Brock Wright, top 2017 tight end, commits to Notre Dame
Notre Dame's tight end legacy has already planted roots in the 2017 recruiting class.
Brock Wright, the nation's top tight end in that class, according to 247Sports, gave his verbal commitment to the Irish on Friday. Wright announced the news on Twitter.
"So happy and blessed to announce that I've made my decision and committed to the University of Notre Dame! Go Irish," Wright tweeted.
Wright, the second commitment in Notre Dame's 2017 class, joins offensive lineman Dillan Gibbons. The Irish have nine commtments in the current, 2016 recruiting cycle.
The 6-foot-5, 238-pound Wright visited Notre Dame last week for the Irish Invasion camp. He received a Notre Dame offer during an earlier trip to South Bend, in March.
"He’s going to be one of the premier tight ends in the country for next year," said CBS Sports Network recruiting analyst Tom Lemming.
Wright caught 17 passes for 369 yards and two touchdowns in his sophomore season at Cypress (Texas) Cy-Fair High. He claimed 20 scholarship offers including ones from Alabama, LSU, Michigan, Georgia, Texas and Texas A&M.
Both 247Sports and Rivals rate Wright as a four-star prospect. 247Sports slates him as the No. 57 overall prospect in the 2017 class.
“When I went through the Houston area last year, a lot of people were talking about Brock," Lemming said. "It’s too early to say he’s the best tight end, but he would definitely rank among the top three in the country for next year.”
The addition of Wright may allow the Irish to skip on signing a tight end in the 2016 class. Notre Dame's top target at the position in the 2016 class, Cary Angeline, announced a verbal commitment to USC earlier Friday. The only other 2016 tight end to show mutual interest in Notre Dame is four-star target Luke Farrell, who visited June 11.
Notre Dame enters the 2015 season with only one career catch collectively from the six tight ends on its roster — that coming from junior and likely starter Durham Smythe. Behind Smythe, the Irish have talented, but inexperienced depth in freshman Alizé Jones, sophomores Tyler Luatua and Nic Weishar, junior Mike Heuerman and graduate student Chase Hounshell.
Wright, who was recruited to Notre Dame by tight ends coach Scott Booker and offensive coordinator Mike Sanford, becomes the first Texas product to commit to Notre Dame's 2016 or 2017 classes. The Irish signed 10 recruits from the Lone Star State in the previous five recruiting cycles.
Cornerback Nick Watkins and wide receivers Torii Hunter Jr. and Corey Robinson were arguably the most talented Texas transplants to join Notre Dame during that time. Lemming said Wright's potential may trump all of them.
"He’s the biggest catch they’ve had in the last several years out of Texas. That’s how big this is," Lemming said. "He’s a premier player. I think he’ll be an NFL player, too."
Below are highlights of Wright's sophomore season via Hudl.
So happy and blessed to announce that I've made my decision and committed to the University of Notre Dame! Go Irish
— Brock Wright (@brockjwright40) June 26, 2015//
ND Nation Show Some Love!! Tight End U!! Everything is BIGGER in Texas!! #IrishEl17E
— Scott Booker (@CoachSBooker) June 26, 2015//
#IRISHEL17E Who's next 317?
— Mike Elston (@CoachMikeElston) June 26, 2015//
— Brian Kelly (@CoachBrianKelly) June 26, 2015//
Great day to be Irish, y’all! #IrishEl17Epic.twitter.com/o8qeXDGcSY
— Coach Mike Sanford (@CoachSanfordND) June 26, 2015//
Texas y'all!!!! #GoIrish#IrishEl17e
— Aaryn Kearney (@aarynkearney) June 26, 2015//