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SIGNED: DT Darnell Ewell

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Norfolk (Va.) Lake Taylor defensive tackle Darnell Ewell submitted his National Letter of Intent to Notre Dame on Wednesday.

Rivals rates the 6-4, 295-pounder as a four-star talent, the No. 6 player in Virginia, and the No. 9 defensive tackle and No. 139 overall prospect nationally.

Measurables
• Recorded a 5.55-second 40-yard dash, a 4.95-second pro shuttle time and a 28-inch vertical jump at Nike Football The Opening Regional in Charlotte, N.C., on April 26, 2016.

Statistics
• As a senior, notched 44 tackles, three sacks and three forced fumbles. Was also a key blocker on an offense that racked up 4,393 total yards and averaged 42.5 points per game.

Honors
• Selected first-team All-USA Virginia as an offensive lineman by USA Today following his senior campaign.
• Named to the Virginia High School League Group 4A All-State first team as an offensive lineman.
• Chosen to The Virginian-Pilot’s All-Tidewater team following his senior year.
• Tabbed as a first-team All-Conference 17 performer on offense and defense.
• Selected first-team all-region in 4A East Region.
• Name The Virginian-Pilot’s No. 4 overall South Hampton Roads area recruit.

All-Star Games And Camps
• Participated in at Nike Football The Opening Regional in Charlotte, N.C., on April 26, 2016.

Recruitment
• Committed to Notre Dame on July 15, 2016, over Ohio State, Michigan, Clemson and Alabama. Also had offers from Miami, Michigan State, Penn State, Tennessee and Virginia Tech.
• Visited Notre Dame one time before committing.
• Officially visited for the Echoes Awards banquet Dec. 9-11.
• Primary Notre Dame recruiter was former tight ends coach/special teams coordinator Scott Booker.

Notable
• Born June 17, 1998.
• Is the first recruit from the South Hampton Roads area to sign with Notre Dame since Isaiah Gardner in 2003.
• Became the fourth Virginia prospect to sign with the Irish in the Brian Kelly era.

2017 Projection
• Ewell’s size and physicality will give him an opportunity to earn immediate playing time at defensive tackle.

BGI football analyst Bryan Driskell: “Ewell is one of the most powerful defensive tackles in the country, and he should be able to help out right away at Notre Dame. His size and power will play quite well in defensive coordinator Mike Elko’s attack thanks to his quick first step and elite power.

“He is a high effort player with a thick frame. His game is about aggression, and his run game production is outstanding. His technique needs work, and at times he will allow blockers to get into his body, but when he gets his hands on an opponent he is going to win that battle.”

DARNELL EWELL BGI FILM EVALUATION

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