Part three of our series recapping the recruits ready to sign letters-of-intent with Notre Dame next Wednesday. Previous installments include running backs and offensive linemen.
The shadow that Michael Floyd‘s graduation will leave over the Irish offense likely won’t clear in just one season. (Consider even Floyd’s No. 3 jersey won’t even be in uniform next year, with transfer Amir Carlisle sitting out the 2012 season thanks to NCAA transfer rules.) But like the Irish coaching staff did last year, they evaluated their roster deficiencies and took dead aim at them. And with the Irish’s 2012 slate of receivers — even if it doesn’t grow in the next week — they’ve done an excellent job bringing in impact players that can help jump-start the evolution of Brian Kelly and Chuck Martin’s spread offense.
Floyd’s departure leaves Notre Dame with no true game-breaker at wide receiver. Theo Riddick, who Kelly thought would be his answer at the slot has been anything but, and could potentially spend his final season in blue and gold at running back. The only receiving nightmare on the Irish roster is a tight end, with All-American Tyler Eifert the team’s best option through the air. Yet there’s reason to believe this offense can take strides forward, even while losing their best player. Redshirts Davaris Daniels and Matthias Farley will have their first shot at filling the void, but come summer they’ll be joined by three impressive incoming recruits, each with some game-breaking athleticism that is in short supply on the current roster.
CHRIS BROWN
High School: Hanahan High — Hanahan, South Carolina
Measureables: Six-foot-two, 175-pounds
Other major offers: Arkansas, Clemson, Illinois, South Carolina, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest
Fun Fact: Broke South Carolina’s oldest state record with a 51-foot, 2.5 inch triple jump during his junior year.
On choosing Notre Dame: “Towards the end of the visit I was just thinking to myself that this could be a place I could go and shine,” Brown told BlueandGold.com. “There were a lot of positives about it.”
What he’ll bring to the offense: Brown might be one of the most under-the-radar players coming into Notre Dame. A collarbone injury robbed Brown of a large chunk of his senior season, but his speed and athleticism (his junior year triple-jump would’ve been eight inches shy of the Big East champion’s jump last year) will be a great blessing to go along with his six-foot-two frame. The Irish battled Steve Spurrier for Brown’s signature, and while it’ll take some time in the weight-room for Brown to be physically ready, the Irish won’t have many athletes with Brown’s ability in uniform next season. A true wildcard in the recruiting class.
JUSTIN FERGUSON
High School: Flanagan High — Pembroke Pines, Florida
Measureables: Six-foot-two, 205-pounds
Other major offers: Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Miami, UCF, Wisconsin
Fun Fact: One of the most impressive WRs at The Opening, the Nike’s invite-only scouting combine.
On choosing Notre Dame: “I liked them because of the education — that’s first and foremost,” Ferguson told the Sun Sentinel. “Once I got there, the coaches showed me a lot of love. They were really interested in me and told me it was the program that could benefit me the most.”
What he’ll bring to the offense: Ferguson is well put together physically, which could lead to early playing time. He reminds me a lot of a young David Givens, the highly-touted Irish wide receiver that didn’t hit his stride until joining the New England Patriots. Ferguson is a more natural receiver than Givens though, and while he might not be a true burner, he’ll be a tough assignment in the open field, whether starting at the slot or outside.
DEONTAY GREENBERRY:
High School: Washington Union — Fresno, California
Measureables: Six-foot-three, 185-pounds
Other major offers: Alabama, Cal, LSU, UCLA, USC, Washington
Fun Fact: Named Mr. Football in California after breaking yardage and 41-year touchdown catch state record.
On choosing Notre Dame: “We agreed since we were little we were going to the same college,” Greenberry said of playing with cousin Tee Shepard, an early-enrollee cornerback.
What he’ll bring to the offense: Having watched Greenberry a handful of times during his senior season, you start to think he’ll make a difference the minute he steps on campus. With jump-ball skills that rival Michael Floyd’s, Greenberry’s prodigious stats — crushing California records while leading his team to a state championship — match the physical attributes he brings to the field. It’s hard to find a receiver that’s got better game tape than Greenberry, and he’s seen his recruiting profile sky-rocket since exiting his junior year with only four scholarship offers. If there’s an offensive recruit that’s the most important on the Irish board, it’s Greenberry.
High School: Hanahan High — Hanahan, South Carolina
Measureables: Six-foot-two, 175-pounds
Other major offers: Arkansas, Clemson, Illinois, South Carolina, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest
Fun Fact: Broke South Carolina’s oldest state record with a 51-foot, 2.5 inch triple jump during his junior year.
On choosing Notre Dame: “Towards the end of the visit I was just thinking to myself that this could be a place I could go and shine,” Brown told BlueandGold.com. “There were a lot of positives about it.”
What he’ll bring to the offense: Brown might be one of the most under-the-radar players coming into Notre Dame. A collarbone injury robbed Brown of
