(UHND.com) – Notre Dame picked up its 18th commitment of the class of 2008 Monday when Cardinal Mooney safety Dan McCarthy, brother of current Notre Dame defensive back Kyle McCarthy, picked the Irish over Ohio State, Michigan, LSU, and Oklahoma.
McCarthy (6’2”, 190, 4.48), a four star prospect by both Scout.com and Rivals.com, is the third defensive back to commit to Notre Dame this year along with cornerbacks Robert Blanton and Jamoris Slaughter. He is also the first “true” safety in this class with both Blanton and Slaughter slated to line up at corner for the Irish for now.
This past season McCarthy did a little bit of every for Cardinal Mooney. As a quarterback he threw for 785 yards and eight touchdowns while picking up another 1,910 yards on the ground and an additional 21 rushing touchdowns. On defense, all McCarthy did was register 112 tackles, seven sacks, and two interceptions.
McCarthy’s efforts helped lead his team to an undefeated season which was capped off with a state championship. Against Alder HS in the state title game, McCarthy was at his best with just over 160 yards on the ground and a fumble recovery and interception on defense. Both of McCarthy’s turnovers led to touchdowns in Mooney’s 26-12 victory.
McCarthy’s eye popping stats make it easy to see why the likes of Ohio State, Michigan, Oklahoma, LSU, and Penn State – a bunch of schools that know a thing or two about defense – were all heavily vying for his services.
That offer list has prompted many within the Notre Dame online community to project Dan as a more talent prospect than his brother Kyle, who will be fighting for the starting safety spot opposite Tommy Zbikowski this year.
Because of his ties to Notre Dame through Kyle, many may be taking this commitment for granted by assuming this was a foregone conclusion. Make no mistake, Notre Dame had to do a pretty good job recruiting to secure Dan’s commitment this early in the process and their prize is one of the most versatile and talented athletes in this year’s recruiting class.
McCarthy is a very versatile athlete, as his stats suggest, and has all of the tools to become a premier safety on the college level. He might not be a track star, but he has great football speed and has excellent quickness. He isn’t a lights out hitter, but he is a sound tackler who is strong against the run. At 190 pounds entering his senior season, McCarthy should also report to Notre Dame big enough to challenge for playing time from day one.
