SIGNED: DT Hunter Spears

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Sachse (Texas) High defensive tackle Hunter Spears has submitted his National Letter of Intent to Notre Dame.

Rivals: 4.0 stars (No. 49 player in Texas and No. 33 strongside defensive end in the country)
BGI Grade: 4.0 (top-100 player)
Upside Grade: 5.0

SENIOR SEASON: Recorded 58 tackles, 24 tackles for a loss, five sacks, two fumble recoveries and a pick-six through nine games before suffering a season-ending ACL tear.

JUNIOR SEASON: Missed the season with an ACL tear.

SOPHOMORE SEASON: 57 total tackles, 11 tackles for a loss and four sacks.

• Texas Region 10-6A All-District first team.
• Texas High School Coaches Association Academic All-State second team.

POWER FIVE OFFERS: Alabama, Baylor, California, Colorado, Houston, Illinois, Michigan State, Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas Tech and Arkansas

From the time Spears picked up his offer from Notre Dame on June 2, 2017, it was clear that Notre Dame had a great shot at landing him. The four-star spoke glowingly of the Irish in early interviews. On the same day he was offered, Spears told BGI that Notre Dame “would be hard to say no to.”

Spears took his first visit to Notre Dame for the USC game on Oct. 21, 2017, and was blown away by what he saw. He returned for the Junior Day Jan. 27, where the Irish all but wrapped up his commitment. The Texas talent said he thought about committing that day, but decided to hold off.

But the Irish didnot have to wait too long for Spears’ commitment. The Sachse (Texas) High standout went public with his pledge less than a month later on Feb. 20.

Spears was primarily recruited to Notre Dame by defensive line coach Mike Elston. He took his official visit to South Bend April 14.

• Born on Sept. 15, 2000.
• Throws shot put and discus for Sachse.
• Played running back early in his football career.
• Has a 4.5 GPA and is the No. 4 student in his class at Sachse.

Spears being able to contribute in 2019 will be determined by how quickly he can get back to full speed and good health after tearing his ACL late this season. If he can get back to full strength and full speed he will be hard to keep off the field in 2019.

It is not fair to put this kind of expectation on a high school player, but when you watch Spears as a senior it is hard not to see how much his game resembles that of current Notre Dame standout defensive tackle Jerry Tillery.

Spears looked incredibly natural playing inside this season. He lined up at nose tackle, three technique and defensive end this season, and he dominated at every spot. But when he was playing inside he showed off the five-star upside I’ve always known he has had.

Listed at 6-5 and 260 pounds (he’s closer to 290 now), Spears has an incredible frame for a young player. He will need to reshape his body and get in better shape, but with his frame he could easily grow to be a 300-plus pounder with impressive quickness and playmaking ability on the inside.

Spears is a powerful player with a lot of raw strength. He has a strong punch and fast hands. During his senior season he showed the ability to get his hands inside a blocker, lock them out and then toss them aside as he headed to the quarterback or the ball carrier. His lower body is so strong that he can get opponents on their heels and then drive them right into the backfield. These traits make him a dominant run defender and a dangerous pass rusher up the middle.

Spears is a quality athlete with a quick burst off the line and good closing speed. He can quickly shoot gaps and knows how to “get skinny” when working vertically. Like Tillery, he has the hand speed and power to club or rip his way into the backfield, and when he gets an edge he can quickly close on the quarterback. Spears shows good pad level off the ball, but at times he’ll lift up once engaged, something he’ll need to correct.

If not for him injuring his knee for a second time his grade would have raised to 4.5 stars. He has that much talent, but the injury keeps his grade down a bit.

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