ALEX BARS
Montgomery Bell (Nashville, TN)
Measurables: 6-6, 290
Accolades: Under Armour All-American, USA Today All-USA second-team, Consensus 4-Star, Rotary Lombardi Award for South’s top high school lineman.
Impressive Offers: Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Michigan, LSU, Ohio State
Projected Position: Offensive Tackle
Quick Take: Bars is an elite offensive tackle prospect that should have Irish fans very excited. With an offer list among the top in college football, Bars is the prototype left tackle prospect, with size, athleticism and an easily projectable frame. A very good basketball player, Bars has the type of skill-set that Notre Dame covets.
While he didn’t have his best week at the Under Armour Bowl, Bars is the type of player that could play quickly for Harry Hiestand, though there doesn’t look to be a need right now. Joined by Quenton Nelson, the Irish added bookend tackles that are among the finest 1-2 punches in the country.
What he means to Irish: It’s telling that Notre Dame didn’t offer either of Bars’ brothers, who were more developmental prospects that ended up at Penn State and Michigan. But Notre Dame was quick to identify Alex, and he’s following his father’s footsteps to South Bend.
How the left tackle position shakes out the next few years should be fun to watch. Does Steve Elmer slide back? Is Mike McGlinchey the best option? Could Bars or Nelson play there? After four seasons of Zack Martin, it could be one of the best battles of spring and fall camp.
Obligatory YouTube highlight clip: Here’s Bars’ Signing Day clip from UND.com: