Notre Dame Recruiting: Big Commitment And Offer Over The Weekend

Notre Dame had a big weekend in recruiting.

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Notre Dame received their 12th commitment this weekend when 6’5, 305-pound John Dirksen gave his pledge to staff on Saturday. The Fighting Irish have had an immaculate start to the 2018 recruiting cycle, which is somewhat surprising after a shocking 4-8 season.

John Dirksen chose the Irish over offers from Iowa State, Kentucky, Michigan State, Northwestern and Boston College. Dirksen plays Division 6 Ohio football for Marion Local High School who won the state championship last year, giving them 5 titles over the last 6 years.

Interesting note – last year’s championship put Marion Local tied for second place for all-time Division 6 Ohio championships next to Archbishop Moeller, former school of Irish DT Elijah Taylor. St. Ignatius holds first place and is the former school of Irish OL Liam Eichenberg.

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John Dirksen wasn’t available for comment as he doesn’t typically speak to the media. I was able to dig up an article by Sonny Fulks of Press Pros Magazine from the summer of 2015, who spoke to Dirksen in the past to find out his particulars.

Dirksen told Fulks, “I come from a family of big people.  My uncles are pretty intimidating…bigger than me.”

Fulks reported that Dirksen, a freshman at the time, already resembled a college offensive lineman and raved about his athleticism. That was some time ago and it’s evident on film that Dirksen has continued his trend of dominance.

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Dirksen holds a four-star status with some recruiting agencies despite missing most of his junior season after suffering a leg injury during a week 3 matchup with Coldwater, per Dayton Daily News..

John Dirksen gives Harry Heistand a big-bodied offensive lineman who I believe could play both tackle and guard at the college level. This is always a bonus for an offensive line coach and his versatility to move inside should help him see the field on an offensive line that boasts many talented tackles.

Also on the weekend, the Irish offered Maryland defensive tackle Ja’mion Franklin who had been on their radar for quite some time.

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Despite flying way under-the-radar, ranked as only a two-star by some services, Franklin has told me in the past that he hears from Mike Elston, Mike Elko and other staff members regularly.

Ja’mion Franklin boasts a high GPA and is certainly a high-character kid who shows some dominant traits on the football field. He’s earned offers from Boston College, Duke, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Navy, Northwestern, Rutgers, Syracuse, Temple, Vanderbilt, Virginia and Wake Forest.

Franklin has expressed a great deal of admiration for the University of Notre Dame. He is passionate not only about football, but about getting a great education and is more than aware of what a Notre Dame degree can do for him.

It will be interesting to see what happens going forward. I wouldn’t be surprised if Franklin committed to Notre Dame soon after talking things over with his parents, as he just arrived home yesterday. I spoke with him briefly and he maintained that he had “an amazing time.”

I could also see him waiting to see what other offers may come as he has visited Clemson for their Junior Day and although he walked away without an offer, he told me he very much enjoyed that trip as well.

That being said, I feel good about where Notre Dame sits with him and I’d be a little surprised if he didn’t give Brian Kelly his signature on Signing Day.