Notre Dame Football: A Look At the 2012 Recruiting Cycle (Tight Ends)

The following is part four in a continuing series looking at the 2012 recruiting cycle. Some of the athletes have been offered scholarships and others are on the radar.

Notre Dame fans have been spoiled for a number of years now with quality tight ends, the names Anthony Fasano and John Carlson come to mind. Where the Irish have set themselves apart though is depth, when a starter goes down there seems to always be someone there to fill in without any loss of production, sometimes even an upgrade, think Will Yeatman.

Can the Irish keep the cupboard stocked, only time will tell, but based on the past track record, I think it is safe to say that Notre Dame will in the hunt for the top tight ends in the nation for 2012.

Sean Price: Citra, FL

Sean Price (photo courtesy of Rivals)

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 210

Speed: 4.7

Ranking: Scout 3-Stars

Offers: Notre Dame, Alabama, Miami, Michigan, LSU, Florida, Florida State and others.

Preview: Sean Price has great hands, he makes difficult catches look too easy. He has a great sense of awareness as to where he is on the field, meaning that he keeps his feet in bounds after going up top for a catch. Price seems to adjust well to poorly thrown balls.

Price is a great blocker that stays with his blocks all the way through the play. The areas in need of improvement that I see are that he needs to finish better after catches, yards after initial contact needs work. Leg strength and leg drive would help.

Adolphus Washington: Cincinnati, OH

Adolphus Washington (photo courtesy of Rivals)

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 245

Offers: Ohio State, USC, Oregon, Alabama, Purdue, Michigan State and others.

Preview: Adolphus Washington is a two sport standout at Cincinnati Taft H.S.. He is an accomplish basketball player, as well as a talented tight end and defensive end. As a sophomore he had 101 tackles and 14 sacks to go along with 29 catches and 329 yards.

Washington said in 2010, " Brian Kelly was interested in me when he was at Cincinnati, so hopefully I'll hear from Notre Dame."

With limited film to work with, I can only tell you that Washington seeks contact, is an exceptional blocker with tons of leg drive. He uses his height as leverage, and finishes well.

Laith Harlow: Tallahassee, FL

Laith Harlow (photo courtesy of Rivals)

Height: 6'5"

Weight: 230

Offers: Notre Dame, Miami, UCLA, Georgia Tech and others.

Preview: Laith Harlow is a punishing, face mask breaking blocker. He seems to enjoy contact. It could be the black pants and socks, but he appears to take short choppy strides.

Harlow has decent hands and reads his blockers well after a reception. He is listed as one of the top tight ends in the state of Florida.

Taylor McNamara: San Diego, CA

Taylor McNamara (photo courtesy of sandiegoballers.com)

Height: 6'5"

Weight: 235

Offers: Ohio State, Michigan, USC, Washington, Miami and others.

Preview: Taylor McNamara is "sure handed in traffic" as described by his coach. McNamara shows great footwork and nice hands, extremely athletic, he played baseball and basketball as well.

McNamara shows great coordination, and looks the ball into his hands. He is a tough blocker and releases well. He has long powerful strides. This young man uses his upper body as a weapon to get additional yards after initial contact.

Kent Taylor: Land O' Lakes, FL

Kent Taylor (photo courtesy of Rivals)

Height: 6'5"

Weight: 215

Rankings: Scout 3-Stars

Offers: Northwestern, Oregon, Rutgers, Miami, Florida, Florida State and others.

Preview: Kent Taylor is a big tight end that runs crisp routs; he explodes off the line of scrimmage. Taylor was named one of the top offensive performers during the U.S. Army Combine.

Taylor seems to go across the middle without fear and carries many defenders with him, he's tough to bring down with powerful legs. He seems to get open easily and has good hands.

Either lined up tight or wide, Taylor runs superb routes, he displays good footwork and protects the ball well.