Troy Niklas Adds to DL Haul
The rich got richer among Notre Dame’s position groups in this year’s class on Wednesday when California native and LA Times Lineman of the Year Troy Niklas committed to Notre Dame over rival USC.
Niklas, a four star recruit from Servite High School, adds even more versatility to a group of recruits already capable of playing multiple positions. Notre Dame listed Niklas as a TE/DL on the official release today, but he has the size to grow into an offensive tackle as well if he moves to the offensive side of the line.
Niklas’s addition was a bit of a surprise on Wednesday as most felt USC would end up adding Niklas to their already strong recruiting class. After visiting Notre Dame this weekend, however, Niklas decided South Bend was where he wanted to continue his career.
Like many of the recruits in this year’s class, Niklas is a versatile athlete who can play multiple positions. USC was recruiting him as an OT, Stanford as a TE, and Notre Dame as a DE.
With Niklas on board, Notre Dame has six players capable of playing along the defensive line in this class along with Aaron Lynch, Stephon Tuitt, Chase Hounshell, Brad Carrico, and Tony Springmann. Of the group, the only sure bets to stay on defense at this point are Lynch and Tuitt, but Notre Dame coaches strongly indicated Wednesday they also recruited Hounshell to play defense.
Considering Notre Dame only signed three true offensive linemen in this class, the excess at defensive end could end up making the offensive line class much stronger than it appears as of now.
Niklas also gives Notre Dame three recruits out of California this year joining the Atkinson twins.
Frank Vitovitch has been Co-Owner and Editor in Chief of UHND.com since joining forces with Kyle Flavin in 1999. Since that time, he has written over 2,000 articles covering Notre Dame football, recruiting, and basketball. He also works with all staff and external writers on all articles published on UHND.com. Frank's love for Notre Dame football started at a young age watching Rocket Ismail give opposing coaches ulcers in the late 1980's. By day Frank works in marketing and holds a degree in Digital Media from Drexel University. Frank's work has been cited by online/print editions of NBC Sports, ESPN, and Sports Illustrated and has been quoted on air by ESPN's Collin Cowherd. He's conducted interviews with Notre Dame legends Rocket Ismail, Randy Kinder, Lee Becton, Reggie Brooks, Michael Stonebreaker, and Ned Bolcar among others over his 20+ years of covering Notre Dame football. He's also been published in the print edition of USA Today Sports Weekly and the USA Today College Football Preview multiple times. Other Published Works/Citations for Frank Three Reasons Notre Dame Will Beat Alabama - USA Today Notre Dame Suspends WR Kevin Stepherson, RB C.J. Holmes Indefinitely - Bleacher Report Notre Dame / Ohio State Fiesta Bowl Preview - Eleven Warriors Brace Yourself: The Fighting Irish are Relevant Again - Sports on Earth Interviews with the Enemy: A Q&A with Frank Vitovitch of UHND - Yahoo! Sports Five Good Minutes: Notre Dame Football Preview With UHND.com - BC Interruption Vicious Electronic Questioning with UHND - MGO Blog
Pay Day is coming very soon. Opponents will soon rue the day as the Irish defense is reawakened. And best of all- Mark ‘The Oneonta Oaf’ will just die when Coach Holtz delivers Irish victory news after Irish victory news!
Although we may have to wait another year or two to see to see the results, kudos to Kelly for finding the bricks for a bigger, stronger, faster defense. When these kids have a year or two of strength and conditioning it could be scary. We already look better late in the fourth quarter and late in the season, I for one can’t wait to see what will happen when you add these athletes and some experience to that mix.
It’s no secret to any ND fan that for the last ten years ND’s defensive line got bullied alot, and the corners were routinely outmatched by big athletic receivers and physical tight ends. Kelly got bigger kids with wide frames that will not be intimidated at the point of attack, outmuscled for a reception, or have to run around lead blockers and hope for the best. While the four and five stars might not mean much in a year from today the extra speed they bring over the average power recruit does.
Add the position flexibility these athletes bring to the roster and you have to like the direction of this program – this is not your daddy’s Rich Rodriguez.
I graduated Notre Dame in 1981 in the day when no one wanted to play against Notre Dame’s defense. I for one will welcome the return of that day. My hat’s off to Kelly and his staff for what looks to be fine work.