Notre Dame's offensive line tradition alluring to four-star OL Enokk Vimahi
In putting together one of the best offensive line classes in the country for 2019, Notre Dame has searched coast to coast for top targets.
It's even led the Irish to Hawaii once again. Earlier this year, four-star offensive lineman Julius Buelow of Kapolei High visited Notre Dame. Now four-star offensive lineman Enokk Vimahi plans to do the same.
The 6-foot-4, 286-pound rising senior at Kahuku High has scheduled an official visit for Notre Dame's season opener against Michigan.
"Notre Dame has set itself apart in terms of the O-line tradition," Vimahi said. "I want to thrive at a place that has put out a lot of great offensive linemen as you saw in the draft this year. Also, they're a two-sided school in terms of athletics and academics. They're an elite school with both."
Vimahi knows that former Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson and tackle Mike McGlinchey were the first two offensive linemen selected in the first nine picks of the NFL Draft. But he wants to learn a lot more about the Irish.
"How the feel is and how the student body works," Vimahi said. "Hopefully I get to talk to some of the players. My host will let me know about the personal life and how they balance the education up there, which is elite, and the football program, which is elite as well. I want to see how they manage themselves."
Vimahi's player host will likely be one of the two Hawaiian players on Notre Dame's roster: junior safety Alohi Gilman or sophomore defensive tackle Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa. Vimahi grew up one town over from Gilman, and they both attended Kahuku. Former Irish defensive lineman Kona Schwenke also went to Kahuku.
Recruiting coordinator Brian Polian and offensive line coach Jeff Quinn have been working to keep Vimahi informed on what the Irish have to offer. He received a scholarship offer in February, a month after Quinn was named Harry Hiestand's replacement.
"Because he's recruited a lot of people from Hawaii, (Polian) kind of knows what our thought process is and how our personality is, especially all the Polynesians over there," Vimahi said. "Coach Quinn, he just wants me to get out there for myself to see the atmosphere on game day. I've heard great things about coach Quinn even though he's the new offensive line coach."
Earlier this month, Vimahi named a top eight that included USC, UCLA, Notre Dame, Nebraska, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Washington and Virginia. Vimahi said he doesn't have any other visits planned currently, but he does plan to use all five of his official visits before making a decision.
With four offensive linemen already committed to Notre Dame's 2019 class, the Irish are looking for another tackle to add to the group. Much like Irish commits Quinn Carroll and John Olmstead, Vimahi could probably play either guard or tackle in college.
247Sports slates Vimahi as the No. 9 offensive tackle and No. 45 overall in the 2019 class, which is a higher ranking than anyone else in Notre Dame's class regardless of position. Rivals ranks him as the No. 18 offensive tackle.
Vimahi's not concerned about his position. He's just focused on finding the best fit for him.
"I just want to help out the team and do what's best for the team," Vimahi said. "That's what I'm for."
