Notre Dame lands 2020 Defensive End from Germany
By Carlee North
Notre Dame made a bit of an international splash on the recruiting trail.
The defensive line keeps getting better for the Irish. Thursday night, Strong side defensive end Alexander Ehrensberger pulled the trigger and committed to Notre Dame. He was offered by the Irish back in November while he was on an unofficial visit to campus. After that, I think he was going to find it very difficult to not to choose Notre Dame. Also, before his commitment last night, defensive line coach Mike Elston took a nice trip acrossed the pond to Germany for a visit which absolutely helped seal the deal.
Amazing to have @NDFootball coach @CoachMikeElston visit me at the @PPIRecruits home in Germany! All I ever wanted was these Europeans to have an opportunity and with a Power house like ND in Europe is the next step! Thank You Coach for believing in our kids @FootballScoop pic.twitter.com/EJRs4wexBK
— Brandon Collier (@BCollierPPI) January 29, 2019
Ehrensberger doesn’t have many offers in his pocket right now, but there were a ton of big time programs who were taking a very close look at the German defensive end. In the end, he wanted to end his recruitment, not wait for anymore offers and be in South Bend starting next season. The Irish jumped on him very early and it’s paid off.
My decision is made!
— Alexander Ehrensberger (@Ehrensberger_) January 31, 2019
100% committed!🙏🏼☘️💪🏼#GoIrish @CoachBrianKelly @CoachMikeElston @aarynkearney @PPIRecruits @BCollier56 pic.twitter.com/73DkbpVL7T
What will Ehrensberger bring to South Bend?
At 6’7″, 235 pounds, Ehrensberger is very athletic for his size. He’s extremely long and should fill out great once he gets with Matt Balis in the weight room. I can’t tell you how much I love hearing about recruits that have non-stop motors and work extremely hard every snap. Every coach raves about his motor and how aggressive he is. That’s exactly what you want to hear about a defensive end.
For his size, you really don’t expect him to be super quick and have the best reaction time, but his first step once the ball is snapped is great and he has good closing speed once he gets around the corner.
Yes, he’s still raw and has a lot of room for improving his technique, but he has through-the-roof potential.
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With Ehrensberger now committed to the Irish, he’s the first defensive commit in the class. He joins quarterback Drew Pyne along with tight ends Michael Mayer and Kevin Bauman. Irish fans shouldn’t have much worry at all when it comes to the recruiting on the defensive line. The staff knows the defensive line is what you need to be elite and they are focusing on that on the recruiting trail.