Notre Dame Makes Top Five For California Safety Julius Irvin
Notre Dame already has one of the best safeties in the country committed in four-star Derrik Allen, and appear to be in good shape to bring in another big-time talent at the position to join him.
BGI reported earlier this week that Anaheim (Calif.) Servite safety Julius Irvin was getting close to narrowing things down, and Friday Irvin released a list of his top five schools and Notre Dame made the cut along with Michigan, USC, Washington and Utah.
Irvin picked up his offer from Notre Dame on February 19, and was immediately intrigued by the Irish.
The main recruiter for Irvin has been West Coast recruiting ace Brian Polian, who impressed Irvin with his knowledge of the football in the Los Angeles area.
“He knows a lot about the area,” Irvin said. “He’s been a very big influence on my recruitment to Notre Dame.”
Irvin has also been communicating regularly with defensive coordinator Mike Elko, and recently told BGI he feels like Notre Dame has made him a priority.
“Coach Polian told me he’ll hold a spot for me all the way until signing day,” Irvin said. “I feel like I’m a priority over there because they’re willing to do that for me, and that’s huge.”
BGI football analyst Bryan Driskell said Irvin is a perfect fit for that Mike Elko is looking for in his defense.
"The safety position is very important in Mike Elko’s defense, and the new Irish defensive coordinator wants rangy safeties that can cover, that can hit and safeties that can make plays," Driskell said. "That’s exactly what Irvin is, and it’s why Notre Dame has him high on their board."
Driskell described Irvin as a "rangy" defender that is valuable against both the pass and the run.
"Irvin is long and rangy, showing the ability to cover a lot of ground in the run game and in zone coverage in the pass game," Driskell explained. "He comes up hard against the run and perimeter screens, and he’s a physical football player. Irvin needs to clean up his tackling technique, but the skills are there for him to be a productive in-the-box player, which is part of what safeties must be in Elko’s defense."
Irvin participated in The Opening Regional in Los Angeles on March 12 and showed off some solid athletic traits.
"Athletically there is a lot to like about Irvin, who leaped over 38 inches at the Nike Football The Opening Regional in Los Angeles," Driskell stated. "Irvin shows good agility, good speed and he transitions well enough to open up and run. "
To get the latest on Irvin's recruitment and other safeties on Notre Dame's board, be sure to read BGI's Defensive Back Hot Board
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