FOOTBALL: Ending with a bang
By JOE HETTLER
Sports Editor
Over the last few years, Signing Day has ended with a thud for Notre Dame. Wednesday, the Irish not only signed the three names they wanted, but also left scholarship room for a former player to return.
Defensive lineman Victor Abiamiri, wide receiver/defensive back Ambrose Wooden and linebacker Thomas Mitchell all verbally committed to the Irish on Signing Day and helped vault coach Tyrone Willingham's first sole recruiting class into the top five in the nation.
`Notre Dame has the fourth best class in he country," ESPN's Tom Lemming said. "They got the guys they had to get and then they lucked out with the Maryland players."
Notre Dame became a late front-runner for Abiamiri, who has been called the best defensive lineman in the country, after the University of Maryland committed a secondary violation when recruiting him. Once it looked like Abiamiri would sign with the Irish, his high school teammate, Wooden, was expected to follow.
Willingham was pleased with both signings and the overall class, but said he doesn't listen to what recruiting analysts say about the class, even if they are positive comments.
"I always try to temper my enthusiasm, but I think that it's a very solid class," Willingham said. "I love the way it came together. Our coaches did a great job working to recruit this class."
Willingham also said the Irish have a "couple" scholarships left and that those may go to transfers or preferred walk-ons. He also added that one of those transfers could be former Irish running back Julius Jones. Jones did not enroll at Notre Dame this year because of academic problems, but could return for the Irish in 2003 if he is accepted.
"[Those scholarships] could potentially include Julius Jones next year," Willingham said. "I left that as open-ended as possible."
The Irish also had kicker Carl Gioia commit as a "preferred" walk-on. Gioia nailed 13 of 16 field goals and attended Valparaiso High School.
Two Parade All-Americans, five USA Today first-team All-Americans and eight players rated in the top 100 nationally by ESPN and the Chicago Sun-Times, highlight Notre Dame's class of 2007.
While Willingham likes the class, he warned against judging the group so soon after signing.
"We've brought some young players into the system. Now the real work begins," the coach said. "The next two or three years will determine how good this class is."
One of the biggest signees for Notre Dame was quarterback Brady Quinn, who threw for 2,149 yards, 25 touchdowns and only four interceptions as a senior at Dublin Coffman High School in Ohio.
One of Quinn's future targets likely will be tight end Greg Olsen. Olsen is one of the best all-around players in the country, according to numerous recruiting publications. He is also the younger brother of Notre Dame quarterback Chris Olsen.
The Irish beefed up their offensive line with two players rated in the top 100 of the country, Ryan Harris and John Sullivan both were picked as USA Today All-Americans.
Willingham and his staff were also able to land several players that can play several positions. Players such as Chase Anastasio, Isaiah Gardner, Geoffrey Price, Tom Zbikowksi and Wooden all played more than one position in high school
"The thing's that sorely missing in just a pure football player, is that a football player only has competition available to him 11, 12, maybe 13 times a year," Willingham said. "But when you have a young man that plays multiple sports … it helps him develop and hone his overall skills."
Willingham had 22 players commit, despite having only 33 official visits. A team is allowed 56 official visits per year and the 33 Notre Dame used this recruiting year was one of the lowest ever for the school. Willingham, however, was confident he could sign most of the players he brought in for visits.
"Yes I was confident we would get a high percentage of those 33 to sign," Willingham said. "We build our program on trust, honesty and integrity. [Notre Dame] is an institution that challenges young people to be prepared for the world."
Contact Joe Hettler at jhettler@nd.edu
All Sports Stories for Thursday, February 6, 2003
