Zionsville (Ind.) Saturday’s verbal engagement Senior offensive lineman Joey Tanona is the first for Notre Dame in the 2022 draft cycle.
It also happened before his junior year in high school, no matter the senior campaign. It is the sixth consecutive initial commitment to do this before taking a snap as a junior, but that’s what has sped up the recruiting schedule in the past decade.
Here’s a synopsis of every prospect that broke the recruiting ice for Notre Dame in a new cycle.
2021: quarterback Tyler Buchner – March 18, 2019
California’s 50-100 prospect became the third quarterback in four years to be the initial verbal promise of a Fighting Irish class. With California high school soccer closed until at least December, Buchner will have to make the decision to enroll in early January.
2020: Quarterback Drew Pyne – April 16, 2018
Not only was it the first engagement for 2020, but the Connecticut native also became the first Irish participant early in January as a quarterback since Malik Zaire in 2013. Pyne will compete for No. 2 role this year with sophomores Brendon Clark.
2019: Defensive Tackle Jacob Lacey – July 29, 2017
An early participant in January 2019, Kentucky produce was one of three first-year regulars in the 22-man class, joining gambler Jay Bramblett and security Kyle Hamilton. He played 247 punches at the nose tackle while helping to remove some of the load and then junior Kurt Hinish (433 snapshots).
2018: quarterback Phil Jurkovec – May 16, 2016
Also a basketball player from across the state in Pennsylvania, the Top-100 prospect was billed as Notre Dame’s next big hit as a quarterback, but she chose to transfer to Boston College this January after seeing limited cleaning service in its first two seasons.
2017: Tight End Brock Wright – June 27, 2015
Top-ranked prospect in class – No. 44 nationwide by rivals – Texas resident and current senior played in the shadow of a classmate Cole Kmet, who was the third to commit in this class and was an NFL second-round pick this spring as a junior.
2016: Offensive Lineman Tommy Kraemer – Oct 5, 2014
The only unanimous Notre Dame Topre 100 prospect in this class for each of the top four recruitment points. From Ohio, former tackle and now right guard Kraemer is online to start a fourth season in a row, but it is the first time he has answered the bell in every game during the season.
2015: Defensive Tackle Jerry Tillery – June 23, 2013
Originally recruited as a left tackle on offense, there was also a popular notion that the coveted Louisiana prospect would switch to LSU in the state. He stayed true to his word, signed up in January 2015, became a co-starter at nose tackle as a freshman, and eventually the first Irish defensive first-line combat lineman in 22 years.
2014: Linebacker Greer Martini – July 4, 2012
From North Carolina, the highly versatile figure won a senior captaincy and ended his career with 190 tackles, with 14.5 behind the scrimmage line (five sacks).
2013: Offensive Lineman Steve Elmer – September 18, 2011
A brilliant student made the Dean’s List in his first semester as a participant early in January, and was a rare freshman starter in several games along the offensive line. He also started in 2014 and 2015, graduated early, and chose not to return to his senior year while pursuing a professional career beyond soccer.
2012: Cornerback Tee Shepard – March 3, 2011
The Top-100 prospect in Fresno, California, enrolled in January but had to drop out of school two months later due to a problem with a standardized test score. He enrolled in a high school before transferring to Ole Miss, but a hearing impairment ended his soccer days.
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2011: Defensive Lineman Brad Carrico – March 21, 2010
He moved to the offensive line his first year, but the football career ended before his second season due to chronic foot problems, transferring his scholarship to medical difficulty.
