RECRUITING

Notebook: Notre Dame commits nominated for national awards

Tyler James

South Bend Tribune

Notre Dame linebacker commit Bo Bauer has been named one of five finalists for the high school version of the Butkus Award, given to the nation’s top linebacker.

Bauer was joined on the list by Bo Calvert (USC commit), Palaie Gaoteote (USC), Teradja Mitchell (Ohio State) and Solomon Tuliaupupu, who made an official visit to Notre Dame in October.

Through 11 games of his senior season at Erie (Pa.) Cathedral Prep, Bauer has 77 tackles, 17.5 tackles for a loss, eight sacks and two blocked punts.

Former Notre Dame linebackers Manti Te’o and Jaylon Smith won both the high school and collegiate top linebacker awards.

Jurkovec for Player of the Year

Notre Dame quarterback commit Phil Jurkovec has been selected as one of 16 semifinalists for the U.S. Army Player of the Year. The list will be cut to six finalists next week with the winner being named on Friday, Jan. 5.

Jurkovec has been on fire during his senior season at Gibsonia (Pa.) Pine-Richland. Through 13 games, he has completed 191 of his 253 passes (75.5 percent) for 3,279 yards and 33 touchdowns with only four interceptions. Jurkovec also has rushed 91 times for 908 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Jurkovec will be one of five current Notre Dame commits playing in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Saturday, Jan. 6. He will be joined by defensive tackle Jayson Ademilola, safety Derrik Allen, rover Shayne Simon and tight end George Takacs.

LB target drops commitment

Days after completing his official visit to Notre Dame, four-star linebacker Payton Wilson has dropped his commitment to North Carolina. The 6-foot-4, 217-pound product of Hillsborough (N.C.) Orange had been committed to the Tar Heels since May.

The Irish aren’t the only obvious contenders for Wilson. He also made an official visit to N.C. State earlier this month and has offers from the likes of Ohio State, Clemson and Alabama.

247Sports slates Wilson, who tore an ACL in October, as the No. 4 outside linebacker in the 2018 class. Rivals ranks him No. 7 at the position.

Notre Dame linebacker commit Bo Bauer, a 2018 recruit, walks into Notre Dame Stadium before the Georgia-Notre Dame game. Tribune Photo/MICHAEL CATERINA