Here are thoughts from the first session of the Under Armour Future 50 Camp from Saturday morning. It was more of drill work and some one-on-one competition, while the second session tonight showcases a 7v7 tournament and big man challenge.
*** This was my first time seeing Groton (Mass.) Lawrence Academy class of 2022 offensive tackle and Notre Dame commit Ty Chan, and I was impressed by him. He told me recently that he’s 6-6, 305 pounds, and he looked every bit of it. I’m so excited that I saw him just so I could get some new pictures of him! Gone are using the same picture of him from 18 months ago at about 260 pounds. He is a much bigger, more physical offensive lineman, and it showed today.
*** He is still a work in progress, and that is certainly a good thing. Notre Dame offensive line coach Jeff Quinn would rather have a ball of clay to mold how he wants than train a guy with a lot of bad habits. I saw four of his one-on-one reps, and he was playing guard in them, which I thought was interesting. He got smoked twice against five-star defensive tackle Walter Nolen, who is an absolute freak, and then beat Alabama four-star defensive tackle pledge Jaheim Otis on two reps. I’ve been thinking of Chan as a tackle prospect all the way, and I still do, but he showed me today that he could play guard too.
*** The quarterbacks didn’t do all that much this morning. Irish quarterback pledge Steve Angeli was one of four passers there along with South Carolina pledge Braden Davis, Florida State commit AJ Duffy and five-star LSU commit Walker Howard. All looked pretty good, but I haven’t been as impressed the last couple of times I’ve seen Davis. Notre Dame looked at him, but passing on him was a good choice, in my opinion. His throwing motion is terrible.
*** This is my third time seeing Angeli in person, and he was solid as ever. The quarterbacks went through the “QB Accuracy Challenge” where they had to hit a stationary dummies (see video below). It’s a difficult drill and to be honest, I think it’s dumb. How often are quarterbacks hitting a stationary target? Anyways, Angeli won the challenge, which he was proud of. He continues to impress with his mechanics, ease of throwing the football, size and intangibles. I can’t wait to see him throw tonight in the 7v7 tournament.
*** Hilton Head (S.C.) High class of 2022 linebacker Jaylen Sneed was his impressive self today. He weighed in at 6-2, 210 pounds, but he is just so long that he looks so much taller. I don’t have measurements on his wingspan with me right now, but his arms are so long. Ohio State five-star linebacker commits CJ Hicks and Gabe Powers were also there, but Hicks seems more like a safety to me, and Powers moves more like a defensive end. To me, Sneed is a perfect combo of both. He runs like a safety and has the ball skills of one, but he also has the strength of a rush end. Notre Dame would love to have Sneed, who visits on Monday for his official, in its 2022 class.
Some quick notes...
*** This was my first time seeing Groton (Mass.) Lawrence Academy class of 2022 offensive tackle and Notre Dame commit Ty Chan, and I was impressed by him. He told me recently that he’s 6-6, 305 pounds, and he looked every bit of it. I’m so excited that I saw him just so I could get some new pictures of him! Gone are using the same picture of him from 18 months ago at about 260 pounds. He is a much bigger, more physical offensive lineman, and it showed today.
*** He is still a work in progress, and that is certainly a good thing. Notre Dame offensive line coach Jeff Quinn would rather have a ball of clay to mold how he wants than train a guy with a lot of bad habits. I saw four of his one-on-one reps, and he was playing guard in them, which I thought was interesting. He got smoked twice against five-star defensive tackle Walter Nolen, who is an absolute freak, and then beat Alabama four-star defensive tackle pledge Jaheim Otis on two reps. I’ve been thinking of Chan as a tackle prospect all the way, and I still do, but he showed me today that he could play guard too.
*** The quarterbacks didn’t do all that much this morning. Irish quarterback pledge Steve Angeli was one of four passers there along with South Carolina pledge Braden Davis, Florida State commit AJ Duffy and five-star LSU commit Walker Howard. All looked pretty good, but I haven’t been as impressed the last couple of times I’ve seen Davis. Notre Dame looked at him, but passing on him was a good choice, in my opinion. His throwing motion is terrible.
*** This is my third time seeing Angeli in person, and he was solid as ever. The quarterbacks went through the “QB Accuracy Challenge” where they had to hit a stationary dummies (see video below). It’s a difficult drill and to be honest, I think it’s dumb. How often are quarterbacks hitting a stationary target? Anyways, Angeli won the challenge, which he was proud of. He continues to impress with his mechanics, ease of throwing the football, size and intangibles. I can’t wait to see him throw tonight in the 7v7 tournament.
*** Hilton Head (S.C.) High class of 2022 linebacker Jaylen Sneed was his impressive self today. He weighed in at 6-2, 210 pounds, but he is just so long that he looks so much taller. I don’t have measurements on his wingspan with me right now, but his arms are so long. Ohio State five-star linebacker commits CJ Hicks and Gabe Powers were also there, but Hicks seems more like a safety to me, and Powers moves more like a defensive end. To me, Sneed is a perfect combo of both. He runs like a safety and has the ball skills of one, but he also has the strength of a rush end. Notre Dame would love to have Sneed, who visits on Monday for his official, in its 2022 class.
Some quick notes...
- Penn State offensive tackle pledge Drew Shelton told me that he’s talking with Jeff Quinn about potentially taking an official visit to South Bend. If that happens, then watch out for the Irish here. I would be surprised if he does set up a visit though.
- Las Vegas Bishop Gorman wide receiver Zachariah Branch, a class of 2023 target for the Irish, ran a blazing fast 40-yard dash. Only a few players ran one, and Branch ran in the 4.4 range. He’s a darn good prospect and is excited about Notre Dame.
- Angeli had really good chemistry with Penn State receiver commit Kaden Saunders, and they were on the same 7v7 team tonight. Angeli would love to have Saunders flip to the Irish, but I’m told Saunders shut his recruitment down and is solid with the Nittany Lions. There are still six months until signing day though. What if Penn State’s receiver coach leaves? I’ve learned that when it comes to recruiting, it’s unwise to rule things out.
- Four-star class of 2023 cornerback Ethan Nation visits Notre Dame June 21, and he was solid this morning. He struggled some in 1v1s but the receivers were very impressive. Nation held his own.
