The recruiting momentum is not stopping for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. On Wednesday, the Irish landed a commitment from another 4 Star D-lineman. How does the old saying go? When you’re hot, you’re hot. Well I’m here to tell you that the Notre Dame coaching staff is hot, and after today’s commitment of 4 star D tackle Aidan Keanaaina they are getting hotter.
COMMITED 100% TO THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME ➡️ #IRISHBOUNDXX ☘️ #WeAreND ???? ? #GoIrish THANK YOU @CoachBrianKelly @CoachMikeElston @Coach_Lea @ToddLyght @StaceyKeanaaina @MullenMustang @SixZeroAcademy @adamgorney @TomLoy247 @KevinSinclair_ @LemmingReport @NDFootball ☘️ pic.twitter.com/9o0odEGdmF
— AIDAN IKAIKA KEANAAINA (@AidanAkfootball) February 13, 2019
2020 four-star DT Aidan Keanaaina commits to #NotreDame with a flag reveal. https://t.co/hJZsthFh7h pic.twitter.com/mpP4ixDK7z
— Matt Freeman (@mattfreemanISD) February 13, 2019
This commitment comes nearly a week after the Irish landed Isaiah Foskey, 4 star D-end out of De La Salle high school.
Many believe Keanaaina had his decision made a while ago, but until today he had Florida, Ohio State as well as Colorado State in contention. Keanaaina’s father played tight end at Colorado State.
The Nickname “ The Big Kahuna” should tell you everything about Aidan Keanaaina.
Aidan Keanaaina (@AidanAkfootball) becomes the fifth 2020 recruit to verbally commit to #NotreDame. He already has an awesome nickname — The Big Kahuna. https://t.co/CVOimmXf18
— Carter Karels (@CarterKarels) February 13, 2019
Hailing from Denver’s storied Mullen High School, Notre Dame’s fifth commitment of the 2020 class is nearly 300 lbs as a high school junior. He’s not quite at 300 lbs yet, but I don’t think anyone is unimpressed by Keanaaina’s 6’3 285 LB frame. And if that doesn’t get you excited then maybe his Junior year Stat line will.
77 tackles, 11 TFL, 4 Sacks, 3 Forced Fumbles, 1 INt
That line was good enough to earn Keanaaina a selection for Colorado 5A first team all-state as well as well as an All-USA Today Colorado first team selection.
Aidan Keanaaina will join fellow 2019 ND commit Alexander Ehrensberger on the Defensive Line, and it would seem ND isn’t done adding to the defensive line with about 20 more offers out to Defensive line recruits.
Defensive line has seemed to be a priority for Notre Dame especially DT where ND has taken a DT commitment each of the last four years ( Darnell Ewel’17, Jayson Ademilola’18, Jacob Lacey’19, Hunter Spears’19).
It’s time to let ND fans in on a little secret. Mike Elston, Irish D-line Coach, is putting on a recruiting clinic.
From all information gathered it seems that the relationship Elston built with Keanaaina is the #1 reason Notre Dame landed his commitment as the recruit cited repeatedly that Elston made him feel like a priority as well as showing him how he could fit in South Bend.
Keanaaina seemed to have built good relationships with a few different recruiters especially Tony Alford, Ohio State RB Coach, but felt more comfortable going with a coach he knew he’d be working with everyday.
In the past week Elston landed 4 star California recruit Isaiah Foskey, been named a Rival’s top 25 recruiter in 2019, and now landed Keanaaina. That guy in particular is hot right now.
Notre Dame’s reboot from the miserable 2016 season continues to be a sight to see, and it all goes back to hiring the right people when they needed to. Good assistants are hard to come by in college football, and Brian Kelly has found a few in Elston, Clark Lea, and Brian Polian.
The Irish coaching staff has had their eyes set on this 2020 class for a while, and it seems that they are capitalizing at every opportunity.
6’3″, 285#? I won’t even think about his real name. Ikaika Keenainna? (whatever) At that size, we should all just call him “Sir.”
Mele Kalikimaka Aidan.
NICE GK WELL PUT BROTHER!!!