2020 Notre Dame TE Commit Kevin Bauman Seeing Work Pay Off

Kevin Bauman‍ got a preview of the results of his hard work this offseason last month, when the 2020 Notre Dame tight end commit and his Red Bank Catholic High School squad took part in Rutgers’ 7-on-7 passing tournament.

“It was fun,” Bauman said of the event. “This was my third year doing it with the team. It’s fun to get out there. It’s kind of our first real test against other teams. Obviously, it’s not a real football game, but still good to see how things are coming along. It was just really fun.

“It was a good day. We finished 5-1. We’re happy with that, but we’re not where we want to be yet. We looked really good in some spots. It’s exciting to see how we’re going to grow from there.”

One source said the 6-foot-5, 240-pounder couldn’t be covered all day.

“Honestly, it felt great,” Bauman said of the success he had. “I really put a lot into this offseason knowing where I had to improve in order to bring my game to the next level. Honestly, I felt unguardable really. I was feeling faster than ever, stronger than ever, more athletic than ever. I’m feeling really good all around.

“I worked harder than ever in the offseason and getting the first chance to see that work in action other than practice felt really good. I never felt so fast and so strong or so crisp in my routes, getting in and out of breaks. Even just releasing from the line, everything all around felt good. It’s just very exciting.”

Still, Bauman is truly looking forward to the fall, when he’ll play his final season of high school ball.

“The 7-on-7 environment is one thing, but once you get pads on and you can get yards after the catch and things like that, I can’t wait,” he said. “I’m excited.”

The New Jersey native was the second member of Notre Dame’s 2020 recruiting class, committing ahead of everybody except quarterback Drew Pyne. Bauman has been impressed with the way the Irish’s class has come together.

“We knew from the beginning that we were going to have a special class,” he said. “I think we honestly exceeded those expectations. Looking at the class a whole, especially offensively.

“It’s been a crazy class so far and I just couldn’t be more excited to get to work with these guys.”

Bauman will get the chance to reconnect with some of the members of the class when he gets back to South Bend for an official, which right now looks like it’ll be for the USC game in October.