Notre Dame Football: D-Line Recruit Donovan Jeter Brings Needed Help

As the Notre Dame football defense continues to try to find itself, here’s a look at the Fighting Irish’s latest recruit, defensive tackle/end Donovan Jeter.

Jeter – a 4-star recruit from Beaver Falls High School in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania – is 6’5” and 255 lbs. He was listed as the 8th best player in Pennsylvania and 15th best defensive tackle by 247 Sports and the 14th best defensive tackle by Rivals.

You can tell he is a 4-star recruit by the schools Jeter turned down when he gave his verbal commitment to Notre Dame. He chose the Fighting Irish over Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan, Tennessee, Georgia, Stanford, Miami, Penn State, and Pitt.  Irish fans have to feel good about his rejecting some of these football powers.

As late as two months ago, Jeter did not have Notre Dame in his final five schools. Kurt Hinish, a Notre Dame recruit and a 3-star defensive tackle from Pittsburgh, kept talking to him about the advantages of attending Notre Dame.

Hinish also pleaded with Jeter to visit the campus. Jeter finally scheduled an official visit for the Michigan State game and was so impressed with every aspect of Notre Dame that he gave his verbal commit a few days later. Hinish is to be commended for his persistence in recruiting Jeter.  It’s great to see committed players recruit others on their own.

An interesting aspect about Jeter is that he lost about 50 pounds between his Junior and Senior years, which is an indicator of his strong self-control. His growth over the next few years will determine whether he plays defensive tackle or end.

Besides his power, Jeter is noted for athleticism, as he led his basketball team to a WPIAL state championship this past spring. The Notre Dame football coaches, strength coaches, and nutritionist will probably have to collaborate on what amount of weight is best for his frame. He looks to be a great addition no matter what his playing weight will be.

Donovan Jeter is the fifth recruit in the 2017 class from western Pennsylvania. They include Hinish and linebacker Dave Adams from Pittsburgh Central Catholic, offensive tackle Robert Hainsey who is from the Pittsburgh area, but is playing for IMG Academy in Bradeton, Florida, and offensive guard Joshua Lugg from North Allegheny High School in Wexford, Pennsylvania.

Western Pennsylvania has been very good to the Fighting Irish in this current 2017 class, but more importantly, is the fact that Jeter appears to be a potential star for a Notre Dame defense which is badly in need of some help on the line.

The fighting Irish are in desperation mode defensively as this season’s defensive statistics suggest. I believe defense will be the focal point for the remainder of the 2017 class with great emphasis also put on top quality defensive players for the 2018 class.

Notre Dame now has four verbal commitments for the 2017 class who are defensive linemen.  The others are Hinish, Jonathan MacAllister, and Darnel Ewell.  The Fighting Irish look to add at least one more recruit for the defensive line.