but I think he could play inside at Buck too.
Jacobs will need to get his weight up from 205 pounds, but he’s a high school junior. Notre Dame needs guys that can run and play in space, Jacobs fits that bill.
Jacobs holds around 20 offers, but he’s waiting to break into the next tier. Boston College, Duke, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska and Northwestern are solid offers, but an offer from a Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State or Penn State could turn him into a national prospect overnight.
Defensive Back – Quinton Newsome – North Gwinnett (Ga.)
The four-star prospect might have offers from Alabama, Auburn, Ole Miss, Stanford, Vanderbilt and West Virginia, but he’s one of those kids that hasn’t totally blown up as he holds 12 offers.
Now, Newsome plays a lot of cornerback, so if the Irish land Salim Turner-Muhammad or Kenyatta Watson , Notre Dame will be out of the corner market, but I do think the 6-foot-2, 180-pounder can play some safety.
I love the way Newsome attacks the football and brings the wood. He can get out of his backpedal, and that’s what separates a lot of kids at this age. Newsome can not only get to the football, but he makes plays on the ball.
It’s a numbers game, but I’d love to see him get an offer as Notre Dame needs to continue to build off last year’s defensive back haul.