This afternoon Plant City, Florida offensive lineman Jordan Prestwood committed to Brian Kelly, becoming the second recruit to verbally commit to Notre Dame. Prestwood is an elite offensive tackle prospect, with offers from coast to coast, including Alabama, Florida, and USC.
The 6-foot-6, 270-pound offensive tackle had this to say during his press conference today.
“Coach Kelly is outstanding. Coach Alford did a great job recruiting me. Dave Peloquin gave me an unbelievable tour of Notre Dame. The entire staff is top notch and Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick is incredible. Notre Dame is the whole package.”
Prestwood joins Ohio defensive end Brad Carrico in the 2011 recruiting class, adding a much needed offensive lineman to the fold. Prestwood visited Notre Dame last week unofficially, the third time he’s visited the campus, but only the first time he’d met Kelly and offensive line coach Ed Warinner.
Prestwood made it clear that the decision was final.
“The recruiting process is over for me,” he said. “This is more than a verbal commitment. My decision is final. I will not be recruited anymore.”
Before announcing his choice, Prestwood took the time to thank the coaches that recruited him at Alabama, South Carolina, Florida, Auburn, Florida State, USC and Central Florida, giving everyone an idea of just how big of a get this is for Kelly and the Irish staff.
Prestwood’s athleticism seems impressive, especially considering he played his sophomore season as a 6-foot-4, 185-pound tight end, before gaining 60 pounds during offseason work before his junior season. Prestwood’s high school coach, Jason Strunk, raved about his prized athlete’s transformation to IrishSportsDaily.com.
“He’s always been an athlete,” Strunk told ISD. “From day one he was an athlete. He’s grown into his body now. I’ve repeatedly said he’s the best recruit in Florida because there is no 6-6, 273-pound kid running bubble screens, blocking kids half his size in space and all those other things. No other kid in the state of Florida is doing that other than Jordan.”
It’s a scary thought picturing a guy that big catching bubble screens and running fades. It’s that athleticism that likely attracted attention from coaches across the country. All in all, a great addition to the Irish recruiting class, and another impressive job by recruiting ace Tony Alford.