Bennett Jackson, 6'1", 170, 4.5/40, WR, 4-Star

Position: Wide Receiver
High School: Hazlet, Raritan, NJ
Rivals: 3-Star
Scout: 4-Star
Rivals Rating: __

Notes: 2008: Caught 36 passes for 806 yards (22.4 average) and four touchdowns. Rushed for five scores. Returned two punts and one kickoff for touchdowns. What stands out about Jackson is his incredible change of direction, which makes him dangerous out of the backfield and in space. You can see the impact in his 22 YPC average (if those reported numbers are correct), which, for perspective, is higher than Michael Floyd's YPC average his senior year.

The Book on Jackson:

"He's a pure athlete," said Chris Melvin, one of New Jersey's leading evaluators of high school football talent. "No matter where he's at on the field, he can make great things happen and take it the end zone at the drop of a dime. You put him on the football field and he simply makes plays."


"He has set very high standards for himself,'' Raritan coach Bob Generelli said. "First and foremost, he has the academic piece, that encourages people to make a detailed evaluation. They think he's going to grow, and they like his skill set in general.'' "He's not a workout warrior (a term used for players who show more ability at scouting combines than they do at times on the football field),'' Generelli said. ""I think they (Notre Dame) felt he was a football player, not a sprinter. They like his toughness.''

Video:

Alex Welch, 6'5" 225, 4.8/40, TE, 4-Star

Position: Tight End
High School: Cincinnati, OH
Rivals: 4-Star
Scout: 3-Star
Rivals Rating: 79
ESPN Evaluation

Notes (from Go Blue): He is very productive high school tight end with an excellent frame. Nice hands and runs nice routes. Also takes fight to defender both blocking and after the catch. He is very good at finding soft spot in zone coverage's. He needs to bend his knees and watch his pad level. Also needs to work on his speed and quickness along with needs to add some weight and strength.

Offers: Ohio State, Oklahoma, Michigan, Florida State, Michigan State, Stanford, North Carolina, South Carolina, North Carolina State, Indiana, Maryland, Northwestern, Boston College, Illinois, Wake Forest, Wisconsin, Kansas, Purdue, Cincinnati, Vanderbilt, Louisville, South Florida

1812 Overture

Notre Dame Victory March | 1812 Overture | Victory Clog | Here Come the Irish | Ya Gotta Believe | Rockne Speech

Robert O'Brien, Director of the Band from 1952-1986, wrote the arrangement for Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture which has become known to fans as "The Lou Chant".

Knute Rockne Speech

Notre Dame Victory March | 1812 Overture | Victory Clog | Here Come the Irish | Ya Gotta Believe | Rockne Speech

Ya Gotta Believe

Notre Dame Victory March | 1812 Overture | Victory Clog | Here Come the Irish | Ya Gotta Believe | Rockne Speech

Daniel Smith, 6'5", 205lbs, 4.6/40, WR, 4-Star

Position: Wide Receiver
High School: South Bend, IN
Rivals: --
Scout: 4-Star
Rivals Rating: 78
ESPN Evaluation

Notes: He is very athletic and knows how to use his size to gain position and shield the defender from the ball. He has a very good combination of height and long arms to attack the ball downfield. He is a tough player that can be used all over the field and will make the clutch catch over the middle and in traffic.

Christian Lombard, 6'5", 290lbs, 5.4/40, OL, 4/5-Star

Position: Offensive Line
High School: WM Fremd HS, Palantine, Il
Rivals: --
Scout: 5-Star
Rivals Rating:
ESPN Evaluation

Chris Martin, 6'4", 225lbs, 4.65/40, OLB/DE, 5-Star

Position: Outside linebacker/Defensive End
High School: Oakland (CA) Bishop O'Dowd
Rivals: 5-Star
Scout: 5-Star
Rivals Rating:6.1
ESPN Evaluation



NDNation Notes: Chris Martin is the type of player the Irish have to land to contend for a National Title. Martin is a very athletic and talented rush end who dominated at USC's camp (see video below.) He's a Manti Teo level recruit who will make an immediate impact for the Irish. Will be one of ND's top 3 recruits, if not the top recruit, for 2010. Martin is likely transferring to the Hun School for his senior year.

Charlie's Tweets

2010 Recruiting

Football Depth Chart - Special Teams