Notre Dame Recruiting Update

VERBAL COMMITMENT ALERT: Tory Jackson (PG), Saginaw, MI.

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), Tory Jackson (PG)

Link to previous Notre Dame recruiting report: July 21 Report.

Well, an hour ago, I was linking a story in today's notes section from the Detroit News that Tory Jackson could pull the trigger and decide on a college very soon and it looks good for Notre Dame, well, here is a story from the South Bend Tribune on his commitment to the Fighting Irish and Coach Mike Brey: Jackson Chooses Irish.


Read More...Click Below!


The recruiting trail has been somewhat quiet in the class of 2006 for Irish head coach Mike Brey and his staff. They have lost out on a few of their early targets, like Dennis Horner and Matt Bouldin recently, but with the earlier commitment of Luke Harangody, who will provide a toughness inside and a physical presence that should be able to step right in for Torrin Francis and Rick Cornett and compliment Luke Zeller, they have now added a very nice compliment to Kyle McAlarney in the backcourt.

Jackson, a Saginaw, MI native, is an ultra-quick guard that can, like most ND perimeter players, bury the long range shot. What Jackson also offers is a pesky defensive presence that enjoys getting after the oppossing point guard and playing some intense defense. Jackson has the athletic ability to break down his man and get to the rim. He does need to transition himself from more of a score-first mentality to the more traditional running the offense type mentality of a point guard, and his smallish stature might make this very important in the Big East. He does have the raw athletic ability and scoring skills to make an immediate impact at the Big East level and should be a nice compliment to McAlarney and his penetration ability should also aide in finding room for shooters like Colin Falls, Randy Ayers, etc on the perimeter for the Irish.

So, where do the Irish go from here? 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. It also happens to be that Herzog and Jackson were AAU teammates with the Michigan Hurricanes. They will also be showing some attention to the new Lithunianian big man at Statesville Christian by the name of Devius Busma. I will not even try to pretend I know anything about him. They also seem to still be recruiting some additional wing talent and Jodie Meeks, a 6'4 athletic wing guard remains on their radar, as does Texan Kelvin Lewis. Meeks might be tough to get out of SEC country and Lewis has a variety of interest and I am not sure how interested the Irish are.

The Irish do have three scholarships open at this time. I do think Tom Herzog is the one that will get most of their attention at this time. There does not seem to be a large number of names out there at this time the Irish are targeting for 2006, another wing could always come in handy as well. They have been busy on the 2007 trail already as well. Stay tuned and we will keep you updated on the Irish happenings as they occur.