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The biggest need in almost any recruiting cycle for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is along the defensive line. The Irish filled a big need today when Darnell Ewell signed his letter of intent to attend Notre Dame.
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Ewell verbally committed to the Irish back in July as the number 10 ranked defensive tackle in the country and chose the Irish over programs like the Clemson Tigers, Ohio State Buckeyes, Michigan Wolverines, and Alabama Crimson Tide. That’s kind of a big deal.
As impressive as it is to get a player like Darnell Ewell over some of those programs that were just mentioned, it is more impressive that Notre Dame was able to go into the Tidewater region of Virginia and sign a player of his caliber. That area is known to produce GREAT athletes like Michael Vick, Allen Iverson, and others and if Notre Dame can get in that area a little more, we may see a vast improvement across the board.
Ewell is an extremely impressive player from a pure strength standpoint, and is still growing from his 6’4, 295 pound frame. He holds the point of attack very well, and can be an effective pass rusher up the gut as well as being an animal against the run.
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Notre Dame absolutely needs to improve along the defensive line. Even with the return of Jerry Tillery and possibly a healthy Daniel Cage, Darnell Ewell can see and will most likely see time this year for Notre Dame. No one is expecting greatness from the start, but in all honesty, there may be greatness just a year or two down the line.