Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl
Where: Stub Hub Center in Carson, Calif.
Time/TV: 9 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1.
Commits: 4-star DE Khalid Kareem and 3-star LB Jamir Jones.
Targets: None.
The Semper Fi Bowl – traditionally – has been a hub for Notre Dame commits, and while the numbers aren't exactly there this year, two Irish pledges will take to the field for the East team on Sunday night. Farmington Hills (Mich.) Harrison four-star defensive end Khalid Kareem is expected to get the start on the defensive line with Rochester (N.Y.) Aquinas Institute three-star linebacker Jamir Jones set to work behind him in the middle of the defense.
Three Questions
1. How will Kareem perform in the spotlight? Initial reports out of the West Coast state that Kareem (Rivals.com's No. 18 weakside defensive end) has been exceptional in practices all week, and could compete for a spot in Notre Dame's rotation right away when he enrolls early next week. While that's promising news for the Irish, it will still be interesting to see how MLive.com's Detroit Defensive Player of the Year fares against some top offensive linemen in a true game setting. The West is home to Texas four-star offensive tackle Denzel Okafor, Stanford three-star offensive tackle commit Henry Hattis and Oregon three-star offensive tackle commit Logan Bathke.
2. Will we learn anything new about Jamir Jones? Jones (Rivals.com's No. 44 outside linebacker) remains one of the biggest mysteries in Notre Dame's recruiting class when it comes to future position. The little brother of Irish defensive tackle Jarron Jones committed to Notre Dame back in June after working out for the staff and earning a scholarship offer at a camp. He's listed as a linebacker, and is expected to start his college career there, but at 6-4, 220-pounds he could eventually grow into a defensive end. Keep an eye on his lateral movement in pass coverage.
3. Can Kareem or Jones shoot up the rankings? Last year CJ Sanders was dubbed by Rivals.com as the "most consistent" wide receiver at the Semper Fi Bowl. It didn't take him long to find his way onto the field and make an impact for Notre Dame as a true freshman. Both Kareem and Jones will have a chance to impress on a national stage like Sanders did and climb up the Rivals.com rankings with strong performances under the lights.
