Los Gatos (California) high school three-star linebacker / defensive end Sil Schweitzer is the latest class of 2021 yards dedicated to Notre Dame. The 6-4, 210-pound was previously committed to Nebraska, but had a change of heart following a recent offer from the Fighting Irish. He announced his de-Engagement on Sunday and shortly thereafter went public with his pledge to Notre Dame.
Notre Dame did an excellent job with Schweitzer, who visited on August 10th. The visit was held under wraps because of his commitment, but the staff had recruited him for much longer and offered that before he stepped on campus. Notre Dame special teams coordinator Brian Polian had already been to school and has had multiple conversations with the West Coast talent. When the Irish offered again, something that was kept quiet, it was for Schweitzer essentially a no-brainer.
Schweitzer took a secret, during the radar visit to Notre Dame on August 10. Notre Dame offered him just that and told him that he really should come to campus and check it out. Schweitzer wasted no time getting on campus after the good news. He went on that journey in the knowledge that if it went as expected, his recruitment point was about to change. That’s exactly what happened. Schweitzer visited campus, absolutely loved it, and did not forget to tell Notre Dame’s coaches that he was flipping his commitment to fighting Irish. Irish Illustrated was informed of his decision on the day and we were fully prepared for that engagement on Tuesday. Schweitzer had a pledge chart in hand at the end of the day and the rest of us could lie back and relax knowing that we would bring good news to Fighting Irish fans by the end of the week.
Back on June 11, Schweitzer addressed Nebraska about scholarship offers from schools like Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, Boise State, Cal, Colorado, Duke, Kansas State, Michigan State, Oregon State, Syracuse, TCU, Virginia and Washington State plus Ivy League schools. Cal was the observed team to hit for a while, but things started trending toward the Huskers just before his announcement. From what we can gather at Irish Illustrated, Notre Dame recently offered and it was a game-changer for Schweitzer. This was an offer he wanted for a very long time and when it came, it was just one of those offers he could not say no to.
Sources from Irish Illustrated have learned that Polian, coach of defensive line Mike Elston and defensive coordinator Clark Lea all played a major role in the landing of Schweitzer. They evaluated him for a while, kept in touch with him through his entire recruitment, were open and honest from day one, and ended the job ready with a strong recruitment effort in the line. From what we have learned, Notre Dame is fired over this pickup because of its upside and potential for some physical growth.
Schweitzer is a versatile, athletic defensive prospect who can run well, get to the quarterback, play multiple positions and is always around the ball. As a junior, he picked up 130 total tackles, nine for a loss, three interceptions and two sacks. That came after a sophomore campaign where he had 88 tackles, 11 for a loss and four sacks.
For 247Sports, Schweitzer is the no. 31 outside linebacker in America and the no. 41 prospect in California of the class of 2021. The 247Sports Composite Rankings rated him somewhat lower in both categories than the no. 35-talent at his position and no. 48 objective of his home state.
Schweitzer’s 247Sports Scouting Report was written by 247Sports National Analyst Brandon Huffman, who compares the talented defensive perspective with Vince Biegel of the Los Angeles Chargers.
‘A bit of a tweener, it does not have the weight to be a defensive end, but has the passing raging ability to get up from the edge and get to the quarterback, while also falling into cover to get tight ends and backs cover. Can also play inside, physically at the point of attack and can hit the ball carrier. Moves well in space and occupies a lot of ground. Active hands and can cover passes in parts. Need to continue adding weight and strength. Projects as a multi-year Power 5 starter and potential NFL draft pick.”
