Signed: Josh Barajas
Merrillville (Ind.) Andrean outside linebacker Josh Barajas submitted his letter of intent to Notre Dame on Wednesday.
The 6-3, 212-pounder is ranked as a four-star prospect, the No. 2 player in Indiana, the No. 13 outside linebacker in the nation and the No. 180 overall prospect in the class of 2015 by Rivals.
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Measurables
• Bench presses a max of 315 pounds.
Statistics
• Helped Andrean (15-1) to a state-runner-up finish in Class 3A as a senior by notching 98 stops, 10 tackles for loss, seven sacks and an interception despite missing four games due to a broken finger, which got infected and required surgery.
• Compiled 92 tackles, five sacks and two interceptions while helping Andrean (15-0) to the Class 3A state championship during his junior campaign.
Honors
• Selected as a U.S. Army All-American as a senior.
• Tabbed as the No. 1 overall prospect in the Midwest by Scout.com.
• Received first-team all-state accolades from the Associated Press after his senior campaign.
• Earned a spot on the 2014 American Family Insurance All-USA Indiana team.
• Named the 2014 Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team all-area performer by the Northwest Indiana Times as a senior.
• Named to the Butkus Award watch list (nation's best prep linebacker) as a senior.
Recruitment
• Committed to the Irish on May 30, 2014.
• Originally pledged to Penn State in March 2014. Also received offers from Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio State, Oregon, Tennessee and Wisconsin, among others.
• Primary recruiter at Notre Dame was defensive line coach Mike Elston.
• Official visit to South Bend was for the Football Awards Show on Dec. 12, 2014, plus he made unofficial visits on March 1 and June 18, 2014.
• Also made unofficial visits to Michigan State, Purdue, Ohio State and Penn State.
Notable
• Born on April 4, 1997.
2015 Projection
• Needs to bulk up 15-20 pounds, but his superb range and outstanding athleticism could make it tough to keep him off the field at both Sam linebacker and special teams.
They Said It
Rivals Midwest recruiting analyst Josh Helmholdt: "He's not limited from a physical standpoint. He's got great size and great length for a linebacker. He runs very well to the point that his coaches played him at cornerback throughout different times during his high school career when they faced teams that threw the ball a lot. He can definitely play in space.
"He needs to continue to develop at being stronger at the point of attack and being able to hold the edge. He just needs to bulk up in run support.
"I think he's a great athlete for the position with great range, and I think he fits best on the outside because it will allow him to get in space more. He brings a little of what Jaylon Smith brings to the Notre Dame defense. He can cover the middle of the field and all the way to the sidelines while taking a running back from the backfield or tight end when needed."
Prep Football Report's Tom Lemming: "Outstanding athlete with a nose for the ball. He's got big-play capability. In northwest Indiana the competition is only okay, but he runs very well at linebacker and can surprise a lot of people. He can play either inside or outside, but has more of an outside frame."
Film
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