BREAKING: Notre Dame Recruiting Adds 4-Star Linebacker Jack Lamb

The Notre Dame recruiting train is full steam ahead this week.  After picking up commitments earlier in the week from Jahmir Smith and Shayne Simon, the Irish added another big time talent to the class of 2018 Thursday night with the commitment of Jack Lamb.  The 4-star linebacker from California picked Notre Dame over his other finalist UCLA.

Lamb had been reportedly favoring UCLA up until very recently.  Like yesterday recently.  When he announced on Wednesday that he would be making his decision today, however, all signs started pointing to Notre Dame.  Perhaps with the addition of Simon earlier in the week Notre Dame told him there was only one more spot left for a linebacker in this year’s class.

Whatever the reason, it’s great news for Notre Dame.  Lamb is a composite 4-star linebacker and the #154 overall prospect in the country according to the 247 Sports Composite rankings.  Both Rivals and Scout have him in the top 100 overall at #97.

In addition to Notre Dame and UCLA, Lamb held offers from Penn State, Oregon, Oklahoma, Arizona State, and Washington among other schools.  On top of overcoming the Bruins, Notre Dame also had to fend out family ties to Penn State.  Both of Lamb’s parents graduated from Penn State.

At 6’4″, 220 lbs already, Lamb projects as a MIKE in Notre Dame’s defense and pretty darn good one at that.  With his size, Lamb could potentially grow into a DROP end at some point as well.  At the very least, he could see spot action there as a pass rusher.

Lamb’s commitment gives Notre Dame four highly rated linebackers in the class of 2018 and 15 overall commitments.  Lamb joins Shayne Simon, Bo Bauer, and Ovie Oghoufo.  Simon is destined for the ROVER position, Oghoufo the BUCK, and Lamb and Bauer at MIKE.  Notre Dame now also has seven commitments in the front seven.

Lamb’s commitment should be the end of linebacker recruiting for Notre Dame 2018.  If it is, Notre Dame could hardly have hoped to do any better.  This quartet of linebackers ranks as the best set of linebackers in a single class for Notre Dame in the 20 years UHND has been on the internet.

On top of adding to the defensive line, Notre Dame can now focus its attention on the secondary where they have just one commitment – safety Derrik Allen.  Notre Dame is hoping to add three corners in this class so the Irish have plenty of work to do there.  Any corner looking for a team with a strong front seven class though would be wise to give Notre Dame a long look.  One way to make a cornerback look good is to have a front seven that gets to the quarterback.

Kevin Austin Next?

Notre Dame might not have to wait too long to add its next member to the class.  Four star wide receiver Kevin Austin is announcing his college decision on August 11 and Notre Dame is thought to be the clear leader at this time.  The Irish only have one wide receiver committed so far in Micah Jones but will likely sign at least three.