Philadelphia, PA (UHND) — Notre Dame got its 2 nd defensive line commitment in as many days on Wednesday when West Philadelphia Catholic defensive tackle Derrell Hand committed to the Irish at an afternoon press conference. Hand’s commitment comes one day after Indianapolis ‘ Patrick Kuntz gave his pledge to Notre Dame.
Derrell Hand (6-3, 305), who hails from the greatest city in the world known – Philadelphia to the lay person, picked the Irish over Michigan and Wisconsin . He was also recruited by Iowa and Miami , but did not receive an offer from either school. During his senior year he collected over 80 tackles and 5 sacks while playing on both sides of the ball. He is a massive prospect who could develop into a good run stopping defensive tackle.
Hand visited Notre Dame this past weekend. He becomes the 6 th commitment under Charlie Weis’ watch at Notre Dame. Defensive line has been a problem for Notre Dame in past years, but it appears they have gotten two solid prospects in Hand and Kuntz. While Hand is generally categorized as a run stuffer he is athletic enough to play on the West Catholic basketball team as well as playing both offense and defense on in football.
Patrick Kuntz (6-2, 255) does not have Hand’s size at this point, but is still considered a defensive tackle prospect. With some weight, Kuntz could become an athletic tackle with his 4.8 speed. Patrick grew up rooting for the Irish and picked Notre Dame after visiting on Charlie Weis’ first recruiting weekend.
During his senior year Kuntz registered 12 sacks and picked Notre Dame over Michigan State and Louisville . Kuntz is a local recruit from Indianapolis Patrick was prepared to make his decision earlier, but an offer from Charlie Weis and Notre Dame before Christmas made Kuntz hold off on his decision. Kuntz had not received an offer from the previous staff, but Weis offer Patrick a few weeks on the job.
Kuntz was the last uncommitted from Weis’ first big weekend. Earlier this week Rafael Eubanks recommitted to Iowa leaving Weis 5 for 6 in his first weekend.
Notre Dame’s gotten two good prospects this week in Patrick Kuntz and Derrell Hand. If the Irish can get Lawrence Wilson to commit back to Notre Dame, the defensive line class will be strong this year. Weis and staff are putting on the full court press for Wilson with an in home visit of 7 assistant coaches. Getting Wilson back in the fold would be a big boast for this class.
Notre Dame’s got some good momentum going the few weeks with 5 commitments — Paul Duncan, Michael Turkovich, Ray Herring, DJ Hord, Hand, and Kuntz since the full staff was put in place. The Irish now sit with 13 solid commitments and 2 previously committed players that the staff is still trying to get back in the fold. If Notre Dame can get Wilson and David Nelson back into this class along with a couple more commits from the small pool of players left the Irish will have a pretty decent class.
