Notre Dame 2019 Early Look: Southwest/West
The Notre Dame coaching staff has done a great job of getting the ball rolling with recruiting in the class of 2019.
With two members of the Rivals250 (Quarterback Cade McNamara and defensive tackle Jacob Lacey) already in the fold, the staff is focused on building upon that foundation.
Over the next few days, Blue & Gold Illustrated will go region-by-region previewing the players who have been offered and potential future targets who have been to Notre Dame’s campus for camps, etc.
Today, we take a look at the Southwest/West
OFFENSE
Notre Dame has already grabbed McNamara from Reno (Nev.) Damonte Ranch and is looking to keep the momentum going with offensive players from the West in 2019.
Notre Dame has extended offers to two of the West's top tight end prospects in class, Ethan Rae and Isaiah Foskey.
Rae, an Orange (Calif.) Lutheran product, is ranked as the No. 4 tight end in the class of 2019 and No. 104 overall player in the nation. Foskey comes from Concord (Calif.) De La Salle and is ranked as the No. 4 athlete in the class and No. 74 overall player in the nation.
Both have expressed early interest in Notre Dame and have discussed eventually making trips to campus.
Down in Texas, Notre Dame has entered the mix for two Rivals250 offensive lineman.
Humble (Texas) Atascocita offensive tackle Kenyon Green, the No. 35 overall player in the class, picked up an offer from Notre Dame on May 11, but remains committed to LSU.
Notre Dame, along with programs like Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan and several others will be working to flip Green's commitment over the next several months.
Conroe (Texas) Oak Ridge Tyler Johnson is currently uncommitted, but does not say much publicly about his recruitment.
Johnson landed an offer from the Irish on April 10, adding Notre Dame to a list that includes Arkansas, Michigan, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, TCU and others.
He is teammates with 2018 defensive end Joseph Ossai who will officially visit Notre Dame on Sept. 2
Notre Dame has also offered Anaheim (Calif.) Mater Dei athlete Bru McCoy, who plays mostly wide receiver for the Monarchs.
McCoy, the No. 4 athlete in the class of 2019 and No. 50 overall player in the nation, visited Notre Dame for Irish Invasion in 2016 and has expressed interest in making a return visit, but has not been able to make it happen yet.
The Irish are also evaluating Kahuku (Hi.) High four-star offensive tackle Enokk Vimahi.
DEFENSE
Notre Dame has extended several offers on the defensive side of the ball in the Southwest/West.
Cornerback is one the most highly discussed positions when it comes to Notre Dame recruiting, and the Irish are involved early with one of 2019's best.
Chris Steele of Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco is the No. 2 cornerback in the class and No. 26 overall player in the nation and has spoken highly of Notre Dame since being offered in July.
Steele already plans on taking an official visit to Notre Dame next year.
Notre Dame has also offered Gardena (Calif.) Junipero Serra cornerback Max Williams, the No. 5 cornerback in the class and No. 54 overall player in the country.
Speaking of defensive backs with the last name Williams, Notre Dame has also made an early play for Dallas Bishop Dunne safety Brian Williams.
Williams, the No. 1 safety in the class and No. 11 overall player in the nation, visited Notre Dame for Irish Invasion over the summer, and has Notre Dame high on his list heading into his junior season.
Other defensive backs in the region Notre Dame has extended offers to include Westlake Village (Calif.) Oaks Christian safety Joshua Calvert and Eugene (Ore.) Sheldon athlete Raymond Woodie, the No. 222 overall player in the nation.
At linebacker, Notre Dame has offered threw Rivals250 members in Concord (Calif.) De La Salle prospect Henry To'oto'o, Honolulu Punahou standout Maninoa Tufono and Fort Worth (Texas) Nolan Catholic product NaNa Osafo-Mensah.
To'oto'o, the No. 2 inside linebacker in the class was offered by Notre Dame in July, and was fired up to add the Irish to his list. At the time, To'oto'o said his offer from Notre Dame was one of his biggest yet.
Tufono, the No. 6 inside linebacker in the class and No. 2o1 overall player in the nation, has plenty of Irish connections. Not only does he attend the same high school as former Irish great Manti Te'o where the father of current Notre Dame safety Alohi Gilman is on the coaching staff, but he is also cousins with Irish freshman defensive tackle Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa.
Osafo-Mensah is also hoping to eventually visit Notre Dame.
Osafo-Mensah, the No. 7 outside linebacker in the class and No. 130 overall player in the nation, loves what Notre Dame has to offer, and is open to the idea of leaving Texas for college.
On the defensive line, Notre Dame has offered several prospects in the Southwest/West.
One of the top players in the class is Honolulu St. Louis defensive tackle Faatui Tuitele, the No. 2 defensive tackle in the class and No. 45 overall player in the nation.
Tuitele was offered by Notre Dame in May, and has been impressed with special teams/recruiting coordinator Brian Polian.
Notre Dame has also thrown it's hat into the ring for a few big-time defensive lineman from the Lonestar state.
Sachse (Texas) High weakside defensive end Hunter Spears, the No. 242 overall player in the country, has been high on Notre Dame since landing an offer, and is working on setting up an unofficial visit for the 2017 season.
Houston Mayde Creek defensive end Marcus Stripling has offers from all over the country, including Notre Dame, Alabama, Oklahoma, Texas and others.
Stripling, the No. 3 strongside defensive end in the class and No. 16 overall player in the class, doesn't say a lot on his recruitment, but did tell BGI he would consider a visit to South Bend after Notre Dame offered.
Notre Dame has also offered five-star Westlake Village (Calif.) Oaks Christian five-star defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux.
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