Live Blog: National Signing Day
4:16 p.m. — Video from Mike Elston’s signing day press conference at Notre Dame.
4:13 p.m. — Notre Dame is ranked 13th in the updated Rivals team recruiting rankings.
4:07 p.m. — Brian Kelly and the Irish balanced the moving pieces throughout the class of 2017. Full story from Kelly’s press conference.
3:23 p.m. — Video from DelVaughn Alexander’s signing day press conference at Notre Dame.
2:17 p.m. — Kelly on his new coaching staff on the recruiting trail: “We’ve got really hard-working guys. They understand Notre Dame and they understand our distinction. They understand our message. … I’m proud that I get a chance to lead the group that I have. They hit the ground running, they didn’t ask for much.”
2:13 p.m. — Kelly was asked what the bigger challenge was in this cycle: Overcoming a 4-8 finish to the 2016 season or replacing five assistants?
“We had really good coaches that left us, but Notre Dame did not change,” Kelly said.
2:11 p.m. — Kelly said running back signee C.J. Holmes will likely see action as a freshman in 2017. The versatile back is talented enough that Notre Dame will “force feed him” and get him involved in the offense.
2:07 p.m. — Another signing came across for the Irish during Kelly’s press conference. Washington (D.C.) St. John’s College High three-star defensive end Kofi Wardlow has signed with the Irish. [Wardlow Bio]
• STORY: Kofi Wardlow Commits To Notre Dame
2:02 p.m. — Via Rivals Mid-Atlantic recruiting analyst Adam Friedman, Jeremiah Owusu talks about his commitment to Notre Dame.
“Notre Dame is a great opportunity on and off the field,” Owusu said. “They have great coaches and experienced coaches. I love the atmosphere up there. I met the players and they’re all on the same page. Everybody up there wants to win the national championship and get their degree.
“It’s one of the best schools in the country when it comes to academics, and they’ve been there and done that athletically.”
1:58 p.m. — With Owusu-Koramoah’s signing, Notre Dame now has 20 members in its class of 2017. One player remains on the team’s board: Washington (D.C.) St. John’s College High three-star defensive end Kofi Wardlow, who is holding a signing ceremony this afternoon.
1:55 p.m. — In the middle of his press conference, Kelly stepped away from the podium and into the hallway to take a phone call. It was Hampton (Va.) Bethel High three-star rover Jeremiah Owusu, who told Kelly he has committed to Notre Dame. [Owusu Bio]
1:49 p.m. — In discussing four-star defensive tackle signee Darnell Ewell, Kelly joked that if the hulking Virginia native wants to join the Notre Dame swim team, he can. The Irish aren’t going to tell him no. Physically, Ewell is able to step on campus as a freshman and fight for a starting spot. Ewell has told Kelly he plans to do just that.
“We’re not going to tell him anything different,” Kelly said.
1:47 p.m. — What does Kelly love about three-star quarterback signee Avery Davis?
“We love his pedigree and his experience in big games,” he said.
1:43 p.m. — Kelly noted that 13 of Notre Dame’s 24 signees in the class of 2016 saw the field as true freshmen. The eighth-year head coach hopes fewer first-year players have to contribute in 2017.
“We hope it’s not at 60 percent this year,” he noted.
1:39 p.m. — Kelly said athletics director Jack Swarbrick met with recruits every weekend, answering questions from parents and players.
“I don’t think that happens everywhere,” Kelly said.
1:35 p.m. — Head coach Brian Kelly is here for his press conference. He highlighted the team’s 15 longtime commitments that endured a difficult Notre Dame season. Irish had to weather some outside noise from other programs, but those 15 players remained faithful to their pledge.
1:25 p.m. — Polian said kicker signee Jonathan Doerer has a chance to come in and compete for the kickoff duties as a freshman. Too many kickoffs landed at the 6- or 7-yard line, and Doerer has an impact leg that can get touchbacks.
1:21 p.m. — Polian said Notre Dame took Kelly and other assistants off the road and brought them back to campus while Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa was visiting. It was a priority for the Irish to have the staff present for the Hawaiian’s visit to South Bend.
1:16 p.m. — Special teams coordinator Brian Polian said he sensed that Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa had the “makeup” and “courage” to do something different and come to Notre Dame. Many Hawaiian players stay in the Pac-12, but Polian was faithful that the Irish could land the three-star DT.
“He’s larger than you think,” Polian said of Tagovailoa-Amosa. “This is going to be a big dude, but he is really light on his feet for a guy that size.”
1:07 p.m. — Elston said three-star defensive tackle signee Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa came onto Notre Dame’s radar when the Irish played at USC in the season finale. The Notre Dame coaching staff saw the prospect in the tunnel and checked the Trojans’ visitors list to see who it was.
12:58 p.m. — DL Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa has sent in his Letter of Intent to Notre Dame. [Tagovailoa-Amosa Bio]
12:55 p.m. — Recruiting coordinator Mike Elston discussed the last month of recruiting, keeping the class together and phasing in the team’s new assistant coaches. “It was quite the ordeal, quite the process, and a lot of work,” Elston said. The longtime Kelly assistant is moving to coach the defensive line, taking over for Keith Gilmore.
12:18 p.m. — Video from Clark Lea’s signing day press conference at Notre Dame.
12:07 p.m. — Three-star Kapolei (Hawai'i) High defensive tackle Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa has committed to Notre Dame. Here is a story on his commitment. Notre Dame has not announced his letter of intent.
12:05 p.m. — Notre Dame receivers coach DelVaughn Alexander has been on the job for just a few weeks, but he already has a good feel for the team’s two receiver signees: Michael Young and Jafar Armstrong. Young had plenty of questions for Alexander during their in-home meeting, which pleased Alexander.
12 p.m. — Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly was interviewed by ESPN’s Joe Tessitore earlier today. Here is the audio.
11:53 a.m. — Video from Mike Elko’s signing day press conference at Notre Dame.
11:50 a.m. — Video from Harry Hiestand’s signing day press conference at Notre Dame.
11:36 a.m. — Video from Todd Lyght’s signing day press conference at Notre Dame.
11:34 a.m. — Defensive coordinator Mike Elko said Notre Dame needs to do a little better job at cornerback in the next recruiting class. He places a premium on bigger guys that can cover receivers one-on-one. The Irish had two cornerback decommits this cycle: Paulson Adebo and Elijah Hicks.
11:19 a.m. — From 6-7 p.m., Yahoo Sports and Rivals analysts break down the 2017 class, where the top recruits are headed and what it means for college football’s elite programs.
10:59 a.m. — Three-star Kapolei (Hawai'i) High defensive tackle Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa is expected to announce his college decision at noon ET. Stay tuned to Blue & Gold Illustrated for the latest on that announcement.
10:50 a.m. — Linebackers coach Clark Lea said everything Notre Dame looks for in a linebacker he sees in signee Drew White. In regard to fellow linebacker signee David Adams, Lea said he was struck by Adams’ dedication to being the best player he can be.
“I got two guys that are committed to Notre Dame and committed to the university and all that this experience entails,” Lea said.
10:43 a.m. — Lyght said that sophomore Devon Studstill might move to strong safety and sophomore Jalen Elliott to free safety. Junior Nicco Fertitta will likely remain at free safety. Junior Ashton White or junior Nick Coleman could move to safety, he said.
10:31 a.m. — Defensive backs coach Todd Lyght said he’d like to get the Houston and Detroit metro areas in recruiting. Those territories have yet to be defined with the coaching staff turnover.
10:18 a.m. — S Jordan Genmark Heath has sent in his Letter of Intent to Notre Dame. [Genmark Heath Bio]. He is the final committed player to sign with the Irish. Notre Dame is still waiting for several announcements this afternoon.
10:13 a.m. — Notre Dame is still awaiting a letter of intent from San Diego Cathedral Catholic safety Jordan Genmark Heath. The remaining prospects on the board are three-star Kapolei (Hawai'i) High defensive tackle Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa, Washington (D.C.) St. John’s College High three-star defensive end Kofi Wardlow (2-2:30 p.m. ET) and Hampton (Va.) Bethel High three-star rover Jeremiah Owusu (2 p.m. ET).
10:09 a.m. — Video from Chip Long’s signing day press conference at Notre Dame.
10:07 a.m. — LB David Adams has sent in his Letter of Intent to Notre Dame. [Adams Bio]
9:45 a.m. — Running backs coach Autry Denson compared RB early enrollee C.J. Holmes to former Irish RB C.J. Prosise. Denson said he likes Holmes’ versatility and ability to compete. “Any guy you can get a guy that complete, that skill set, and with that work ethic, it’s a slam dunk,” Denson said.
9:38 a.m. — Long, who was officially hired Jan. 9, had to hit the ground running quickly with less than a month to National Signing Day. Long said he leaned on Notre Dame’s established assistants — Mike Elston, Hiestand and Autry Denson — to close on several recruits. “The best part was we didn’t panic late and take any at-risk guys,” Long said.
9:34 a.m. — Offensive coordinator Chip Long is very high on Notre Dame’s tight end signees Cole Kmet and Brock Wright: “I don’t think you can get two better players that offset each other in one class. ... The offense is perfect for what they do and what they do well.” Long, who has extensive experience coaching tight ends at Arizona State and Memphis, will also coach the tight ends with the Irish.
9:02 a.m. — Hiestand said all four of Notre Dame’s signees are flexible enough to play tackle and big and physical enough to play inside at guard. “We made a point to find guys that are multiple position players,” he said.
9:00 a.m. — Offensive line coach Harry Hiestand said Robert Hainsey’s experience playing at IMG Academy and living away from home has helped in his transition to Notre Dame. He is rooming with fellow OL early enrollee Aaron Banks.
8:55 a.m. — K Jonathan Doerer has sent in his Letter of Intent to Notre Dame. [Doerer Bio]
8:39 a.m. — DL Kurt Hinish has sent in his Letter of Intent to Notre Dame. [Hinish Bio]
8:37 a.m. — Greenwood (Ind.) Center Grove High four-star cornerback Russ Yeast signs with Louisville. Notre Dame, who got an official visit from Yeast Jan. 20-22, was a finalist for the talented cornerback.
8:34 a.m. — Three-star quarterback Avery Davis was one of two quarterbacks the Irish targeted in the class of 2017. The other was five-star Clemson signee Hunter Johnson. After missing out on Johnson, former ND assistant Mike Sanford moved onto Davis, the No. 19 dual-threat quarterback in the country according to Rivals.
8:30 a.m. — QB Avery Davis has sent in his Letter of Intent to Notre Dame. [Davis Bio]
8:24 a.m. — WR Jafar Armstrong has sent in his Letter of Intent to Notre Dame. [Armstrong Bio]
8:16 a.m. — WR Michael Young has sent in his Letter of Intent to Notre Dame. [Young Bio]
7:47 a.m. — Notre Dame is expected to bring in at least three walk-ons: Youngstown (Ohio) Cardinal Mooney High safety Patrick Pelini, West Des Moines (Iowa) Valley High safety John Mahoney and Shawnee Mission (Kan.) Bishop Miege High offensive lineman Colin Grunhard. Those players will not sign any paperwork, but will arrive on campus this summer.
7:42 a.m. — DT Darnell Ewell has sent in his Letter of Intent to Notre Dame. [Ewell Bio]
7:34 a.m. — LB Drew White has sent in his Letter of Intent to Notre Dame. [White Bio]
7:18 a.m. — DL Jonathon MacCollister has sent in his Letter of Intent to Notre Dame. [MacCollister Bio]
7:16 a.m. — OL Dillan Gibbons has sent in his Letter of Intent to Notre Dame. [Gibbons Bio]
6:40 a.m. — With early enrollees Robert Hainsey, Aaron Banks, C.J. Holmes, Brock Wright and Isaiah Robertson already on campus, we have bios up for all five athletes. Hainsey Bio | Banks Bio | Holmes Bio | Wright Bio | Robertson Bio.
6:37 a.m. — Blue & Gold has arrived at The Gug for Notre Dame’s NSD event. Updates will follow throughout the day.
12:31 a.m. — For an in-depth look at Notre Dame’s class of 2017, here are BGI football analyst Bryan Driskell’s rankings.
12:03 a.m. — Predictions for Notre Dame’s final targets from BGI recruiting reporters David McKinney and Corey Bodden.
12:01 a.m. — Well, National Signing Day is finally here, and the Blue & Gold Illustrated team will be bringing you live coverage the whole day from The Gug as Notre Dame’s recruiting class is completed. Follow along here for the latest recruiting updates and information as the letters of intent roll in.
Notre Dame has its eye on four players in particular: three-star Kapolei (Hawai'i) High defensive tackle Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa, Washington (D.C.) St. John’s College High three-star defensive end Kofi Wardlow, Greenwood (Ind.) Center Grove High four-star cornerback Russ Yeast and Hampton (Va.) Bethel High three-star rover Jeremiah Owusu.
The National Letters of Intent should start rolling in around 7 a.m. Notre Dame will announce the additions to the class as the faxes arrive throughout the morning. Head coach Brian Kelly and his assistants will each hold press conferences to talk about the team’s signees.
For updates throughout the day, follow the Blue & Gold Illustrated team on Twitter:
Blue & Gold Illustrated: @BGInews
Recruiting reporters: @BGI_DMcKinney and @BGI_CoreyBodden
Football analyst: @BGI_CoachD
Staff writer: @BGI_MattJones
Senior editor: @BGI_LouSomogyi
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