Notre Dame Football Recruiting: Donte Vaughn Commits To Notre Dame
By Andrew Hall
Whitehaven (TN) Cornerback Donte Vaughn selected Notre Dame over in-state power Tennessee
On Monday, Memphis native Donte Vaughn selected the Irish over the Volunteers. Vaughn represents the 16th commitment in the 2016 class. Vaughn brings excellent size and versatility to the Notre Dame secondary.
The Whitehaven High School product measures 6’3″ and weighs in at 192 lbs. Regardless of whether he plays Cornerback or Safety in college, Vaughn possesses a rare combination of size, length and speed.
Vaughn held offers from Arkansas State, Auburn, Cincinnati, Indiana, LSU, Memphis, Miami (FL), Middle Tennessee State, Mississippi State, Missouri, North Carolina, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt and West Virginia.
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The 247Sports Composite, a combination of all recruiting service rankings, lists Vaughn as the 306th prospect as well as the 28th Cornerback. They also rate him as a 4-star prospect. On an individual basis, Rivals ranks him as 18th Safety and a 4-star prospect. ESPN rates him a 4-star recruit and has them in the ESPN300 at 300th.
Regardless of what recruiting analysts think of Vaughn, the 6’3″ Defensive Back is an excellent pickup for the Irish. He held offers from Auburn, LSU, Miami (FL), Mississippi State, Tennessee and Texas A&M.
Additionally, Vaughn gives Notre Dame great flexibility for the remainder of the recruiting process. With his ability to play three positions on the next the level (Free Safety, Strong Safety or Cornerback), the Irish coaching staff can take a commitment from a Cornerback or Safety and not worry about the numbers of either position.
Currently, Notre Dame holds commitments from Defensive Backs Jalen Elliot, Julian Love, D.J. Morgan, Spencer Perry and Donte Vaughn. The Irish need help at the Safety spot desperately. Elliot and Love are most likely Cornerbacks at the next level. D.J. Morgan and Spencer Perry are Safeties. Another commitment could shift where Vaughn starts out in college.