NICCO FERTITTA
Las Vegas, NV
Measurables: 5'9", 175 lbs.
Accolades: All-USA Nevada All-State, first-team All-State, No. 295 on Tom Lemming’s Top 300, U.S. Army All-American, State Champion.
Other Impressive Offers: Arizona, Boston College, UNLV, Utah
Projected Position: Safety
Quick Take: An incredibly productive high school player on one of the nation’s top teams. Fertitta will be challenged physically from a size and speed perspective, but certainly not from a toughness or instincts front.
Following Ronnie Stanley from Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas, Fertitta also played a key role in bringing Aliz’e Jones to Notre Dame. But pegging him as a ride along companion isn’t fair. Even if it’s as a special teams standout, sleeping on Fertitta isn’t wise.
What he means for the Irish: Another body at safety. And an instinctive football player. While most pegged Drue Tranquill as a linebacker in waiting, Fertitta might have the size of a student manager, but that won’t keep him from pushing for early playing time.
A highly trained athlete, Fertitta developed a reputation as a knockout artist on the football field, a unique distinction considering his family’s ties to the UFC. The next four years will test Fertitta, another underdog challenge that I’m sure will motivate him.
Notre Dame’s defense is looking for football players of all shapes and sizes. Fertitta will be an interesting test case.
Obligatory YouTube clip: Here’s Fertitta’s senior highlights. Pound for pound, there might not have been a bigger hitter in high school football.
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