Notre Dame Football Recruiting: Redfield Signs Letter of Intent
By Andrew Hall
January 4, 2013; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Team Nitro athlete Max Redfield (1) during the first half at the Under Armour All-America high school Game at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Max Redfield
Safety
5-Star
Mission Viejo, California
Commitment Date: 1/4/2013
Max Redfield is the type of player that Notre Dame has not had in the Defensive Backfield since the early 1990s. He is a tremendous athlete that could play several position but will probably start on the Defensive side at Safety. Having a player of his caliber at Safety will open up the playbook for Defensive Coordinator Bob Diaco. Redfield will start at Safety for the Fighting Irish at some point next year.
From theSlap the SignEvaluation:
"Standing at 6’2’’ 195 pounds he is a good size for a defensive back, but like all high school guys will need to add some muscle weight to his frame. He is often listed as an athlete that could either play receiver or defensive back in college. Redfield is currently going both ways for his high school team at safety and receiver. If Notre Dame could snag this recruit he would more than likely be looked at as a defensive guy first, but his offensive skills are better than defensive. The ball skills that Redfield has, makes him one of the best recruits in the country. On film he looks more of a natural receiver with better technique on the offensive side of the ball. His release is above average, but could use some tweaking, routes are crisp, comes out of breaks very well, and lastly he has very good hands never using his chest to catch the ball. Defensively he isn’t going to get beat deep and his cover skills are good. He works back to front and always has his eyes on the offensive line and quarterback trying to read the offense. Last but definitely not least this guy is very fast, and paired with good skills and technique on offense. Watch out.First, like all high school recruits add muscle weight. Personally I think he is an elite talent especially on the offensive side of the ball, but defensively he would have to work on some things before he would be playing. First off, taking better angles to the ball carrier and finishing. Many times he takes a bad angle and dives at the ball carrier, which isn’t good. Also, when he does take a good angle many times he will dive for their legs (don’t leave your feet) or go for the big shoulder pad hit and not wrap up at all. In college these things will not work, but then again he is a good enough athlete to get by with this stuff. These are all things that can be fixed and with a coaching staff like Notre Dame has it will be fixed. Redfield does fly to the ball and when he betters his finishing abilities he will be an elite talent on defense as well.Overall, a very good recruit that if he develops quickly he could be a 4 year starter, but if not definitely a 3 year starter. The combination of speed, hands, ball skills, cutting ability, and awareness makes him the sought after athlete that every college coach wants."