Irish have 19
By PAT LEONARD
Sports Writer
This afternoon, Tyrone Willingham will announce the results of his first full recruiting effort as head coach of Notre Dame football.
With 19 recruits orally committed, Irish coaches now wait on two top prospects — teammates defensive end Victor Abiamiri and cornerback Ambrose Wooden — as signing day approaches. If the two recruits sign with Notre Dame tomorrow, they will complete a recruiting class that already ranks among the best of 2003.
Abiamiri (6-foot-5, 245 pounds) and Wooden (6-foot-1, 185 pounds) played as teammates at the Gilman School in Baltimore, Md. Abiamiri attracts most of the attention, as many expert analysts consider him one of the best if not the best defensive end in the nation.
"They will go [to Notre Dame]," ESPN expert Tom Lemming said. "Abiamiri is the premier pass rusher in the country. We saw that in the game in San Antonio [U.S. Army All-American Bowl]. I think he had three or four sacks in that game."
Abiamiri was seriously considering attending the University of Maryland, but reports of illegal monetary offers made by Maryland coaches meant the Terrapins had to drop Abiamiri from their target list.
With Abiamiri, the Irish would get a precocious pass rusher who seems to have the talent to play right away. Abiamiri recorded 12 sacks, 17 tackles for a loss and one interception in a senior year in which he earned All-USA 2002 first team defensive honors. The end could step in early next season and complement junior Justin Tuck to give opposing quarterbacks fits.
"He's a remarkably quick 238-pounder with long arms, great closing speed, and tremendous determination," Lemming said. "He's the best defensive end Notre Dame has signed since Ross Browner."
Wooden runs a 4.4-second 40-yard dash and played quarterback in high school, similar to commitment Tom Zbikowski out of Buffalo Grove, Ill. Wooden threw for 1,006 yards and nine touchdowns and rushed for another 1,309 yards and 13 touchdowns.
"Like Zbikowski, in high school he was a great quarterback on offense but will probably wind up playing cornerback," Lemming said. "What they [Notre Dame] get is a pure cornerback with height. He's an exceptional athlete and like Zbikowski could contribute as a true freshman."
The fact Lemming complements these players and compares them to former Notre Dame greats bodes well for the future of Notre Dame football in the early stages of the Willingham era.
This past season, Notre Dame's defense gave up only 217 points for an average of 16.7 opponents' points per game.
Ranked 13th in total defense and ninth in total scoring defense, the Irish can only improve on this side of the ball. Willingham could add up to four top cornerbacks, including Zbikowski, Labrose Hedgeman and Freddie Parish, if Wooden signs.
Hedgeman comes from Alabama and decommitted from the University of North Carolina last week in favor of Notre Dame.
The most recent oral commitment came Tuesday from wide receiver/running back Chase Anastasio out of Fairfax, Va.
Notre Dame lost only one oral commitment when Florida running back David Marrero reneged on his commitment and chose Stanford, Willingham's former team. The biggest blow for the Irish came when highly recruited offensive lineman Mike Jones chose the Iowa Hawkeyes over Notre Dame as well as other schools. Jones helped his high school team gain more than 4,500 yards total offense and made the All-USA first team.
Irish coaches still have secured two top offensive linemen, however: Ryan Harris from St. Paul, Minnesota and John Sullivan out of Greenwich, Conn.
All Sports Stories for Wednesday, February 5, 2003
