WR Chase Claypool
Measurables: 6-5, 214
School: Abbotsford (B.C., Canada) Secondary
Rivals ranking: Four stars, No. 22 wide receiver
247Sports ranking: Four stars, No. 48 wide receiver
Notable numbers: Claypool caught 58 passes for 1,473 yards and 18 touchdowns, rushed for 567 yards and eight TDs, and completed six passes for 103 yards and three TDs. On defense, Claypool recorded 74 tackles, five interceptions, two sacks and two fumble recoveries. He also returned two punts and one kickoff for TDs.
First scholarship offer: Nevada.
Best advice I received through the recruiting process: Enjoy it and take your time.
One word to describe Brian Kelly: Friendly.
The one thing I won’t miss about the recruiting process: All the coaches calling a couple times a day.
Moment I knew I wanted to be Irish: When I came onto campus for my unofficial visit.
My secret off-the-field talent: I’m good at chess and Ping-Pong.
Song on my iPod I’m embarrassed to tell people about: “Sorry” by Justin Bieber.
Sports idol: My older brother Jacob Carvery
Preferred social media: Twitter.
Favorite football accomplishment: Winning the provincial championship.
Dream job (other than the NFL): Head coach of a college football team.
Head coach Brian Kelly on finding Claypool in Canada: "He's an extraordinary kid. Mike Denbrock and I have a contact in Canada that we've used ever since I've been back at Grand Valley and Central Michigan. I had some great success at Central recruiting some kids from Canada, and this same contact got in touch with us about Chase, and said, look, I've got a kid -- I go, 'I'm not going to Canada. I've got enough states here that we can find a player.'
"And then when we got a chance to see him play, we were just drawn to his pure physical ability, and then we loved him in person. We just loved his want-to, his -- just, I guess, he's a blank slate. He's so raw that we're going to be able to create a player that can play so many different positions for us. So we're really excited about him, and it was beautiful country up there, as well."
Wide receivers coach Mike Denbrock on Claypool's future at wide receiver: "He’s such a dynamic athlete for his size. He just recently turned 17 years old. What he’s going to be three or four years from now, I really can’t speak to. I know what kind of job in the weight room we do developing guys. I can see him growing to maybe outgrow the wide receiver position. He’s going to begin his career as a wide receiver. We’ll see where it goes from there. As long as he’s able to be the type of fluid athlete he is at the current time and the things that he can do dynamically with the football in his hands, then he’s an offensive weapon we need to utilize.”
Denbrock on how Claypool's work on the camp scene in America will help his transition from Canada: "It will pay dividends. He’s seen the best of the best having been at The Opening and some of the other events that are out there. We saw him up in Michigan at the Sound Mind Sound Body camp as well. He’s been around. He has a comfort level with where he fits as far as American football if you want to speak of it that way. He has a great confidence in his abilities to contribute to our football team and we have a great deal of confidence that he can do that."
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Audio: Notre Dame assistant head coach Mike Denbrock talks about Claypool's athleticism as well as his recruitment.
