Notre Dame Recruiting Report

VERBALL COMMITMENT ALERT: Luke Harangody, BF (IN).

Projected 2006-2007 Roster
Seniors: Colin Falls (WG), Russell Carter (SG)
Juniors: Omari Israel (F), Robert Kurz (F)
Sophomores: Randy Ayers (F/G), Kyle McAlarney (G), Zack Hillesland (F), Luke Zeller (BF/C)
Freshmen: Luke Harangody (BF)

Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey received the good news yesterday from Luke Harangody, a 6'8 250 lb BF, that he has chosen the Figting Irish over Purdue, his other in-state finalist. Harangody was the Northwest Indiana Times player of the year last season and they have the story on his commitment in today's paper: Harangody Commits.

Harangody is the perfect fit for the Notre Dame roster and is just what the doctor ordered for Brey's team in the Big East. Harangody is ready today for the physical demands of the conference and he loves to do the work around the basket in scoring, rebounding and defending, which is something unique to the ND 2006-2007 roster as it stands right now. He fits in perfect with the 4 recruits from 2005 and brings an element that will definitely be lacking when Rick Cornett graduates.

From our previous recruiting report on July 6, we really liked the possibility of Harangody to Notre Dame and now the Irish will look to get commits for up to 4 open scholarships. It probably is a little unlikely they hand them all out, but we do expect at least another four person class.

I still feel Tom Herzog is a major target of Mike Brey and would be a nice post compliment to Harangody as Herzog is very skinny and not as physical as big Luke, but he has a knack for blocking shots and uses a good touch to score some points. Another big man is Jason Bennett, a 7'2 C that has Cincinnati and Miami also interested in the big man and Notre Dame is in the picture, at least a little bit. Canadian Devin Brennan-McBride also has gotten looks fromt he Irish staff and like Michigan, Purdue, Pepperdine and St Bonaventure as well.

As always, the Irish are also looking for additional shooting and the main target continues to be Matt Bouldin from Colorado. Bouldin also is looking at BC, Gonzaga, Cal and NC St has entered the picture. Another wing guard that has entered the Irish picture this summer has been Joe Hardin from California and he is looking at Stanford and Iowa as well as some other Califirnia schools in addition to Notre Dame. Adrion Graves from Ohio is also on the recruiting radar with ND, but he seems to favor in-state Xavier and Dayton. A wing forward from New Jersey, Dennis Horner also remains on the list, but he seems to be leaning to WVU, but insists options are still open and Robbie Hummel, an Indiana prospect whose had quite a growth spurt, has really come out of nowhere to get many looks and Notre Dame is interested. Kelvin Lewis from Texas is another combo guard that has the Irish interest. Lewis has a little more athletic ability to create his own offense and could be a nice compliment to the other players being targeted.

It looks like the Irish will now focus on securing another big man to compliment Harangody and add a typical shooter from the wing, as seems their strategy every year. I would expect them to give out one other scholarship to a player that will best fit their needs as well, a PG to help out with McAlarney, who at this point will be their only possible PG on the 2006-2007 roster, is a need I feel they have. A little more athletic ability to create offese also might be a good addition on the wings.