3/30/2020 football Edit

Notre Dame Targets Listed In Initial 2022 Rivals100 Rankings

Mike Singer • InsideNDSports

Recruiting Insider

From Monday through Friday of this week, Rivals will be releasing 20 prospects each day that made the initial Rivals100 for the 2022 class.

The prospects are not put into numerical order in this release but are assigned recruit rankings.

BlueandGold.com will have all of the information about the 2022 Rivals100 in this story, including who the Notre Dame targets are that made the list.

FRIDAY RELEASE

Opa-locka (Fla.) Monsignor Edward Pace strong-side defensive end Shemar Stewart — Notre Dame offered Florida pass rusher Shemar Stewart in February. (Nick Lucero/Rivals.com)

Rundown: Opa-locka (Fla.) Monsignor Edward Pace defensive end Shemar Stewart, who is already an Under Armour All-America Game commit, picked up an offer from Notre Dame in early February. Stewart will be a very hard pull out of Florida for Notre Dame as he is being pursued by a ton of powerhouse programs.

Quotable: “Stewart is an athletic defensive end with great length and excellent closing speed. Florida and Miami will try to keep him in state, but LSU, Penn State and others are charging.” — Rivals’ Mike Farrell

Rundown: Martin (Tenn.) Westview’s Ty Simpson is a quarterback prospect who Notre Dame has kept an eye on for a while, but the Irish have yet to offer 2022 QB. Simpson is considered one of the best pure passers in his class and holds offers from the likes of Alabama, LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma and many others.

Quotable: “Simpson has a strong and accurate arm and can extend the play and buy time when the pocket breaks down. Tennessee, Alabama, Texas A&M, Michigan, Oklahoma and others stand out.” — Rivals’ Mike Farrell

Rundown: Notre Dame offered Kettering (Ohio) Archbishop Alter standout CJ Hicks in late January. The 6-4, 205-pounder has more than 20 scholarship offers and they will keep pouring in as he enters is junior year.

Quotable: “Notre Dame is a very talented school. People from Alter in the past, like Malik Zaire and Chris Finke, who was a captain last year, and Nick Coleman have played there.” — Hicks

Rundown: Notre Dame had been looking at Fort Worth (Texas) Nolan Catholic running back Emeka Megwa for several months and pulled the trigger with an offer Jan. 26. Notre Dame’s Lance Taylor has been by Nolan Catholic on a couple of occasions to inquire about Megwa, and it wasn’t surprising to see the Irish offer Megwa, who is one of the most talented backs in his class.

Quotable: “Megwa is a big back who is a one-cut-and-go guy with speed. He can also impact in the passing game. Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Georgia could be battling this out.” — Rivals’ Mike Farrell

Rundown: Hammond (Wis.) St. Croix Central’s Carson Hinzman is one of the top interior linemen in the 2022 class. Along with fellow Wisconsin talent Joe Brunner, Hinzman was one of the first two offensive line recruits to land Irish offers in his class. They were both offered while on campus last November, and Hinzman returned for another trip to South Bend in December.

Quotable: “He’s a really great guy and he knows what he's doing. He’s coached some pretty great linemen. He’s a really nice guy. He talked to me about his ‘Five F’s,’ faith, family, football, fishing and fun.” — Hinzman on Notre Dame offensive line coach Jeff Quinn

Rundown: Chester (Va.) Life Christian Academy defensive lineman Bryce Carter was a teammate of freshman Irish running back Chris Tyree last fall, but Carter has since transferred schools. Carter also reclassified to the 2022 class, and in doing so, he picked up a handful of new offers. Notre Dame has not extended a scholarship offer to him.

Quotable: “The coaches there are very great people. I love their program and what they’re doing with recruiting.” — Carter on Notre Dame

THURSDAY RELEASE

Jaishawn Barham is one of the best recruits in the 2022 class. (Nick Lucero/Rivals.com)

Rundown: Notre Dame extended an offer to big-time pass rusher Jaishwn Barham in January, and he is definitely intrigued with the Irish as an option in his recruitment. Defensive line coach Mike Elston extended the good news to the 6-3, 215-pounder. Barham is from one of the best high school programs on the East Coast at Baltimore St. Frances.

Quotable: “Barham is a big linebacker with length who runs plays down and loves to hit. Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Penn State, Maryland and Ohio State are some early favorites.” — Rivals’ Mike Farrell

Rundown: St. Louis St. Mary’s athlete Kevin Coleman is an explosive playmaker with the ball in his hands. Notre Dame hasn’t offered yet, but the newly minted four-star prospect visited South Bend last fall and will be someone to watch moving forward.

Quotable: “Coleman is an elite playmaker on either side of the ball and will impact in the return game as well. His ball skills are elite. Oregon and LSU turned his head with offers but he’s wide open.” — Rivals'’Mike Farrell

Rundown: No Notre Dame offer for Southlake (Texas) Carroll quarterback Quinn Ewers yet, but the Fighting Irish staff is looking at him. The 6-3, 190-pounder threw for more than 4,000 yards and 45 touchdowns in a big classification in Texas last year as a sophomore.

Quotable: “Ewers is a stat-stuffer who makes great decisions and doesn’t turn the ball over. Texas and Oklahoma seem to have an edge but Alabama, Clemson and others will be there.” — Rivals’ Mike Farrell

Rundown: Stongsville (Ohio) High’s Blake Miller is a massive offensive tackle (6-6, 305 pounds) and is just a sophomore. Miller visited Notre Dame for the Feb. 1 junior day and had a great time in South Bend. He does not hold an offer yet, but it seems one is likely to come at some point.

Quotable: “Coach [Jeff] Quinn is great. He seems like a really good coach. He has a résumé that is extremely impressive, and he has produced many many NFL draft picks.” — Miller

Rundown: Versatile defensive back Kamari Ramsey landed an offer from Notre Dame in January from Irish safeties coach Terry Joseph. Ramsey is the teammate of 2021 Notre Dame athlete target DJ Harvey. Ramsey could play multiple spots on defense with his 6-1, 200-pound size and ability.

Quotable: “They produce safeties in the NFL and they allow their freshmen to play. He told me about the history of the school and their 40 year plan for their student-athletes.” — Ramsey on Notre Dame

Rundown: Edmond (Okla.) Santa Fe wide receiver Talyn Shettron visited Notre Dame last fall and really loved his time there. He landed an offer from the Irish in February, and Notre Dame could become a real contender in this recruitment. It comes at no surprise that Shettron lands in Rivals' first top 100 in the 2022 class. He is a big time player.

Quotable: “Shettron has good size and is excellent bringing in 50-50 balls. Oklahoma could lead but Oklahoma State, Arkansas and others are there.” — Rivals’ Mike Farrell

Rundown: Shillington (Pa.) Governor Mifflin Senior’s Nicholas Singleton was the first running back in the 2022 class to land an offer from Notre Dame. He visited Notre Dame for the USC game Oct. 12 and made the trek out to South Bend the following month, which is when he picked up the Irish offer.

Quotable: “Just the tradition there and the academics are great there. The football team is really good, too.” — Singleton on Notre Dame

WEDNESDAY RELEASE

Fort Branch (Ind.) Gibson Southern pro-style quarterback Brady Allen is listed in Rivals” initial top 100 for the 2022 class. (Nick Lucero/Rivals.com)

Rundown: Notre Dame hasn’t offered any 2022 quarterbacks, but Fort Branch (Ind.) Gibson Southern’s Brady Allen is someone the Fighting Irish staff knows a lot about. The in-state product camped at Notre Dame last summer and visited for a game last fall. The 6-5, 196-pounder holds early offers from Cincinnati, Indiana, Purdue, Virginia Tech and Wisconsin.

Quotable: “I got to talk to coach Rees before and after the game. It went good. I appreciated getting a chance to talk to with him especially with him having two committed quarterbacks on their visits. We talked about how our seasons are going and how they had a great week of practice.” — Allen after October visit

Rundown: Notre Dame fans may not be as familiar with Braden Davis at this point, but the Middletown (Del.) High standout is definitely someone to know. Fighting Irish quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees visited Davis’ high school in January. Davis holds offers from Alabama, Florida, LSU, Oregon, Penn State and several others.

Quotable: “Davis is a tall quarterback with a huge frame who throws well on the run and has a cannon when he plants and fires. He’s a Tennessee legacy, but Alabama, Clemson, Georgia and others will be in the mix.” — Rivals’ Mike Farrell

Rundown: I got to see Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei receiver CJ Williams at the Rivals Camp stop in Los Angeles March 1, and he was impressive. Williams has plenty of interest in Notre Dame and was going to visit South Bend this month before the coronavirus shut that down.

Quotable: “Not only is it a high academic school and high level football, you also get to go there and learn about a different culture and get deeper into your faith.” — Williams on his Notre Dame offer

Rundown: Owing Mills (Md.) McDonogh defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton was also going to visit Notre Dame this spring but that was unfortunately cancelled. He was able to bump into defensive line coach Mike Elston at McDonogh in January. The 6-6, 240-pounder will hope to visit Notre Dame in the future.

Quotable: “I’ve always known that Notre Dame is a really good academic and football program. I wasn’t expecting the offer. It was a big shock to me when I was on the phone with them. I was happy when I got the offer.” — Dani Dennis-Sutton

Rundown: Overland Park (Kan.) Blue Valley North standout defender Dasan McCullough, who is the son of Kansas City Chiefs’ running backs coach Deland McCullough, added an offer from Feb. 20. He was offered by special teams coordinator Brian Polian as a rover prospect.

Quotable: “I know Jafar Armstrong is there right now; he went to school out here. I know him and his cousin really well. From everything I’ve heard, it’s a great school.” —McCullough

Rundown: Highlands Ranch (Colo.) Valor Christian all-purpose back Gavin Sawchuk attends the same school that Carolina Panthers’ superstar Christian McCaffrey went to. Of course, Irish running backs coach Lance Taylor coached McCaffrey at Stanford and with the Panthers. Notre Dame dished out an offer the talented playmaker in February.

Quotable: “I called Coach Taylor, and I was able to talk to him for a little while. It was a good conversation. We talked about how things were going and how he liked my game and enjoyed when I visited last year. Then he said he’d like to offer me.”

Rundown: Lagrange Park (Ill.) Nazareth Academy receiver Tyler Morris was the second prospect in the 2022 class to receive an offer from Notre Dame, and he visited South Bend a few times last year. The 5-11, 170-pounder is a big time playmaker and his recruitment will continue to blow up.

Quotable: “I love their program and the coaches. It's close to home and could be a really good fit for me.” — Morris on Notre Dame

TUESDAY RELEASE

Anaheim (Calif.) Servite wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan — Notre Dame offered four-star wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan of Anaheim (Calif.) Servite in February. (Nick Lucero/Rivals.com)

Rundown: Southern California playmaker Tetairoa McMillan is a guy who will be very much considered for five-star status when it is all said and done. The 6-4, 185-pounder added Notre Dame to his offer list Feb. 5 from receivers coach Del Alexander, and in watching his tape it is quickly clear why he is regarded as such a big-time prospect.

Quotable: “McMillan is a precise route runner with great hands who sets up defenders with ease. USC, Oregon, Notre Dame and LSU are a few that stand out.” — Rivals' Mike Farrell

Rundown: In the small town of Tiger, Ga., is Gunner Stockton, who is considered an elite quarterback in the 2022 class. Notre Dame has not offered any sophomore quarterbacks yet, but Stockton is someone who the staff is keeping its eyes on.

Quotable: “Stockton has five-star potential; think Jake Fromm with a stronger arm. Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina stand out early, and Clemson will be in there when it offers.” — Rivals’ Mike Farrell

Rundown: Grosse Pointe (Mich.) South cornerback Will Johnson visited Notre Dame last fall, but has yet to add the Irish to his offer list. Johnson is considered one of the top defensive backs in his class and has already earned close to 20 scholarship offers.

Quotable: “It was a great visit to come up and see the campus and vibe of the school. It was a great atmosphere. It was a sell out crowd.” — Johnson on his ND visit Sept. 28, 2019

Rundown: Whitefish Bay (Wis.) High offensive tackle Joe Brunner visited Notre Dame last November, and he and Carson Hinzman both landed offers from the Irish that day, becoming the first two offensive line prospects to earn offers from ND in the 2022 class. Brunner made another visit to Notre Dame for junior day Feb. 1.

Quotable: “[Notre Dame’s] facilities are top notch. It’s a great place and they have excellent education. I think it’s a really amazing place.” — Brunner

Rundown: It should come as no surprise to see Las Vegas Bishop Gorman’s Cyrus Moss crack this list. The 6-4, 200-pounder is one of the most versatile prospects you will see. Not too often do you see someone who could play defensive end, outside linebacker or safety at the next level. Well, safety is probably off the table because of how big he is going to get, but Moss will be a force in the front seven for years to come. Notre Dame offered Moss a scholarship Feb. 4.

Quotable: “Notre Dame has a great program both academically and athletically. Every offer is truly special and it will stay that way. It felt great to be considered for such a great school.” — Moss

MONDAY RELEASE

Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas offensive tackle and Notre Dame target Julian Armella at the Rivals Camp Series — Rivals ranks Florida offensive tackle Julian Armella as a five-star prospect in the initial 2022 Rivals100. (Nick Lucero/Rivals.com)

Rundown: Notre Dame offered South Florida five-star offensive tackle Julian Armella on Jan. 29, and the 6-6, 300-pounder had high remarks of the Fighting Irish. He will be a tough pull out of Florida as his father played for Florida State and other southern powers are pushing hard for him as well. But Notre Dame develops offensive line targets for the NFL, which has Armella’s attention.

Quotable: “[The Notre Dame offer] was mind blowing because the offensive linemen who come out of Notre Dame are insane. They go to the league and that’s my main goal at the end of the day.” — Armella

Rundown: Notre Dame joined the race for Marysville (Ohio) High linebacker Gabe Powers in January. Ohio State is always tough to beat for prospects from the Buckeye State, but the newly minted four-star prospect likes Notre Dame and wants to check out campus. Irish defensive line coach Mike Elston offered Powers, and as the 6-4, 220-pounder continues to grow, he could play end or linebacker at the next level.

Quotable: “I know [Notre Dame] is very good academically. That’s something I pride myself in. I’ve been taught my whole life that academics come first. I haven't been there before, but I look forward to seeing the campus and everything.” — Powers

Rundown: Notre Dame hasn’t put an offer on the table for four-star linebacker Tyler Martin yet, but the Irish have been interested in him for quite some time, and the feeling is mutual. Martin visited Notre Dame last fall and loved his time in South Bend. Michigan is considered the leader at the moment, and that may be in part because Notre Dame hasn’t offered yet.

Quotable: “I am going to give my all to continue growing this relationship — Notre Dame is one of my top schools even before an offer.” — Martin

Rundown: Georgia standout Myles “MJ” Morris is one of my personal favorite quarterbacks in the 2022 class. Notre Dame hasn’t offered Morris yet, but they actually haven’t offered any quarterbacks in the sophomore class yet. The Irish have been expressing interest in him and have stopped by his school on a few occasions in the past year or so.

Quotable: “Morris isn’t the biggest quarterback but he is excellent at extending the play with his eyes downfield and he has a strong arm. Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, LSU and Missouri are a few that stand out.” — Rivals' Mike Farrell

Rundown: Four-star safety Braelon Allen only holds offers from Iowa, Notre Dame and Wisconsin at this point, but the Fond Du Lac (Wis.) High sophomore standout will blow up. It's just a matter of time. Allen visited Notre Dame last fall and again Feb. 1 for junior day.

Quotable: “They care about football, and the academics are just as important. No other school has really stressed it like that, so that was different.” — Allen on Notre Dame

Rundown: Chicago St. Rita running back/wide receiver Kaleb Brown added an offer from Notre Dame last fall, one of the first few 2022 recruits to pick up a scholarship from the Irish. Brown holds about a dozen offers, and Notre Dame will be in pursuit of him for the long run.

Quotable: “[Notre Dame] is great with football and academics, and it’s a place that really has a core value of unity.” — Brown

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