Notre Dame Junior Day 2011: The Latest News on Major Recruits Who Visited
The Junior Day season is in full swing with many of the top programs in college football having a Junior Day to get a jump start on 2012 recruiting.
Junior Days have become an essential part of the foundation of a program's opening recruiting efforts, as they give a program the chance to host junior recruits on an unofficial-like visit.
Recruits get information about a school's academic programs, tour the campus and also get to meet coaches to start to familiarize themselves with a program in person. Notre Dame just recently hosted a Junior Day, which had a great list of potential top prospects that visited.
Let's examine the Irish Junior Day.
McMullen Thoroughly Impressed
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As if signing Stephon Tuitt, Ben Councell, Ishaq Williams and Aaron Lynch were not enough, the Irish are hot after 2012 Ohio defensive end prospect Greg McMullen. At 6'4", 255 pounds, McMullen combines size with athleticism to make him a top-100-level prospect.
He came away from the Notre Dame Junior Day extremely fond on the Irish, as the campus, tradition and academics really impressed him. During the dinner portion of the day, Brian Kelly pulled McMullen aside and told he has a scholarship in South Bend waiting for him.
McMullen said he loved the design of the campus, noting how gorgeous the architecture was. He also said the academic presentation and value of an Irish degree is something that you have take into serious consideration.
The Irish did well in the recruiting efforts of McMullen this past weekend.
Voltz Loves the Irish, Too
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Dan Voltz, a 4-star offensive guard/tackle prospect out of Illinois, also took part in the Irish Junior Day.
He came to South Bend basically knowing Notre Dame through TV and tradition, but once he saw the program up close, his eyes completely opened.
Voltz is beaming with affection for the Irish program, calling the Junior Day visit "amazing" and "everything I thought it could be and more."
The Irish campus is known as one the most beautiful sites in all of college sports, where the design of buildings, the offices and halls all can impress recruits. The academics of the school along with he well-put-together presentation of the Irish academic staff, is know also to be extremely impressive.
Count Voltz as a recruit who'll second that motion.
Baratti Makes Trip from Texas
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Nick Baratti, a 6'2", 210-pound QB/ATH prospect from Texas, so wanted to see South Bend in person that he made trip to the north-Midwest from Texas. South Bend isn't exactly the spot to be in February, so that shows how alluring Notre Dame is.
And the trip was worth it, per Baratti, who said, "I got to see the whole campus." Baratti also met some of the current Irish players and spoke with coaches about how they could potentially use him. He can play QB, WR or even safety in college.
Baratti liked the way the Irish players are a family and look out for one another. Also he noted how much the coaches care about the players. Notre Dame came into the weekend as Baratti's leader by far, and after visiting on Junior Day, it's only a matter of time before he pledges to be Irish.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Pennsylvania Archbishop Representing
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Archbishop Wood Catholic of Pennsylvania had five recruits take part in the Notre Dame Junior Day last weekend. Offensive line prospects Brandon Arcidiacono and Frank Taylor, running back Dez Peoples, tight end Colin Thompson and ATH Nate Smith all were on hand.
The five are all solid potential targets for Brian Kelly, were Notre Dame does have an established presence in Pennsylvania. Many always speculate that players from Catholic schools are locks to join the Irish, evidenced by the rumors of Savon Huggins to South Bend last year.
But these five are all very interested in the Irish and stuck together through the trip.
Notre Dame is also getting a jump on 2013 recruiting, as they also hosted Arcidiacono's younger brother, Nick, on the visit as well.
Ifeadi Odenigbo Finds Time to Come to Irish Junior Day
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Odenigbo is is hybrid linebacker/defensive prospect that has not played much football, but when you see him play, you see the world of potential. At 6'4", 215 pounds, his explosion, burst and snap quickness are elite traits.
He has a burst to finish in the pocket and his range is off the charts. The Irish see him as a great outside linebacker/rush end in their 3-4 scheme. Odenigbo found time to come to South Bend last weekend as he also went to Ohio State's Junior Day, too.
"It was amazing, I love the campus. I like Notre Dame a lot," he told reporters.
He has offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State and Stanford, but he really does seem to have a genuine interest in Notre Dame. Look for the Irish to rev up their efforts in recruiting Odenigbo.
Denman Comes to South Bend to Get What He Deserves
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A 6'7", 305-pound offensive tackle, JJ Denman came to South Bend looking for something. He knew what it was, and so did the Irish coaches. He drove over 11 hours to get it, and when he did, the trip didn't seem so long after all.
Denman received a full scholarship offer to Notre Dame from Brian Kelly and is high on Notre Dame. Kelly called Denman and his family into his office and told the big lineman the news during the Junior Day last Saturday. He's fond of both Kelly and Irish offensive line coach Ed Warinner.
Denman also liked the talent on hand at the event, along with the campus, traditions and academics. He holds offers from Penn State, Boston College, South Carolina, Rutgers, West Virginia, UConn, Syracuse and Mississippi State, among others.
Terry Richardson Follows Up Offer with Junior Day Visit
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Terry Richardson, the 5'9", 170-pound defensive back from Cass Tech (MI), received an offer from Notre Dame a few days before his Junior Day visit—the news was relayed to Richardson via his high school coach.
Hailed as a great cover corner, Richardson plays bigger than his listed size and lets his quick feet, swivel hips and elite athleticism do the talking for his play. He took an unofficial visit to Notre Dame on Friday morning with his father, and he and his father stayed for the Junior Day festivities on Saturday.
He has offers from the likes of USC, Alabama, LSU, Ohio State, Michigan, Pitt, Illinois, Arizona State, Michigan State, Iowa and Indiana.
Moore Wants More of Notre Dame
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Mike Moore, the 6'4", 260-pound defensive end prospect form DeMatha (MD), also came away very impressed with Notre Dame last weekend. His father played at Virginia and works as an assistant there now.
Moore said the facilities at Notre Dame were phenomenal.
The connection of the atmosphere between DeMatha and Notre Dame is eerie, as both schools are Catholic schools who value academics and athletics. Moore spoke to Brian Kelly about life after football and how attending Notre Dame prepares a player for that.
The Irish project Moore to move out to outside linebacker in their 3-4 scheme, as Moore's size and athleticism make a perfect fit a a CAT 'backer. He will take another visit to South Bend this spring and holds offers from Florida, Florida State, Illinois, Tennessee, Miami, Penn State, Michigan State, NC State, Rutgers, Vanderbilt and Louisville.
Irish Eyeing Three Tight Ends
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The Irish hosted three tight ends on Saturday: Colin Thompson, Sam Grant and Blake Thomas.
Notre Dame has not offered a tight end prospect yet, choosing to really evaluate the three and another pool of players. Tight ends coach Mike Denbrock hosted the three players and spoke with them about how the position is played in South Bend.
Thomas claims he thinks he's the best tight end for the offer because he's the best receiver out of the bunch. The three toured the campus, watched 2010 season highlights and sat through an academic presentation form the Irish academic counselors.
Then came time to watch the Men's hoops game vs. Seton Hall. Look for one of the three to receive an offer from Notre Dame soon, and if you ask Thomas, it should be him.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
