Here are tonight's charms...
*** Lathan Ransom is officially off the board. As expected, the four-star Salpointe Catholic (Ariz.) safety gave Ohio State a verbal commitment on Tuesday afternoon. Notre Dame continued to work on Ransom in the weeks leading up to his decision, but he already had his mind made up. At this point, I don’t see Notre Dame making any headway later in the cycle. So what’s next at the position?
*** It’s no secret that Notre Dame wants a ‘true’ safety this cycle. Malcolm Greene remains a top of the board guy, but the Irish need to get him on campus for an official visit this fall. RJ Moten is another priority, but he is making a decision this month and appears Michigan bound. As our Mike Singer reported, Notre Dame is still working on Georgia commit Justin Robinson, so keep an eye on him. Episcopal’s (Va.) Elijah Gaines may be an option as well.
*** Four-star Lufkin (Texas) safety Jerrin Thompson seems like a safe play. Thompson was originally scheduled to make an official visit on June 21, and he likely would have jumped onboard following the trip. Notre Dame has been in contact with him in recent weeks, and he is very open to making a trip this fall. With that said, more regional schools are expected to move on Thompson soon.
*** As we’ve reported, Notre Dame remains high on Liberty’s (Calif.) Ramon Henderson. If he does make his way to campus this fall — Henderson is looking to attend the game against Virginia — I would expect him to pull the trigger. Henderson is another project player, but the staff values his track times and potential. Henderson isn’t a true safety per se, but he could fill the role.
*** Notre Dame could opt to just focus on taking the best defensive backs available — the staff still wants two more in the secondary. Irish commits Caleb Offord and Clarence Lewis both bring safety versatility. Meanwhile, it appears Notre Dame is going to make a move with Oklahoma cornerback commit Ryan Watts, who could also play safety at the next level. The Colony’s (Texas) Christian Gonzalez is being recruited at corner, but he has safety experience, and a lot of schools liked him at the position.
*** Lathan Ransom is officially off the board. As expected, the four-star Salpointe Catholic (Ariz.) safety gave Ohio State a verbal commitment on Tuesday afternoon. Notre Dame continued to work on Ransom in the weeks leading up to his decision, but he already had his mind made up. At this point, I don’t see Notre Dame making any headway later in the cycle. So what’s next at the position?
*** It’s no secret that Notre Dame wants a ‘true’ safety this cycle. Malcolm Greene remains a top of the board guy, but the Irish need to get him on campus for an official visit this fall. RJ Moten is another priority, but he is making a decision this month and appears Michigan bound. As our Mike Singer reported, Notre Dame is still working on Georgia commit Justin Robinson, so keep an eye on him. Episcopal’s (Va.) Elijah Gaines may be an option as well.
*** Four-star Lufkin (Texas) safety Jerrin Thompson seems like a safe play. Thompson was originally scheduled to make an official visit on June 21, and he likely would have jumped onboard following the trip. Notre Dame has been in contact with him in recent weeks, and he is very open to making a trip this fall. With that said, more regional schools are expected to move on Thompson soon.
*** As we’ve reported, Notre Dame remains high on Liberty’s (Calif.) Ramon Henderson. If he does make his way to campus this fall — Henderson is looking to attend the game against Virginia — I would expect him to pull the trigger. Henderson is another project player, but the staff values his track times and potential. Henderson isn’t a true safety per se, but he could fill the role.
*** Notre Dame could opt to just focus on taking the best defensive backs available — the staff still wants two more in the secondary. Irish commits Caleb Offord and Clarence Lewis both bring safety versatility. Meanwhile, it appears Notre Dame is going to make a move with Oklahoma cornerback commit Ryan Watts, who could also play safety at the next level. The Colony’s (Texas) Christian Gonzalez is being recruited at corner, but he has safety experience, and a lot of schools liked him at the position.
