Film Study: Notre Dame DE commit Adetokunbo Ogundeji
Defensive end Adetokunbo Ogundeji, 6-4, 215; Walled Lake (Mich.) Central
The numbers: Ogundeji recorded 68 tackles, nine sacks, 17 pass deflections and four fumble recoveries in his junior season. Walled Lake (9-3) won a district title before losing to the eventual state champions in a Division 1 regional.
The rankings: 247Sports — Three stars, No. 39 weakside defensive end. Rivals — Three stars.
FILM BREAKDOWN
First impression: Ogundeji is a raw prospect with upside because of his lanky frame. Defensive line coach Keith Gilmore was brought to Notre Dame to help mold projects like Ogundeji. He has similarities to former Notre Dame recruits Jhonny Williams and Bo Wallace.
Strengths: You can’t teach length, and Ogundeji has plenty of it. He overpowers his opponents with his size and uses his long arms to prevent offensive linemen from gaining control of him. Ogundeji looks skinny but proves to be stronger than he looks. At times, Ogundeji shows good quickness at the snap of the ball. He’s shown a determination in pursuing the quarterback. Ogundeji also uses his height to recognize opportunities to get his hands up to deflect passes.
He did what? (:33) Ogundeji bursts off the line of scrimmage so quickly that he’s in the face of the quarterback by the time he settles into his drop. He continues to drive past the offensive tackle for the sack … (1:41) Ogundeji holds the edge by riding his blocker toward the sideline as the ball carrier tries to find a corner to turn. Ogundeji separates himself from the offensive lineman to bring down the runner for a big loss … (4:52) After appearing to lose control with his back to the line of scrimmage, Ogundeji regains balance by spinning out of the block and tackles the running back by reaching out with his long arms.
Competition level: Walled Lake Central competes in the highest classification, Division 1, in Michigan. While the college football talent might not be in abundance on some of the teams on its schedule, teams like West Bloomfield and Walled Lake Western provided tough challenges. Clarkston, who finished the season undefeated as state champions, featured Michigan State offensive tackle signee Cole Chewins, a two-star recruit. Ogundeji made a couple nice plays against Chewins.
Left to prove: In eight minutes of highlights, the only pass-rush technique Ogundeji exhibits is a bull rush. That’s simply not going to get the job done in college. His lack of polish as a rusher is what makes him such a project as a prospect. Ogundeji’s size is the only thing that jumps off the screen about him. He’ll need to get stronger and faster early in his Notre Dame career to find a path onto the field.
tjames@ndinsider.com | 574-235-6214 | Twitter: @TJamesNDI
