4-Star Kentucky DT Jacob Lacey
Defensive Tackle Jacob Lacey
Ranking
ISD: 94 - Four-Star
Composite: 93 - Four-Star
Vitals
6’2 - 294
South Warren (Bowling Green, Ky.)
Senior Stats
74 tackles, 14 sacks, four forced fumbles; Class of the Commonwealth Selection
Recruiter
Defensive line coach Mike Elston
Recruitment Rundown
Early offers led to Lacey getting an early start to recruiting and eventually to an early finish as the Kentucky native verbally committed to the Irish in July of 2017. Lacey had dozens of offers before narrowing his list to Notre Dame, Louisville, Michigan, Michigan State and Tennessee. Lacey called Notre Dame “the whole package.” The late former Notre Dame standout Dave Duerson is Lacey’s cousin.
Head Coach Brandon Smith
“He’s got outstanding work ethic. He’s not going to miss a beat when he gets to college. It’s kind of a culture shock for some guys, but for him, I don’t think that’s really going to be the case. He’s self-motivated and driven. He’s never satisfied, he’s always working on his craft and trying to get better. He really became very good at technique and the fundamentals of the game of the position besides getting faster and stronger. He really figured out how to use his hands and use his hips and the things you have to do at the next level to be successful.”
ISD expert Jamie Uyeyama
I’ve been impressed with how Lacey has reshaped his body over the last few years. He’s the same weight he was as a high school freshman, but looks much different.
That does make me wonder if he is maxed out in terms of how big he will be, though. Yes, he will get stronger, but is he ever going to be a 315, 320-pound nose tackle? I’m not sure. I think he can be a good player as a 290ish nose for Notre Dame, but if he’s 20 pounds heavier and still the same athlete, I think it elevates his ceiling as a player. Regardless if that happens or not, I see him competing for a spot in the two-deep right away in 2019 and believe he has the potential to be high-level starter for multiple seasons.
Favorite quote to ISD
“I’m not going to lose to anybody. That’s not in my DNA, so nothing’s going to stop me.”
