Three-star WR Michael Young commits to Notre Dame
The Irish Invasion continues to pay dividends for Notre Dame.
On Wednesday night, wide receiver Michael Young became the sixth recruit to commit to the Irish since arriving on campus for the recruiting spectacle and invite-only camp in June.
Young, a three-star recruit, announced his commitment on Twitter. He chose Notre Dame over offers from Texas A&M and Oregon, among others.
The 5-foot-11, 178-pound receiver made visits to all three schools before realizing Notre Dame was the place he wanted to continue his football career.
“Talking to a lot of the players from different schools and sitting down and actually evaluating my options, I found the best option for me on and off the field,” Young said.
Young received his mother’s approval too. She accompanied him for the three-day visit in June.
“My mom loved it. My mom liked it from the beginning,” Young said last month. “When we went on the trip, she liked it even more. She’s definitely on board.”
During Young’s visit, Notre Dame added commitments from defensive end Jonathan MacCollister and wide receiver Jordan Pouncey. Fellow Irish Invasion attendees CJ Holmes and Markese Stepp, both running backs, and offensive lineman Robert Hainsey have committed to Notre Dame since then.
Young said the momentum of Notre Dame’s recruiting efforts didn’t influence his decision to commit now. He just didn’t see any use in waiting any longer.
“For some guys it’s a good option, but for me I felt waiting was a little overrated,” Young said. “If you know where you want to go, there’s no sense in stringing it out or waiting until the end of the season. The last offer I received came in May. It’s July, so I’ve had ample amount of time to sit down and think about where I want to go.”
In Young, Notre Dame adds its second wide receiver commit in the 2017 class. Young, a product of Destrehan (La.) High School, projects more as a slot receiver while Pouncey will be asked to play on the outside. Neither have received high regard from most recruiting services.
247Sports slates Young as the No. 41 wide receiver and Pouncey at No. 105 in the 2017 class. Neither players registered in the top 100 wide receivers ranked by Rivals.
“He's a good, solid receiver,” CBS Sports Network recruiting analyst Tom Lemming said of Young. “Nothing jumps out at you with him except that he's productive. He doesn't have great size. His speed is OK, but he plays against really good competition and performs very well."
Young ran the 40-yard dash in 4.67 seconds at The Opening Regional in New Orleans in April. Not long after the Nike camp, Notre Dame extended Young a scholarship offer. Running backs coach Autry Denson shared the news a day after Young made contact with Irish director of player personnel Dave Peloquin.
Recruiting success in Louisiana has been rare for Notre Dame since the turn of the century. If Young enrolls at Notre Dame next year, he will become only the second recruit from the Pelican State to do so since cornerback Albert Poree joined the Irish in 1999. Defensive tackle Jerry Tillery, who remains the only player from Louisiana on Notre Dame’s roster, ended the drought last year.
Yet Notre Dame was able infiltrate the state and clearly communicate its recruiting pitch to Young.
“It’s the best of both worlds academically and athletically,” Young said. “Athletically, they play against the big guys — Michigan State, Stanford. Last year they played Clemson. And then the coaching staff, (wide receivers) coach (Mike) Denbrock and coach Denson, they’re both genuine guys.”
Young said he was impressed that Denbrock wasn’t going to guarantee that he would play early in his Notre Dame career. Denbrock only promised the chance to do so, Young said, if he outperforms the other players on the roster.
Regardless of the path his playing career takes, Young didn’t want to pass up on the education he can receive in South Bend.
“It’s not a four-year thing. It’s a forty-year thing,” Young said. “They have connections worldwide. If you have a degree from Notre Dame, people are like ‘Whoa.’ Not everybody gets that opportunity.”
Below are Young's junior highlights via Hudl.
Proud to announce that I've committed to the University of Notre Dame‼️ #GoIrish#IRISHE17Epic.twitter.com/VqHyLNVHUT
— Michael Young (@_LikeMike10_) July 21, 2016
☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘
☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘
☘...and counting!!!#IRISHEL17E
— Mike Elston (@CoachMikeElston) July 21, 2016
— Brian Kelly (@CoachBrianKelly) July 21, 2016
tjames@ndinsider.com | 574-235-6214 | Twitter: @TJamesNDI
