Mike Elston Notebook | National Signing Day
Notre Dame interviewed defensive line coach Mike Elston on Wednesday following the conclusion of National Signing Day for the Irish.
On defensive end Isaiah Foskey:
“He’s a super-talented young man who is going to add an element that we need with length, speed and athleticism off the edge to create a great pass rush. He has the ability to play with great leverage to defend the run on first and second down.
“He’s a super smart young man from a great family out in Northern California and he’s from a great program in De La Salle. We’re excited to add him to an already talented group.”
On defensive line group:
“This will be the fifth guy in the class. One thing that comes to mind is winners. There have been a lot of State Champions in this class. Isaiah’s team did not win the championship but they played for it. They know how to compete and prepare themselves.
“The second thing I would say is they are great students. They will be great ambassadors on campus as it relates to going to class, doing their studies and being accountable.”
On lessons learned from new recruiting rules:
“This go around, we had so many guys committed early and that was the charge to be done with it by December. With preparation for the playoffs or any type of bowl game, it makes for a better transition into that knowing in early December you have most of your class signed.
“When you’re opening presents with your kids on Christmas morning, you’re not worried about how many times to call a young man during the holiday break to stay happy with Notre Dame. January changes everything because you’ve signed all your players, so you’re out recruiting underclassmen.
“What we learned from year one to year two is the more guys you sign early, the more time you have to prepare for the next class.”
On the progress of early enrollees:
“It’s very valuable and it’s not for everybody. It’s whether they are ready to leave home, mom, dad, girlfriend or playing a second sport. When they are ready to make that commitment, it’s a benefit to everything they are doing academically and they get to work out with the team. They go through a winter conditioning cycle.”
On defensive line early enrollees embracing not being the big man on campus:
“It’s good to hear. You have to do the work. It’s shocking. You’re sitting there in front of them in December and they want to know about the transition. It’s the volume of work. They went through a work out this morning that was very stressful. I can’t imagine they have gone through anything like that. They want to be part of it, but it’s a whole heart, mind and soul commitment to the big leagues.
“They were prepared for it mentally. It’s a diverse situation for them right now and they’re doing a great job. They're all benefiting from it, so it’s great.”