Feb. 4, 2011

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Three members of the 2011 Notre Dame football team have been named All-Americans by PARADE Magazine.

Kicker Kyle Brindza, tight end Ben Koyack and linebacker Ishaq Williams were three of 53 high school seniors from 22 states selected to the 48th edition of the PARADE All-America Football Team.

Notre Dame was one of four schools (Auburn, Clemson and Ole Miss) to have three recruits named to PARADE’S All-America Team and only one school (USC, five) had more players selected this year.

Brindza set the Michigan state high school record with 19 made field goals as a senior in 2010, including six of nine from at least 50 yards. After averaging 48.2 yards per punt as a junior, Brindza averaged 43.2 yards per punt during his senior campaign and 60 of his 63 kickoffs in 2010 resulted in touchbacks. The Canton, Mich., native graduated from Plymouth High School in December 2010 and is currently enrolled at Notre Dame.

Koyack was named first-team Pennsylvania all-state in 2010 by Associated Press and Pennsylvania Football News/Pennsylvania Coaches after recording 62 receptions for 1,031 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was rated the nation’s top tight end by Scout.com and the 34th-best prospect by Sporting News. A native of Oil City, Pa., Koyack will graduate from Oil City Senior High School this spring and enroll at Notre Dame in June.

Williams was the Gatorade Player of the Year for New York and was named one of the top 50 players in the country by Rivals.com, ESPNU, Scout.com, SuperPrep and 247Sports. He totaled 22 tackles, six sacks and two fumble recoveries in 2010 after tallying 43 tackles, 11 sacks and three forced fumbles as a junior. In 2010, Williams led Lincoln High School to a 12-1 record and Public School Athletic League playoff championship game at Yankee Stadium. The Brooklyn, N.Y., native graduated high school in December 2010 and is currently enrolled at Notre Dame.

Notre Dame returns to the practice field for the start of spring practice on March 23 and the Blue-Gold spring game is set for April 16.

-ND-