ISD Intel: Ins & Outs
The Notre Dame staff has been on the road recruiting for the last couple of weeks and just this week alone, a pair of high school coaches provided unsolicited applause for the effort of Irish defensive backs coach Todd Lyght.
“Coach Lyght is a good dude Notre Dame has recruiting for them,” Garfield High School head coach Joey Thomas said without being asked. “He does a helluva job.”
Thomas coaches top 2020 Seattle defensive end/outside linebacker Sav'ell Smalls, a prospect with offers from just about every major program across the country. The Irish are working to gain some traction with Smalls and if they do, it’s clear Thomas believes Lyght would deserve much of the credit.
“He does a phenomenal job,” Thomas continued.
Meanwhile, Broken Arrow High School head coach David Alexander, who has hosted Lyght during the Irish’s pursuit of 2020 Oklahoma offensive lineman Andrew Raym, said “Coach Lyght and I have built a really good relationship.”
“The recruiting trail is a tough deal for those guys,” Alexander added. “They’re out banging the streets and flying all over the country. Sometimes, I’m sure they forget what hotel they’re in. When Coach Lyght comes here, he’s able to sit down and relax for an extra 30, 45 minutes and just talk some ball and have some fun.
“It’s been great, the relationship he and I have built up. It’s been a lot of fun for me too.”
Thomas points to Lyght’s background as a player who was an All-American at Notre Dame before being a Top-5 NFL Draft pick and a Super Bowl champion.
“He’s accomplished what they’re trying to accomplish,” Thomas explained. “Then, to be an alum who has accomplished that, his insight on Notre Dame and what it’s really all about and what it means to be a player at Notre Dame, it’s completely different from anybody else. To be able to have that perspective and share it with young men, that’s very unique. I’m sure it bodes well for him in recruiting.
“Who better to educate you and tell you than somebody who’s already done it? That’s the best perspective. He’s done it at Notre Dame. He’s done it on Sundays. He can give you the information and you can see, ‘Hey, maybe Notre Dame is the right fit.’”
Lyght’s calm demeanor can be in contrast to some other fiery salesmen, but that’s fine since it’s sincere, according to Thomas.
“I heard this a long time ago and it’s true, ‘You have to be you,’” said Thomas, who has dealt with countless recruiters and had his own NFL career as a defensive back. “That’s clearly who he is and that’s what makes him him. As long as you’re true to yourself, it usually works out for you.”
Lyght’s lead pitch is clearly about Notre Dame, not what he did at Notre Dame.
“I could completely see him not mentioning it because it’s kind of like, ‘I’ve done what I’ve done, no big deal,’” Thomas said.
“But, it is a big deal.”
WATCH THIS 2020 MA LB CLOSELY: It’s been obvious Kalel Mullings was going to be a national prospect since the 2020 Massachusetts linebacker received an offer from Michigan just months after finishing his freshman season at Milton Academy.
The 6-foot-2, 215-pounder from Boston has since added offers from schools like Penn State, Clemson, Boston College, UCLA, Duke, Vanderbilt and Virginia among several others.
Mullings made a stop in South Bend back in March and was impressed. Notre Dame hasn’t extended an offer of its own just yet, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see the Irish do so relatively soon.
They’ve managed to make it clear to Mullings that remains a prospect of serious interest for them. Notre Dame assistant Tom Rees stopped by the school earlier in the contact period while defensive coordinator Clark Lea has kept communication open as well.
We think the Wolverines helped themselves a great deal by being the first ones to extend an offer and Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown has made a tremendously strong impression, but the Irish would likely receive a decent look if they did end up offering.
In fact, we wouldn’t be stunned to see Mullings make it back to South Bend relatively soon.
RECENTLY-OFFERED 2021 QB IS REAL DEAL: Preston Stone has exploded on the national recruiting radar, landing more than a dozen major offers already this month, including one from the Irish.
We spoke with a coach who faced Stone as a freshman at Parish Episcopal High School last fall who isn’t surprised by the burst of attention.
“He’s going to be really, really good,” the coach said. “From a pure talent standpoint, he’s ridiculous.
“The throws he can make at his age are absurd.”
This coach wasn’t exactly sure who he’d compare the 6-foot-2, 185-pounder to and while he expects him to be more of a pocket passer than a playmaker, says he’s capable enough in that area to be successful.
“He’s athletic enough and does some good things on the run and they’ll run nakeds and stuff,” he said. “If you’re going to play at that level, you have to be able to move around.”
Either way, this coach is confident Stone will be a true elite player at the next level.
“I think he has the arm talent for sure.”
MILLER TIME MAY NOT TASTE GREAT: Notre Dame made a strong impression on Harry Miller when the elite 2018 Georgia offensive lineman visited South Bend back in March and it looked like the Irish could have a chance to become an even more serious contender when he talked about returning for a game in the fall.
Well, now it looks like the Irish won’t get another opportunity to impress, which is what they needed to take another big step.
A source close to the situation tells ISD that Miller is expected to make a commitment within the next month. Ohio State looks like the overwhelming favorite coming down the stretch.