Football Recruiting: Commitments roll in as signing day nears
By: JOE HETTLER
Sports Editor
After two weeks without any verbal commitments, Notre Dame's 2007 recruiting class added several new members in the last two weeks, all of which could make significant contributions to future Irish squads.
Highly-touted tight end Greg Olsen and safety Tom Zbikowski both orally committed to the Irish Jan. 16. Less than a week later, two more prospects, John Sullivan and Dwight Stephenson, gave Notre Dame coach Tyrone Willingham their oral commitment.
Per NCAA regulations, Notre Dame officials are prohibited from publicly commenting on verbal commitments until Signing Day Feb. 5.
Sullivan, a 6-foot-4, 280-pound center from Greenwich, Conn. narrowed his choices to Notre Dame and Boston College, before choosing the Irish.
Sullivan brings a list of credentials with him to Notre Dame. SuperPrep rated Sullivan as a top 50 player at any position in the country and the best prospect out of the New England area.
"He gets after it, he's very aggressive and he stays on his blocks very well," SuperPrep's Allen Wallace said.
ESPN's Tom Lemming also called Sullivan the best center in the nation.
Sullivan will compete against rising sophomore Bob Morton and rising junior Zach Giles for the starting position next season.
The other commitment came from Hall of Fame center Dwight Stephenson's son. The younger Stephenson had already committed to the University of Florida before changing his mind and choosing Notre Dame.
Stephenson played strongside linebacker in high school, but could play either at linebacker or defensive end at Notre Dame. He had 27 sacks as a senior last season and also brings the Irish outstanding speed, running the 40-yard dash in only 4.4 seconds.
"He's very quick, reacts well and plays hard," Wallace said. "He's somebody who you definitely would want to have on your team."
Despite now having 17 recruits orally committed, Notre Dame isn't done. The Irish have several players they hope to land before the Feb. 5 Signing Day.
One such player is defensive end Victor Abiamiri who is sought by Miami (Fla.), Maryland, North Carolina and Stanford. Abiamiri could be a difference maker for the college he chooses.
"He's truly elite," Wallace said. "He's smart, big, fast, athletic, quick and pretty explosive. Because of his raw talent, he should go in and make an impact at someplace playing as a freshman."
Abiamiri has narrowed his choices down to Notre Dame and Maryland, according to Lemming.
The Irish also hope to grab Abiamiri's teammate, quarterback/cornerback Ambrose Wooden. Wallace said Wooden is a little different from most recruits because he will have to switch to a somewhat unfamiliar position if he decides on Notre Dame. However, Wallace said that inexperience shouldn't scare off the Irish.
"He's definitely worth the risk," Wallace said.
Offensive lineman Mike Jones also has expressed interest in playing at Notre Dame. Jones has reportedly narrowed his choices down to the Irish, Penn State, Tennessee and Iowa. Jones is listed as 6-foot-5, 307-pounds and could be another big commitment for Notre Dame.
"He has always had Notre Dame high on his list," Wallace said.
All Sports Stories for Saturday, January 25, 2003
