Class Impact: CB Noah Boykin To Notre Dame
The commitment of Washington (D.C.) H.D. Woodson cornerback Noah Boykin gives Notre Dame’s 2018 recruiting class a major boost, and a Signing Day shocker. Notre Dame lands not only another talented and highly ranked football player, it receives one at a position that was arguably the biggest need spot over the last year.
It also marks the second straight recruiting cycle that Notre Dame has taken one of the top players from the DC area. It appeared Boykin was going to sign with Florida, but a late charge from cornerbacks coach Todd Lyght won the day for the Irish.
Boykin had offers from Clemson, Michigan, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Wisconin, Virginia Tech, Boston College, Virginia, Vanderbilt, Pittsburgh, Michigan State, Louisville, Kentucky and Iowa State among others.
CLASS IMPACT
Notre Dame desperately needed to add impact talent and depth to the position after failing to sign a single player at the position a season ago. With all three of the 2016 signees at cornerback playing their first two seasons instead of redshirting, that need is even greater.
Landing depth is one thing, but Notre Dame really needed to add players who could be impact starters down the road. Boykin gives Notre Dame that kind of player, and he’s arguably the most advanced player when they all show up to campus. Boykin also gives Notre Dame a third corner with excellent length. Boykin is 6-2, and Notre Dame also signed 6-2 cornerback Joseph Wilkins Jr. of North Fort Myers (Fla.) and 6-1 cornerback D.J. Brown of Washington (D.C.) St. John’s Collegiate.
Boykin and Brown give Notre Dame two of the best players from the D.C. area, and it makes the third player in the last two classes to pick Notre Dame from the region, joining defensive end Kofi Wardlow.
Boykin is a natural cornerback that has all the traits you need to be a successful cornerback at his height. The H.D. Woodson standout uses his length extremely well, and he’s very rangy. Boykin has quick feet, he can stop and go quickly and he transitions very well.
What he lacks in top end speed he makes up for with good closing speed, elite length and instincts. Boykin is a physical player for his size (168 pounds), and with weight room work he should be more than capable of being an effective run player for the Irish.
His coverage ability gives him the flexibility to play both cornerback spots in the Irish defense.
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