I was fortunate enough to catch an hour of Notre Dame three-star defensive end commit Ade Ogundeji's practice on Tuesday, and I was more than impressed with what I saw.
Ogunedgi wasn't in pads, and the session I watched primarily focused on offense, but it was obvious – even from a distance – why Notre Dame wants him. Ogunedgi is every part of his 6-5, 220-pound listing and he has a frame that will add 40 or 50 pounds with ease. He's got long arms, quick feet, and the potential to have some quick hands once he starts working with defensive line coach Keith Gilmore.
His coach told me that the Michigan State coaching staff compared him to current Spartan rush end Shilique Calhoun, and while that might appear to be a bit stretch, you can see where the connections between the two are being made. Calhoun was 6-5, 225 pounds coming out of high school and primary a basketball player. Ogundeji is virtually the same size, and plays hoops, as well.
I asked why Michigan State appeared to never be much of a factor in Ogundeji's recruitment, and I was told that the Spartans actually were. They courted Ogundeji early in the process, but once they secured a commitment from Josh King, they told him they likely weren't going to have room in the class. That's where Pittsburgh and Patt Narduzzi entered the picture. Mark Dantonio called Narduzzi to let him know that Ogundeji was a top talent they needed to take, and the Panthers put on the press. The only problem was Gilmore and the Irish beat them to the punch.
Ogundeji says he's more than solid on his pledge to the Irish, but that hasn't stopped other schools from calling since he committed in July. He said Tennessee and Michigan have both reached out him – and noted that the Vols continue to try and gain some ground – but he isn't going anywhere, because he loves Notre Dame and the academics.
I thought before Tuesday, that Ogundeji was going to be a player that needed two years to develop before he can make an impact on the field. I still think that's the case, but I see way more upside with Ogundeji than I did on film, and at the end of the day, I just think he's a fit at Notre Dame with what the Irish want to do on defense and with the type of student athlete they are looking to bring into the program.
Ogunedgi wasn't in pads, and the session I watched primarily focused on offense, but it was obvious – even from a distance – why Notre Dame wants him. Ogunedgi is every part of his 6-5, 220-pound listing and he has a frame that will add 40 or 50 pounds with ease. He's got long arms, quick feet, and the potential to have some quick hands once he starts working with defensive line coach Keith Gilmore.
His coach told me that the Michigan State coaching staff compared him to current Spartan rush end Shilique Calhoun, and while that might appear to be a bit stretch, you can see where the connections between the two are being made. Calhoun was 6-5, 225 pounds coming out of high school and primary a basketball player. Ogundeji is virtually the same size, and plays hoops, as well.
I asked why Michigan State appeared to never be much of a factor in Ogundeji's recruitment, and I was told that the Spartans actually were. They courted Ogundeji early in the process, but once they secured a commitment from Josh King, they told him they likely weren't going to have room in the class. That's where Pittsburgh and Patt Narduzzi entered the picture. Mark Dantonio called Narduzzi to let him know that Ogundeji was a top talent they needed to take, and the Panthers put on the press. The only problem was Gilmore and the Irish beat them to the punch.
Ogundeji says he's more than solid on his pledge to the Irish, but that hasn't stopped other schools from calling since he committed in July. He said Tennessee and Michigan have both reached out him – and noted that the Vols continue to try and gain some ground – but he isn't going anywhere, because he loves Notre Dame and the academics.
I thought before Tuesday, that Ogundeji was going to be a player that needed two years to develop before he can make an impact on the field. I still think that's the case, but I see way more upside with Ogundeji than I did on film, and at the end of the day, I just think he's a fit at Notre Dame with what the Irish want to do on defense and with the type of student athlete they are looking to bring into the program.
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