What Brenan Vernon brings to the Notre Dame Football program
By Carlee North
![Sep 14, 2019; South Bend, IN, USA; The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are reflected in a helmet as they sing the Notre Dame Alma Mater following the win over the New Mexico Lobos at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports Sep 14, 2019; South Bend, IN, USA; The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are reflected in a helmet as they sing the Notre Dame Alma Mater following the win over the New Mexico Lobos at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/f7916f909ebd0bf3fcc8349f54e9148f0e33313802c7660f0150e58607355c4a.jpg)
The Notre Dame Football program landed a monster prospect for their 2023 recruiting class, as Brenan Vernon committed on Tuesday to the Irish.
Well, I’d say this is a huge Tuesday evening! Notre Dame football has just landed 2023 5-star Ohio defensive end Brenan Vernon, the second commit this week for the 2023 class, and they couldn’t be bigger additions. The Irish have bolstered the defensive line in a big way, first with Keon Keeley, and now with Vernon.
Vernon has been to campus a few times recently and honestly, it oozed out of him when he talked about Notre Dame football, and how much he loved the campus, the staff, and everything about the school. The relationships were so big here, with defensive end coach Mike Elston leading the way.
Having Marcus Freeman clearly doesn’t hurt either, and they locked this one up very early. These are the type of players that will get you to the next level, and Freeman and the staff just went into Ohio State territory and plucked him right from the Buckeyes. At the moment, Vernon has 13 offers from the likes of Alabama, Penn State, Ohio State, and many other big-time programs.
What does Brenan Vernon bring to the Notre Dame Football program?
The 6’5 245 defensive end is going to bring physicality and massive power. His size is already tremendous, and his arm length is exactly what you look for at the big end position. He’s very effective in the run game because of those reasons above, and he’s only going to continue growing and expanding on his technique.
He moves very well for his size and has great side to side lateral movement. His change of direction is impressive, and with someone that already possesses that type of size and strength, that’s a lethal combination.
His love for the game of football gets overshadowed because of his physical stature and the tools he already possesses, but his high energy and motor are such a big attribute for someone at the defensive end position. He’s a prototype player you want on your team, there’s no doubt about it.
With Vernon making it public, the 2023 class now has two commits, with both being on the defensive line. You can’t really express how massive this get is for Notre Dame and the staff, let’s be honest.
Going head to head with Ohio State, for a five-star player that grew up a Buckeye fan and that’s from Ohio rarely, if ever, happens and Notre Dame got it done.
It can’t be said enough what mindset new defense coordinator Marcus Freeman has brought to South Bend and it’s showing massively in the recruiting universe. The momentum is building and I can’t wait to see what this staff does next.