Prospect Evaluation: Notre Dame Prospect Max Redfield

Oct. 13, 2012; South Bend, IN, USA; General view of the Notre Dame campus as ESPN Gameday is broadcast before the game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Stanford Cardinal at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-US PRESSWIRE

Redfield is still committed to USC. He is ranked 31st overall in the nation according to Rivals.com and the 3rd ranked defensive back in the country. He visited Notre Dame last Saturday when the Irish took on Stanford and what a time it was to visit. Redfield said he was very surprised how much he enjoyed his visit to Notre Dame. He commented on the atmosphere and campus itself. As many recruits say about Notre Dame you just have to be there to know what it is all about. Lou Holtz once said, “If you were there, no explanation is necessary. If you weren’t, no explanation is satisfactory” when asked to describe the mystique of Notre Dame.

Strengths

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.

Weaknesses

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.