Max Redfield Looks For Breakout Season With Fighting Irish

As Notre Dame nears the start of the 2015 football season, there is a player – a five-star one coming out of high school, who will need to play well for the Fighting Irish defense to succeed. That player is Max Redfield, Notre Dame’s Free Safety.

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Redfield was a standout Safety and Wide Receiver for Mission Viego High School in Mission Viego, California. Max had a tremendous senior season when he made 65 tackles to go with two forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries. He also had four interceptions and blocked four punts. Impressive as those stats were, he also had 45 receptions for 757 yards and six touchdowns.

Max’s season was recognized nationally as he made second team All-American safety for USA Today and 247 Sports. He was ranked 41st in the country by 247 Sports and 30th in the Rivals 300. He was selected to play in the Under Armour All-American game in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Redfield was recruited by most of the top ranked football teams across the country. He committed to Southern Cal in November of 2012. During the Fighting Irish’s run to an undefeated regular season, Redfield decommitted from Southern Cal and committed to the Fighting Irish at the end of the recruiting season.

During Max’s freshman season, he played in 12 games, starting one. He saw lot of action on special teams and played sparingly at safety. His sophomore season played out better for Max. He played in all 13 games and started in 11. Max was second on the team in tackles with 68. He also had an interception and two passes broken up.

In the Michigan game, Max had six tackles and recorded his first interception. He had a career high ten tackles against North Carolina and Arizona State. The highlight to his season was 14 tackles in the Fighting Irish victory against L.S.U. in the Music City Bowl.

Max did suffer disappointment late in the season when he did not start in November games against Northwestern and Louisville. Both Max and strong safety Elijah Schumate were told by the coaching staff that they were not communicating well. Both worked on their communication before the Music City Bowl and it showed in the Fighting Irish’s win.

An article on Max Redfield would be incomplete if it did not mention his school life. Max majors in International Relations and minors in Chinese as he has always had an interest in China and its language. Even more interesting is that Max has interest in working for the CIA and maybe in counterterrorism. It would really get interesting if he has great seasons in his junior and senior years and becomes too well known to work in the CIA.

During spring practice and now in fall practices, the coaching staff has commended Max for improved communication. They have also been impressed with his improved knowledge of the defense. That, combined with his speed and athleticism, could make him a major player on the Fighting Irish defense. If this five-start athlete has the kind of season that many expect, he may have to delay his career in the CIA. The NFL may come calling.