Meet Notre Dame Football's '16 Defensive Recruits // UHND.com

Julian Okware - Notre Dame DE — Photo originally posted on Twitter

Julian Okwara – WDE

Summary: The younger brother of graduating defensive end Romeo Okwara, Julian Okwara comes to Notre Dame as a similar, but more developed prospect than his older brother. Julian Okwara projects as a weakside defensive end just like his brother but will be a full year older than his brother was as a true freshman. People forget that Romeo Okwara was playing NCAA football not long after his 17 year old birthday. Julian is already 18 months before even reporting to campus. Like his brother though, the younger Okwara will need some time to develop as he was listed as just 220 lbs by recruiting services. Like his brother, he also has a lot of potential and could be a future Notre Dame season sack leader just like his brother has been the last two years.

Immediate Role: I don’t think we’ll see Julian play much as a true freshman like his older brother did four years ago. He won’t be pressed into action too early, but will likely spend the 2016 bulking up and preparing for a larger role down the road.

Long-Term Role: Okwara has a higher ceiling than his older brother given he comes in more physically developed and won’t be pressed into action too early. It still bothers me that Romeo Okwara burned a year of eligibility like he did in 2012 because he is still improving and could have been a really, really good pass rusher next year, but I digress. Julian will have work to do to surpass his brother, but he has the potential to do it.

Measureables:

Height: 6-4
Weight: 220 lbs
Hometown/School: Charlotte, NC Ardrey Kell HS

Competition: Clemson, Georgia, Duke, Michigan, North Carolina, Pitt, Tennessee

Ratings/Rankings:

Composite (247): 4-star / #24 WDE / Overall #299
247 Sports: 4-star / #25 WDE / Overall #330
ESPN: 4-star / #49 DE
Rivals: 4-star / #18 WDE
Scout: 4-star / #30 DE

Julian Okwara Highlights

Julian Love – DB

Summary: This was a case of a recruit really just waiting for an offer and then jumping when he had the chance. As a 3-star prospect he had to earn his offer at Notre Dame’s junior day in the spring, but it didn’t take him long to do just that. Love played lot of offense in high school, but his future on the collegiate level is on the defensive side of the ball. He has the versatility to play corner or safety but most likely projects as a corner due to his height. Rivals thinks the most highly of Love as the only service to rate him as a 4-star prospect, but this is a recruit that the Notre Dame coaching staff was really high on once they saw him on campus. Love was pegged by UHND as one of the Hidden Gems in the class of 2016.

Immediate Role: While we think Love has a bright future at Notre Dame, he most likely would only see the field in 2016 on special teams. Notre Dame has some depth at corner, and Love will need some time to focus solely on defense before he is ready for a larger role. Of course, we did all think that of Keivarae Russell back in 2012 as well…

Long-Term Role: Long term, Love is a recruit with a high ceiling, but since he hasn’t played a lot of defense, he also could have a low floor. Thus the 3-star ranking. He has the potential to be a very good, starting caliber player for Notre Dame, but at the same time he is not a sure thing. Love is, however, a prospect to be very excited about who will be a lot of fun to watch develop.

Measureables:

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Hometown/School:

Competition: Boston College, Rutgers, Iowa, Northwestern

Ratings/Rankings:

Composite (247): 3-star / #45 CB / #478 Overall
247 Sports: 3-star / #50 CB / #544 Overall
ESPN: 3-star / #35 ATH
Rivals: 4-star / #21 CB
Scout: 3-star / #39 CB

Daelin Hayes – OLB/DE

Summary: An early enrollee and one of Notre Dame’s highest profile recruits in this year’s class, Daelin Hayes is a recruit to be very excited about. He is already on campus along with the four other early enrollees and if he can get and stay healthy – he had multiple shoulder injuries in high school – the sky is the limit for Hayes. What fans should be the most excited for with Hayes is his ability as a pass rusher. If you’ve notice a trend in these defensive writeups, it’s the constant mention of Notre Dame needing pass rushers. Hayes is a dynamic pass rusher and could eventually grow into a defensive end at some point in his career. He will start off at linebacker, however. Hayes was a one-time USC commitment, but visited Notre Dame in the fall and ended up selecting the Irish before Christmas. He also is another recruit with one heck of a commitment video.

Immediate Role: Health could be the only thing preventing Hayes from having a role in the 2016 Notre Dame defense. If he’s healthy and stays healthy, it would be surprising if he didn’t play as a true freshman. While he might not be able to secure the open WILL position, a reserve role of sorts or a primary role on special teams at the least should be in store for Hayes.

Long-Term Role: Hayes could be the next great Notre Dame linebacker – assuming he stays at linebacker. He has that kind of potential. Now the injury history could raise some red flags and there is the risk he could be a tweener but all that said, there is a strong likelihood that we will be talking about Hayes a multiple year starter for the Irish in a few years and potentially a dominating one at that.

Measureables:

Height: 6-4
Weight: 250 lbs
Hometown/School: Ann Arbor, MI

Competition: Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Michigan State, USC, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Penn State, UCLA

Ratings/Rankings:

Composite (247): 4-star / #10 OLB / #132 Overall
247 Sports:
ESPN: 4-star / #15 ATH / #227 Overall
Rivals: 5-star / #7 OLB / #31 Overall
Scout: 4-star / #12 OLB / #240 Overall

Khalid Kareem – SDE

Summary: Notre Dame fans have forgotten a bit about Khalid Kareem because he’s been committed for a little while and is already enrolled. They shouldn’t. Kareem was at one time committed to Alabama before switching his pledge to Notre Dame and then enrolling in January. He comes in as a consensus 4-star prospect who long-term projects as a SDE in the Isaac Rochell mold. Like Rochell he isn’t a dynamic pass rusher at this point in his career and possess the frame to one day be able to play inside if needed as Rochell did at times this year.

Immediate Role: As an early enrollee, UHND tabbed Kareem as one of the potential instant impact recruits for Notre Dame this fall. A starting role isn’t likely, but a reserve role could be in the cards.

Long-Term Role: Kareem is another likely multiple year starter for Notre Dame at defensive end. In fact, it wouldn’t be surprising if he was able to take over Rochell’s SDE position in 2017 with Rochell running out of eligibility following the 2016 season.

Measureables:

Height: 6-4
Weight: 260
Hometown/School: Farmington, MI

Competition: Alabama, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Oregon, Stanford, Wisconsin

Ratings/Rankings:

Composite (247): 4-star / #9 SDE / #189 Overall
247 Sports:
ESPN: 4-star / #18 DE / #124 Overall
Rivals: 4-star / #17 SDE / #237 Overall
Scout: 4-star / #34 DE / #282 Overall

Devin Studstill – S

Summary: Another of the five early enrollees in the class of 2016 and another of Autry Denson’s Florida prospects. Studstill is the highest rated defensive back in this year’s class and brings with him a lot of versatility as well. Studstill is already on campus as an early enrollee. He played high school football with rising sophomore Tevon Coney. Studstill was one of the first defensive backs to be offered by Notre Dame in this recruiting cycle and was atop the Notre Dame recruiting board for a long time before he finally committed to the Irish back in December.

Immediate Role: Freshman contributions from defensive backs have been rare under Brian Kelly, but given the depth at safety, at least one freshman looks likely to play this fall and it very well could be Studstill as an early enrollee. He’ll need to bulk up a bit in order to do so, but he could play as a true freshman.

Long-Term Role: If he doesn’t play this fall, he will still have a very bright future a head of him. Defensive backs are always tough to predict since there is a much higher “bust” rate in the secondary, but he has all of the tools to be a starter in the secondary for years to come.

Measureables:

Height: 6-1
Weight: 180
Hometown/School: Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Competition: Texas, West Virginia, Miami, and North Carolina

Ratings/Rankings:

Composite (247): 3-star / #30 S / #480 Overall
247 Sports:
ESPN: 3-star / #58 S
Rivals: 3-star / #45 ATH
Scout: 3-star / #34 S

Spencer Perry – S

Summary: High school teammate of fellow incoming freshman running back Tony Jones, Spencer Perry is an early enrollee in the secondary for the Irish. While he’s entering in the secondary though, he could end up growing into a SAM linebacker before all is said done. Currently weighing around 200 lbs, Perry could easily pack on enough weight to either play SAM full-time or play a hybrid role similar to what Drue Tranquill was expected to play in 2015 before his ACL injury. Perry was at one time committed to Florida before he joined the Irish class over the summer prior to his senior season.

Immediate Role: Perry has the build of a player made to play special teams as a freshman. His final position at Notre Dame might be in the air, but a role on special teams – especially as an early enrollee seems like a good bet.

Long-Term Role: It will be fun to watch Perry throughout his career at Notre Dame. Starting off in the secondary could hone Perry’s cover skills that he would need at the SAM position as well while he bulks up.

Measureables:

Height: 6-3
Weight: 200
Hometown/School: Bradenton, FL – IMG Academy

Competition: Florida, Auburn, Clemson, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State

Ratings/Rankings:

Composite (247): 3-star / #33 S / #528 Overall
247 Sports:
ESPN: 4-star / #32 S
Rivals: 3-star / #44 S
Scout: 3-star / #29 S

Donte Vaughn – DB

Summary: Another member of the secondary haul Notre Dame is set to sign on Wednesday, Vaughn is yet another versatile athlete who could play a few positions for the Irish. In an ideal world, Vaughn’s size would be utilized as a corner but given Brian Vangorder’s tendency to play man coverage, Vaughn might end up playing one of the safety positions. Regardless, Vaughn is a prospect to be excited about with the size he is bringing in.

Immediate Role: While it could take some time for the Irish coaches to figure out exactly where he best fits into the defense, we tabbed him as a potential instant impact recruit primarily because of his size. Even if he doesn’t play in the secondary as a frosh, his size could be utilized in coverage units.

Long-Term Role: Long term Vaughn’s impact will depend on what position he sticks at and how Brian Vangorder intends on using him. If he continues to bring a lot of pressure and have his corners play on an island, Vaughn might be a tall, lanky safety.

Measureables:

Height: 6-3
Weight: 190
Hometown/School: Memphis, TN

Competition: Auburn, LSU, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M

Ratings/Rankings:

Composite (247): 4-star / #31 CB / #308 Overall
247 Sports: 3-star / #31 CB / #350 Overall
ESPN: 4-star / #19 S / #299 Overall
Rivals: 4-star / #20 S
Scout: 4-star / #15 S / #245 Overall

Troy Pride – CB

Summary: Troy Pride was one of the highest risers in the entire class of 2016 moving from the bottom of 247 Sports’s Top 247 list all the way up to #95 in their final rankings. Notre Dame coaches accepted a commitment from Pride while Damar Hamlin was still deciding and had the Irish near the top of his list. Hamlin was considered to be the higher rated recruit by the experts, but the Irish coaching staff thought highly enough of Pride to accept the commitment and lose out on Hamlin. On top of his rise in the rankings, it’s impossible to not love Pride’s name and all of the potential it has to cause angst for USC fans. Pride was committed to Virginia Tech at one point prior to Frank Beamer’s retirement announcement.

Immediate Role: Pride most likely won’t have a prominent role in the Irish defense next fall and could be a redshirt candidate.

Long-Term Role: Of all the corners in this class, Pride might have the highest ceiling of the bunch.

Measureables:

Height: 6-0
Weight: 175
Hometown/School: Greer, SC

Competition: Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, Ole Miss, NC State, Tennessee

Ratings/Rankings:

Composite (247): 4-star / #23 CB / #241 Overall
247 Sports: 4-star / #7 CB / #95 Overall
ESPN: 3-star / #91 CB
Rivals: 4-star / #23 CB
Scout: 4-star / #16 CB / #176 Overall

Jalen Elliot – DB

Summary: One of the most versatile athletes in Notre Dame’s class of 2016, Elliot actually played quarterback primarily in high school. Most felt Elliot was a lock for Virginia Tech given both of his parents attended Tech, but he fell in love with Notre Dame and jumped on an offer from the Irish. Elliot will transition to the defensive side of the ball for Notre Dame and could play either corner or safety depending on how much weight he packs on. With his height and athleticism, he could be a very intriguing corner prospect. Given his transition to defense we really won’t know what Notre Dame has here for a little while, but his development will be fun to follow.

Immediate Role: Since Elliot played QB in high school and will be transitioning to defense, a redshirt season in 2016 seems like a distinct possibility.

Long-Term Role: Elliot’s long-term prospects will be dependent upon how well he is able to transition to the defensive side of the ball. He’s got the skillset for it, but will need time to develop into a defensive back. If he does, Notre Dame could have a real steal on its hands here.

Measureables:

Height: 6-1
Weight: 175
Hometown/School: Chesterfield, VA

Competition: Auburn, Georgia, Virginia Tech, Virginia

Ratings/Rankings:

Composite (247): 3-star / #26 ATH / #469 Overall
247 Sports: 3-star / #29 ATH / #431 Overall
ESPN: 3-star / #46 ATH
Rivals: 4-star / #15 S
Scout: 3-star / #13 WR / #94 Overall

DJ Morgan – S

Summary: Morgan comes to Notre Dame with a lot of size in the defensive back and like classmate Spencer Perry, he could end up either growing into a full-time linebacker of playing a hybrid role at some point. If you haven’t noticed by now, Notre Dame realized it needed to restock the secondary and they went out and got a lot of versatile athletes who could play multiple roles and help out in a number of ways. Morgan is no different. Morgan originally committed to Arizona State before selecting the Irish and sticking with Notre Dame.

Immediate Role: Because of his size and physicality, Morgan could be an early playing time candidate at safety given Notre Dame’s need for depth.

Long-Term Role: Like Perry, it’s tough to project Morgan’s long term role or potential because so much is contingent on how much more he grows. He could stick at safety and a be a big, hard hitting safety Notre Dame hasn’t had in a while, he could be a hybrid safety/backer like Tranquill, or he could bulk up and challenge for the SAM position in a few years.

Measureables:

Height: 6-3
Weight: 205
Hometown/School: Bellflower, CA

Competition: Arizona State, Cal, Colorado, Nebraska, Northwestern

Ratings/Rankings:

Composite (247): 3-star / #29 S / #479 Overall
247 Sports: 3-star / #45 S / #608
ESPN: 3-star / #34 S
Rivals: 4-star / #23 S
Scout: 3-star / #58 S

Adetokunbo Ogundeji – WDE

Summary: Ogundeji was an under the radar recruit before Notre Dame offered him and stayed one after injuries cut short his senior season. He is very much a stereotypical Brian Kelly 3-star potential find that we’ve come to see most years since he has taken over the Notre Dame program. Originally committed to Western Michigan, he received a Notre Dame offer over the summer and jumped on it pretty quickly. Ogendeji is a very raw prospect with potentially a low floor but a heigh ceiling.

Immediate Role: Anything other than a redshirt season in 2016 would be a surprise.

Long-Term Role: It will take some time for Ogundeji to develop, but if he grows into his frame he has the potential to be a pass rushing weakside defensive end for the Fighting Irish a couple years down the line.

Measureables:

Height: 6-5
Weight: 225
Hometown/School: Walled Lake, MI

Competition: Cal, Pitt, Rutgers, Western Michigan

Ratings/Rankings:

Composite (247): 3-star / #42 WDE / #650 Overall
247 Sports: 3-star / #40 WDE / #573 Overall
ESPN: 3-star / #63
Rivals: 3-star
Scout: 3-star / #100 DE

Jamir Jones – OLB/DE

Summary: Another recruit in the class of 2016 with a brother who either played for or still plays for Notre Dame. Jamir Jones, brother of nose tackle Jarron Jones, will get a chance to play with his brother for a season thanks in part to the elder Jones’s injury this past season. Like his older brother, Jamir Jones looks destined for the defensive line with his frame, but played linebacker in high school and could start off his career as an outside backer. Jones played in the Semper-Fi All-American Bowl along with his potential linemate Khalid Kareem.

Immediate Role: A special teams role could be in the cards for Jones next year, but outside of that, he will need time to settle into a position before he has a large role on defense.

Long-Term Role: If Jones lands on the defensive line, he’ll need a season or two to bulk up and adjust, but he showed promise as a pass rusher during his senior season and could develop into a good player for Notre Dame.

Measureables: