Notre Dame’s recruiting hot streak continued this weekend and extended into the class of 2019. Jacob Lacey, a 4-star interior defensive lineman in the class of 2019, joined the part on Saturday by announcing his commitment to Notre Dame. Lacey selected the Irish over other finalists Clemson, Michigan, Michigan State, Louisville, and Tennessee.
Lacey is already listed at 6’2″, 300 lbs heading into his junior season at SOuth Warren High School in Bowling Green, Kentucky. In addition to his finalists, he already held and offer from Penn State and had gotten interest from Ohio State and Stanford.
While the timing may have been a bit surprising, Lacey committing to Notre Dame should not be. Last month he made his 5th visit to Notre Dame in a year.
Both Rivals and 247 Sports have Lacey ranked as a 4-star commitment with neither service having official rankings for the class of 2019 just yet. Lacey figures to be a top 100 type recruit from both services when they do release them.
For Notre Dame, it is beyond huge for them to secure a commitment from an elite interior lineman this early in the process. And they have done it two years in a row now with Lacey following the path of Jayson and Justin Ademilola who committed to Notre Dame during the summer of before their junior seasons as well.
Lacey projects to be a nose tackle for the Irish and given his current size, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he was 310-320 lbs by the time he eventually reports to Notre Dame two years from now. With Lacey on board for 2019, the Irish will have added true nose tackles in back to back classes with Ja’Mion Franklin committed for 2018.
Mike Elston deserves some credit for this one as he was Lacey’s primary recruiter and has the Notre Dame recruiting machine humming right now as its coordinator.
Notre Dame now has two commitments in the class of 2019. Lacey joins quarterback Cade McNamara who set off this wild recruiting streak for Notre Dame over a week ago. Since McNamara’s commitment, Notre Dame added 3-star running back Jahmir Smith on Sunday, 4-star ROVER Shayne Simon on Tuesday, and then 4-star ILB Jack Lamb on Thursday. With 4-star WR Kevin Austin announcing on August 11, more good news could be coming for Notre Dame as well.
Jacob Lacey Sophomore Highlights
Jacob Lacey! There’s a name Irish fans will be hearing often in the coming years!!!
Love the fact ND is finally grabbing some talent out of the great state of Kentucky as well.
Great to have you on board Jacob! Go Irish!!!