Feb. 1, 2017 Signing Day Central | Heisler on Signing Day | Coach Kelly Press Conference

NOTRE DAME, Indiana – The University of Notre Dame football roster will increase by 21 student-athletes for the 2017 season.

Sixteen of those individuals today signed national letters of intent–while five others enrolled at the University last month, began taking classes and will take part in Irish spring football drills.

The 21 new additions represent 11 states and the District of Columbia– four from Florida, three from Pennsylvania, two from California, two from Illinois, two from Texas, two from Virginia, one from Connecticut, one from Hawai’i, one from Louisiana, one from Missouri and one from North Carolina.

As listed by position, Notre Dame adds five defensive linemen, four offensive linemen, three linebackers, two wide receivers, two tight ends, two safeties, one kicker, one quarterback and one running back.

Five of the 21 players–offensive lineman Aaron Banks, offensive lineman Robert Hainsey, running back C.J. Holmes, safety Isaiah Robertson and tight end Brock Wright–enrolled at the University in January and are taking classes. They will participate in Notre Dame’s spring football practices that begin March 8. The other 16 players have signed national letters of intent and will arrive on campus by June for the start of summer school.

Among the 21 players who will be freshmen for the Irish this fall are:

• Four who were selected for the Under Armour All-America Game in St. Petersburg, Florida: LB David Adams, QB Avery Davis, OL Robert Hainsey, TE Brock Wright
• Two who were selected for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio: OL Josh Lugg, TE Cole Kmet
• Ten members of the Tom Lemming Top 300: Wright (26), Kmet (72), Hainsey (96), Davis (103), Lugg (126), Aaron Banks (135), Adams (138), Darnell Ewell (170), Dillon Gibbons (215) and C.J. Holmes (243)
• Nine members of the Scout.com Top 300: Wright (76), Adams (88), Lugg (107), Kmet (109), Hainsey (129), Ewell (146), Holmes (155), Banks (163), Davis (189)
• Ten members of the Prepstar Top 350 Dream Team: Wright (57), Hainsey (68), Banks (127), Lugg (129), Davis (139), Ewell (153), Adams (156), Kmet (182), Isaiah Robertson (330) and Holmes (341)
• Eight members of the Rivals.com 250: Wright (44), Kmet (95), Hainsey (108), Banks (121), Ewell (139), Isaiah Robertson (202), Holmes (203) and Lugg (236)
• Nine members of the ESPN 300: Wright (29), Hainsey (31), Kmet (122), Davis (153), Lugg (156), Ewell (179), Adams (218), Banks (278) and Holmes (286)
• Seven members of the 247Sports Top 247: Wright (67), Hainsey (81), Kmet (84), Lugg (121), Ewell (149), Banks (171) and Adams (232)

David Adams
6-1, 222
Linebacker
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Central Catholic High School)

Three-year varsity letterwinner at Central Catholic High School … high school teammate of fellow Notre Dame 2017 signee Kurt Hinish … registered 84 tackles, 5.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and one interception as a senior in 2016 … also rushed for 162 yards and five TDs … led Central Catholic post a 14-2 record and reach the 2016 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Class-AAAAAA state championship game … recorded 76 tackles, 3.5 sacks and one fumble recovery as a junior in 2015 … holds the Central Catholic career record for tackles … helped Central Catholic to a 15-1 mark and 2015 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Class-AAAA state championship … named 2016 American Family Insurance First Team ALL-USA Pennsylvania … named 2016 First Team Pennsylvania Football Writers All-State … one of five finalists for the 2016 Class AAAA through AAAAAA Mr. PA Football Award … 2016 Pennsylvania Football News Class AAAAAA Defensive Player of the Year … named to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fabulous 22 … selected to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Terrific 25 … 2016 All-EPA/WPA All-State Super 25 Class 6A Team … No. 88-ranked overall player and No. 4 inside linebacker by Scout.com … No. 230-ranked overall player and No. 9 inside linebacker by 247Sports.com … No. 218-ranked overall player and No. 9 inside linebacker by ESPN.com … No. 18-ranked inside linebacker by Rivals.com … Pennsylvania’s No. 4-ranked player by Scout.com, No. 7-ranked player by 247Sports, No. 7-ranked player by ESPN and No. 8-ranked player by Rivals … No. 138-ranked overall player and No. 16-ranked linebacker by Tom Lemming’s Prep Football Report … four-star member of the PrepStar Top 300 Dream Team, ranked as the No. 156 player in the class of 2017 and the No. 5 inside linebacker … played for coach Terry Totten at Central Catholic High School … selected to participate in the 2016 Under Armour All-American Game in St. Petersburg, Florida … lead recruiter was recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach Mike Elston.

Jafar Armstrong
Wide Receiver
6-0, 170
Lee’s Summit, Missouri (Bishop Miege High School)

Led Bishop Miege to a 12-1 record as a senior in 2016 … helped Bishop Miege to the 2016 Kansas State High School Activities Association Class 4A DI State Championship (third straight state championship) … set a Kansas high school record for career TD receptions with 45 … caught 172 passes for 3,744 yards in his career … recorded 50 overall career TDs … caught 54 passes for 1,277 yards and 21 TDs in 2016 … averaged 98.2 receiving yards/game and 23.6 yards/reception … recorded seven games with at least 100 yards receiving, including 222 yards on eight grabs in the state title game … registered more than 1,200 yards and 16 TDs as a junior in 2015 … captured 2016 Kansas state titles in the 100-meter (10.83), 200-meter (22.13) and 4×100-meter relay (42.70) … won the 2016 Otis Taylor Award, an honor given to Kansas City’s top high school receiver … named 2016 American Family Insurance First Team ALL-USA Kansas … 2016 Kansas Football Coaches Association Top 11 selection … 2016 Kansas Football Coaches Association First Team Class 4A DI All-State … Kansas City Star 2016 First Team All-Metro … 2016 American Family Insurance Kansas Offensive Player of the Year … 2016 MaxPreps Medium Schools All-American … No. 107 wide receiver by Scout.com … No. 68 wide receiver by 247Sports.com … No. 76 wide receiver by ESPN.com … No. 77 wide receiver by Rivals.com … Kansas’ No. 7-ranked player by Scout.com, No. 3-ranked player by 247Sports, No. 6-ranked player by ESPN and No. 3-ranked player by Rivals … played for coach Jon Holmes at Bishop Miege.

Aaron Banks
6-5, 320
Offensive Line
Alameda, California (El Cerrito High School)

Enrolled at Notre Dame in January 2017 … widely considered the top offensive line prospect in Northern California … paved the way for an El Cerrito offense that averaged 29.4 points/game … helped El Cerrito reach the second round of the 2016 CIF-North Coast Section Division 3 playoffs … named 2016 American Family Insurance First Team ALL-USA California … awarded 2016 MaxPreps First Team All-NorCal … named to the 2016 Mercury News, East Bay Times First Team all-Bay Area Prep squad … awarded 2016 First Team San Francisco Chronicle All-Metro … No. 163-ranked overall player and No. 9 offensive guard by Scout.com … No. 171-ranked overall player and No. 18 offensive tackle by 247Sports.com … No. 278-ranked overall player and No. 28 offensive tackle by ESPN.com … No. 121-ranked overall player and No. 13 offensive tackle by Rivals.com … California’s No. 17-ranked player by Scout.com, No. 20-ranked player by 247Sports, No. 28-ranked player by ESPN and No. 16-ranked player by Rivals … No. 135-ranked overall player and No. 29-ranked offensive lineman by Tom Lemming’s Prep Football Report … four-star member of the PrepStar Top 300 Dream Team, ranked as the No. 127 player in the class of 2017 and the No. 19 offensive tackle … played for coach George Austin at El Cerrito High School … lead recruiter was offensive line coach Harry Hiestand.

Avery Davis
6-0, 192
Quarterback
Cedar Hill, Texas (Cedar Hill High School)

One of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the country … completed 189 of 273 passes for 2,876 yards and 37 TDs as a senior in 2016 despite missing two games with an ankle injury … also carried the ball 84 times for 369 rushing yards and six TDs … threw for 463 yards and four TDs, and ran for 109 yards and two TDs in a 55-41 loss to DeSoto High School in the Texas 6A Division II Regional Championship held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington … one of 10 quarterbacks on Dallas Morning News rating of top 100 area players … one of six quarterbacks named to Waco Tribune-Herald Top 100 … 2016 Texas District 7-6A Offensive Player of the Year … first-team quarterback on Texas District 7-6A squad in 2016 … 2016 Dallas Morning News SportsDayHS All-Area Second Team … ranked as the second-best quarterback in the Dallas area by SportsDayHS … No. 189-ranked overall player and No. 11 quarterback by Scout.com … No. 254-ranked overall player and No. 8 dual-threat quarterback by 247Sports.com … No. 153-ranked overall player and No. 7 dual-threat quarterback by ESPN.com … No. 19 dual-threat quarterback by Rivals.com … Texas’ No. 34-ranked player by Scout.com, No. 43-ranked player by 247Sports, No. 27-ranked player by ESPN and No. 80-ranked player by Rivals … No. 103-ranked overall player and No. 14-ranked quarterback by Tom Lemming’s Prep Football Report … four-star member of the PrepStar Top 300 Dream Team, ranked as the No. 139 player in the class of 2017 and the No. 8 dual-threat quarterback … played for coach Joey McGuire at Cedar Hill High School … selected to participate in the 2016 Under Armour All-American Game in St. Petersburg, Florida … chosen to represent the U.S. National Team against Team Canada at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida.

Jonathan Doerer
Kicker
6-3, 188
Charlotte, North Carolina (South Mecklenburg High School)

Connected on nine of 16 field goals with a long of 44 yards as a senior in 2016 … registered a touchback on 92 percent of his kickoffs … No. 6 kicker by Scout.com … No. 17 kicker by 247Sports.com … No. 20 kicker by ESPN.com … played for coach Rocky White at South Mecklenburg.

Darnell Ewell
6-4, 280
Defensive Line
Norfolk, Virginia (Lake Taylor High School)

Helped Lake Taylor High School to an 11-2 record as a senior in 2016 … Lake Taylor reached the quarterfinals of the 2016 Virginia High School League 4A State quarterfinals … named 2016 First Team Virginia High School League Group 4A All-State … named to the Roanoke Times Top 25 (No. 15) … named 2016 American Family Insurance First Team ALL-USA Virginia … No. 146-ranked overall player and No. 7 offensive guard by Scout.com … No. 149-ranked overall player and No. 10 defensive tackle by 247Sports.com … No. 179-ranked overall player and No. 14 offensive guard by ESPN.com … No. 139-ranked overall player and No. 9 defensive tackle by Rivals.com … Virginia’s No. 5-ranked player by Scout.com, No. 4-ranked player by 247Sports, No. 4-ranked player by ESPN and No. 6-ranked player by Rivals … No. 170-ranked overall player and No. 8-ranked defensive tackle by Tom Lemming’s Prep Football Report … four-star member of the PrepStar Top 300 Dream Team, ranked as the No. 153 player in the class of 2017 and the No. 8 offensive guard … played for coach Hank Sawyer at Lake Taylor High School … lead recruiter was recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach Mike Elston.

Dillan Gibbons
6-4, 315
Offensive Line
Clearwater, Florida (Clearwater Central Catholic High School)

Notre Dame’s first commitment of the 2017 class … helped Clearwater Central Catholic High School to a 9-2 record as a senior in 2016 … Clearwater Central Catholic reached the regional finals of the 2016 Florida High School Athletic Association Class 3A playoffs … lost regional final to Melbourne Central Catholic, 69-62, in nine overtimes (game was tied, 21-21, at the end of regulation) … named 2016 First Team Florida All-State Class 3A … selected to the 2016 MaxPreps First Team Small Schools All-American Team … one of six offensive tackles named to the Florida Times-Union Super 75 … one of three offensive linemen selected to the Tampa Bay Times HomeTeam 30 (ranked No. 4 overall) … No. 26 offensive guard by Scout.com … No. 377-ranked overall player and No. 38 offensive tackle by 247Sports.com … No. 31 offensive guard by ESPN.com … No. 56 offensive guard by Rivals.com … Florida’s No. 40-ranked player by Scout.com, No. 49-ranked player by 247Sports, No. 73-ranked player by ESPN and No. 74-ranked player by Rivals … No. 215-ranked overall player and No. 37-ranked offensive lineman by Tom Lemming’s Prep Football Report … played for coach Chris Harvey at Clearwater Central Catholic High School … lead recruiter was offensive line coach Harry Hiestand … chosen to represent the U.S. National Team against Team Canada at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida.

Robert Hainsey
6-4, 275
Offensive Line
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (IMG Academy-FL)

Enrolled at Notre Dame in January 2017 … powerful offensive line prospect from Florida powerhouse IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida … helped IMG Academy to a No. 3 final national ranking by MaxPreps Xcellent 25 … IMG Academy finished the season 11-0 and outscored its opponents, 401-104 … named 2016 American Family Insurance First Team ALL-USA Virginia … one of two offensive guards named to the Florida Times-Union Super 75 … No. 129-ranked overall player and No. 14 offensive tackle by Scout.com … No. 81-ranked overall player and No. 5 offensive guard by 247Sports.com … No. 31-ranked overall player and No. 1 offensive guard by ESPN.com … No. 108-ranked overall player and No. 11 offensive tackle by Rivals.com … Florida’s No. 17-ranked player by Scout.com, No. 15-ranked player by 247Sports, No. 7-ranked player by ESPN and No. 21-ranked player by Rivals … No. 96-ranked overall player and No. 18-ranked offensive lineman by Tom Lemming’s Prep Football Report … four-star member of the PrepStar Top 300 Dream Team, ranked as the No. 68 player in the class of 2017 and the No. 4 offensive guard … played for coach Kevin Wright at IMG Academy … lead recruiter was offensive line coach Harry Hiestand … selected to participate in the 2016 Under Armour All-American Game in St. Petersburg, Florida … chosen to participate in the 2016 Nike “The Opening” in Beaverton, Oregon.

Jordan Genmark Heath
Safety
6-2, 200
San Diego, California (Cathedral Catholic High School)

Led Cathedral Catholic to a 15-0 record and 2016 CIF Division IAA State Championship as a senior … helped Cathedral Catholic to a No. 22 final national ranking by MaxPreps Xcellent 25 … Cathedral Catholic outscored its opponents, 595-226 … recorded 59 tackles, five PBU, four interceptions and one forced fumble … ran for 197 yards and nine TDs … caught 16 passes for 291 yards and two TDs … born and raised in Sweden … moved to San Diego with his mother and stepfather when he was 15 … 2016 First Team All-San Diego California Interscholastic Federation … San Diego Union-Tribune 2015 All-Academic Team … No. 41 athlete by Scout.com … No. 39 safety by 247Sports.com … No. 73 athlete by ESPN.com … No. 67 safety by Rivals.com … California’s No. 68-ranked player by Scout.com, No. 54-ranked player by 247Sports, No. 79-ranked player by ESPN and No. 73-ranked player by Rivals … played for coach Sean Doyle at Cathedral Catholic.

Kurt Hinish
Defensive Line
6-2, 280
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Central Catholic High School)

High school teammate of fellow Notre Dame 2017 signee David Adams … led Central Catholic to a 14-2 record and the 2016 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Class-AAAAAA state championship game … registered 27 tackles and 3.0 sacks as a senior in 2016 … helped Central Catholic to a 15-1 mark and 2015 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Class-AAAA state championship … recorded 32 tackles as a junior in 2015 … named 2016 American Family Insurance First Team ALL-USA Pennsylvania … named 2016 First Team Pennsylvania Football Writers All-State … named to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fabulous 22 … selected to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Terrific 25 … No. 28 defensive tackle by Scout.com … No. 41 defensive tackle by 247Sports.com … No. 26 defensive tackle by ESPN.com … No. 38 defensive tackle by Rivals.com … Pennsylvania’s No. 10-ranked player by Scout.com, No. 10-ranked player by 247Sports, No. 8-ranked player by ESPN and No. 11-ranked player by Rivals … played for coach Terry Totten at Central Catholic High School … lead recruiter was recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach Mike Elston.

C.J. Holmes
Running Back
6-0, 200
Hamden, Connecticut (Cheshire Academy)

Enrolled at Notre Dame in January 2017 … led Cheshire Academy to an 8-2 record as a senior in 2016 … Cheshire Academy finished the season with eight consecutive victories, including a win over Greenwich (Conn.) Brunswick in the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council Wayne Sanborn Bowl … named 2016 American Family Insurance First Team ALL-USA Connecticut … named 2016 First Team All-New England Preparatory School Athletic Council … rushed 142 times for 1,169 yards and scored 13 touchdowns as a senior at Cheshire Academy in 2016 … averaged 129.9 rush yards/game and 8.2 rush yards/carry … rushed for at least 100 yards in six of his nine games played … No. 155-ranked overall player and No. 9 athlete by Scout.com … No. 258-ranked overall player and No. 20 running back by 247Sports.com … No. 286-ranked overall player and No. 21 athlete by ESPN.com … No. 203-ranked overall player and No. 5 all-purpose back by Rivals.com … Connecticut’s No. 2-ranked player by Scout.com, 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals … No. 243-ranked overall player and No. 29-ranked defensive back by Tom Lemming’s Prep Football Report … four-star member of the PrepStar Top 350 Dream Team, ranked as the No. 341 player in the class of 2017 and the No. 25 athlete … played for coach David Dykeman at Cheshire Academy … selected to participate in the 2016 Nike “The Opening” in Beaverton, Oregon.

Cole Kmet
Tight End
6-4, 235
Lake Barrington, Illinois (Saint Viator High School)

Named 2016 American Family Insurance Second Team ALL-USA Illinois … named 2016 Second Team Chicago Tribune Preps Plus All-State … 2016 First Team Illinois High School Coaches Association Class 6A All-Illinois … 2016 Pioneer Press All-Area Football First Team … 2016 Daily Herald Northwest all-area team … 2016 First Team News-Gazette All-Illinois … caught 48 passes for 773 yards and four TDs as a senior at Saint Viator in 2016 … averaged 96.6 receiving yards/game and 16.1 yards/reception … added 31 yards rushing and one TD … recorded 32 tackles, five TFL and four sacks … No. 109-ranked overall player and No. 4 tight end by Scout.com … No. 84-ranked overall player and No. 3 tight end by 247Sports.com … No. 83-ranked overall player and No. 3 tight end by ESPN.com … No. 95-ranked overall player and No. 3 tight end by Rivals.com … Illinois’ No. 3-ranked player by Scout.com, No. 3-ranked player by 247Sports, No. 3-ranked player by ESPN and No. 3-ranked player by Rivals … No. 72-ranked overall player and No. 2-ranked tight end by Tom Lemming’s Prep Football Report … four-star member of the PrepStar Top 300 Dream Team, ranked as the No. 182 player in the class of 2017 and the No. 3 tight end … played for coach David Archibald at Saint Viator … played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio.

Josh Lugg
Offensive Line
6-6, 280
Wexford, Pennsylvania (North Allegheny Senior High School)

Led North Allegheny Senior to a 9-3 record as a senior in 2016 … paved the way for a rushing attack that racked up 3,303 yards and 50 TDs … also recorded 18 tackles, four TFL and three sacks … helped the North Allegheny offense average 34.9 points/game … named 2016 American Family Insurance First Team ALL-USA Pennsylvania … named 2016 First Team Pennsylvania Football Writers All-State … 2016 First Team Pennsylvania Football News Class 6A … named to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fabulous 22 … selected to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Terrific 25 … 2016 4-6A Mr. PA Football Lineman of the Year … 2016 First Team Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League Class 6A Northern Seven … 2016 All-EPA/WPA All-State Super 25 Class 6A Team … No. 107-ranked overall player and No. 12 offensive tackle by Scout.com … No. 121-ranked overall player and No. 15 offensive tackle by 247Sports.com … No. 156-ranked overall player and No. 15 offensive tackle by ESPN.com … No. 236-ranked overall player and No. 22 offensive tackle by Rivals.com … Pennsylvania’s No. 5-ranked player by Scout.com, No. 5-ranked player by 247Sports, No. 5-ranked player by ESPN and No. 6-ranked player by Rivals … No. 126-ranked overall player and No. 21-ranked offensive lineman by Tom Lemming’s Prep Football Report … four-star member of the PrepStar Top 300 Dream Team, ranked as the No. 129 player in the class of 2017 and the No. 20 offensive tackle … played for coach Art Walker at North Allegheny Senior … lead recruiter was offensive line coach Harry Hiestand … played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio.

Jonathon MacCollister
Defensive Line
6-3, 244
DeLand, Florida (Bishop Moore High School)

Led Bishop Moore to an 11-2 record as a senior in 2016 … Bishop Moore reached the regional finals of the 2016 Florida High School Athletic Association Class 5A playoffs … was a teammate of current Notre Dame offensive lineman Parker Boudreaux at Bishop Moore … helped Bishop Moore to a 14-1 record and a 2015 Florida Class 5A championship — the school’s first state title since 1970 … registered 42 total tackles, 28 solo stops, seven TFL, five sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 13 games … also caught 21 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns as a tight end … 2016 First Team Associated Press Florida All-State Class 5A … 2016 First Team Orlando Sentinel All-Central Florida … No. 2-ranked player in the Orlando Sentinel’s 2017 Central Florida Super60 … No. 76 offensive tackle by Scout.com … No. 45 strongside defensive end by 247Sports.com … No. 37 defensive end by ESPN.com … Florida’s No. 126-ranked player by Scout.com, No. 130-ranked player by 247Sports and No. 70-ranked player by ESPN … played for coach Matt Hedrick at Bishop Moore … lead recruiter was running backs coach Autry Denson … selected to participate in the inaugural 2016 Florida-Georgia Showdown in DeLand, Florida.

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
Linebacker
6-2, 205
Hampton, Virginia (Bethel High School)

2016 First Team Virginia High School League All-State … No. 83 safety by Scout.com … No. 31 athlete by 247Sports.com … No. 28 safety by ESPN.com … No. 40 safety by Rivals.com … Virginia’s No. 29-ranked player by Scout.com, No. 17-ranked player by 247Sports, No. 15-ranked player by ESPN and No. 18-ranked player by Rivals … played for coach William Beverley at Bethel.

Isaiah Robertson
Safety
6-1, 195
Bolingbrook, Illinois (Neuqua Valley High School)

Enrolled at Notre Dame in January 2017 … led Neuqua Valley to a 8-2 record as a senior in 2016 … helped Neuqua Valley qualify for the 2016 Illinois Class 8A High School Football playoffs … registered 50 tackles, two fumble recoveries and an interception … added 29 receptions for 380 yards and four TDs … limited for part of his senior season in 2016 with a hamstring injury … named 2016 American Family Insurance First Team ALL-USA Illinois … two-time Naperville Sun All-Area First Team … 2016 First Team Chicago Tribune Preps Plus All-State … No. 30 safety by Scout.com … No. 276-ranked overall player and No. 24 safety by 247Sports.com … No. 117 wide receiver by ESPN.com … No. 202-ranked overall player and No. 18 athlete by Rivals.com … Illinois’ No. 6-ranked player by Scout.com, No. 5-ranked player by 247Sports, No. 10-ranked player by ESPN and No. 4-ranked player by Rivals … four-star member of the PrepStar Top 350 Dream Team, ranked as the No. 330 player in the class of 2017 and the No. 48 wide receiver … played for coach Bill Ellinghaus at Neuqua Valley.

Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa
Defensive Line
6-4, 250
Ewa Beach, Hawai’i (Kapolei High School)

Led Kapolei to the semifinals of the 2016 First Hawaiian Bank/Hawaii High School Athletic Association Football State Championships … Kapolei posted a 10-3 record in 2016 … recorded 34 TFLs and 18 sacks as a senior … 2016 Honolulu Star-Advertiser All-State … named 2016 American Family Insurance First Team ALL-USA Hawai’i … 2016 Oahu Interscholastic Association Division I Red Defensive Player of the Year … No. 127 defensive end by Scout.com … No. 18 strongside defensive end by 247Sports.com … No. 45 defensive tackle by ESPN.com … No. 39 defensive tackle by Rivals.com … Hawai’i’s No. 13-ranked player by Scout.com, No. 3-ranked player by 247Sports, No. 3-ranked player by ESPN and No. 4-ranked player by Rivals … played for coach Darren Hernandez at Kapolei … played in the inaugural 2016 Polynesian Bowl.

Kofi Wardlow
Defensive Line
6-3, 210
Washington, District of Columbia (St. John’s College)

Led St. John’s College to an 8-4 record and appearance in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference title game in 2016 … has only played football for two years … joined the St. John’s College football team during his junior year … finished 2016 with 84 tackles, 28.5 TFLs and 9.5 sacks … named 2016 American Family Insurance Second Team ALL-USA Washington D.C. … No. 87 defensive end by Scout.com … No. 56 weakside defensive end by 247Sports.com … No. 82 defensive end by ESPN.com … No. 47 weakside defensive end by Rivals.com … Maryland’s No. 8-ranked player by Scout.com, No. 8-ranked player by 247Sports, No. 11-ranked player by ESPN and No. 7-ranked player by Rivals … played for coach Joe Casamento at St. John’s College.

Drew White
Linebacker
6-1, 220
Boca Raton, Florida (St. Thomas Aquinas School)

Led St. Thomas Aquinas to a 13-2 record and 2016 Florida High School Athletic Association Class 7A State Championship as a senior — St. Thomas has now captured three consecutive state titles … helped St. Thomas Aquinas to a No. 6 final national ranking by MaxPreps Xcellent 25 … St. Thomas Aquinas outscored its opponents, 604-141, and limited its opponents to 9.4 points/game, including five shutouts … led St. Thomas in total tackles (107), solo stops (63), assisted tackles (44) and tackles/game (8.2) … added three PBU, two blocked punts and one fumble recovery … 2016 Second Team Associated Press Florida All-State Class 7A … 2016 South Florida Sun-Sentinel First Team All-Broward County for Classes 8A-7A-6A … named 2016 American Family Insurance First Team ALL-USA Florida … No. 38 inside linebacker by Scout.com … No. 41 inside linebacker by 247Sports.com … No. 17 inside linebacker by ESPN.com … Florida’s No. 66-ranked player by Scout.com, No. 132-ranked player by 247Sports and No. 85-ranked player by ESPN … played for coach Roger Harriott at St. Thomas Aquinas … lead recruiter was running backs coach Autry Denson.

Brock Wright
Tight End
6-5, 245
Cypress, Texas (Cy-Fair High School)

Enrolled at Notre Dame in January 2017 … widely considered the top tight end prospect in the 2017 recruiting class … one of 11 early enrollees listed by Sports Illustrated to possibly earn significant roles as true freshmen … led Cy-Fair to an 8-3 record and appearance in the University Interscholastic League Class 6A Division I playoffs as a senior in 2016 … operated in a run-heavy offense that only completed 135 passes all season … caught 30 passes for 491 yards and four TDs … his 30 receptions were the second-most on the squad … averaged 44.6 receiving yards/game and 16.4 yards/reception … named 2016 American Family Insurance First Team ALL-USA Texas … one of three tight ends, and highest ranked, named to Waco Tribune-Herald Top 100 … 2016 First Team Texas High School Coaches Association Academic All-State … first-team tight end on Texas District 17-6A squad in 2016 … 2016 Cy-Fair Offensive Player of the Year … No. 76-ranked overall player and No. 3 tight end by Scout.com … No. 67-ranked overall player and No. 2 tight end by 247Sports.com … No. 29-ranked overall player and No. 1 tight end by ESPN.com … No. 44-ranked overall player and No. 1 tight end by Rivals.com … Texas’ No. 11-ranked player by Scout.com, No. 9-ranked player by 247Sports, No. 6-ranked player by ESPN and No. 5-ranked player by Rivals … No. 26-ranked overall player and No. 1-ranked tight end by Tom Lemming’s Prep Football Report … five-star member of the PrepStar Top 300 Dream Team, ranked as the No. 57 player in the class of 2017 and the No. 2 tight end … played for coach Ed Pustejovsky at Cy-Fair … lead recruiter was Pat and Jana Eilers Family Defensive Backs Coach Todd Lyght … selected to participate in the 2016 Under Armour All-American Game in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Michael Young Jr.
Wide Receiver
5-10, 170
Saint Rose, Louisiana (Destrehan High School)

Led Destrehan to an 11-1 record as a senior in 2016 … helped Destrehan reach the 2016 Louisiana High School Athletic Association 5A State semifinals … 35 catches for 507 yards and six touchdowns … No. 18-ranked player in the 2017 New Orleans Times-Picayune Nifty 50 … first-team wide receiver on Louisiana District 7-5A squad in 2015 and 2016 … No. 75 wide receiver by Scout.com … No. 69 wide receiver by 247Sports.com … No. 92 wide receiver by ESPN.com … No. 71 wide receiver by Rivals.com … Louisiana’s No. 36-ranked player by Scout.com, No. 18-ranked player by 247Sports, No. 24-ranked player by ESPN and No. 20-ranked player by Rivals … played for coach Stephen Robicheaux at Destrehan … lead recruiter was running backs coach Autry Denson.

— ND —