Photo by Jared Purcell / MLive.com
Irish fans: You thought spelling Prosise or Clausen was difficult?
Let me introduce you to 17-year-old Adetokunbo Ogundeji (pronounced Ah-day-too-kun-boh Oh-gun-day-shee)
Ogundeji, from Walled Lake, Mich., is a 6-foot-5, 215-pound defensive end and three star prospect, according to both Scout and 247Sports. Allen Trieu, Scout’s national recruiting analyst, urges Irish fans to be patient with the teenager nicknamed “Ade”:
He will need some time, but there are definitely raw tools to work with and he’s a smart, coachable kid who we’ve already seen improve a lot over the course of an offseason. A year or two in a college strength program and he could easily add 40-50 pounds and maybe more by the time he’s done in South Bend.
Bob Meyer, Ogundeji’s coach at Walled Lake Central, praised his player for being “explosive off the ball” and having “great hand work.” Those who watched him at The Opening in Columbus and at Notre Dame’s camp in June noted similar attributes.
For his part, Ogundeji knows there’s still much to learn. He told ND Insider:
I understand that I’m a raw person, but I think I just need to work on my upside — getting stronger and bigger. … I know I’m a long person, and most of the time I’m just going into the offensive line and not knowing that I can use my hands to keep them off me. I need to use my hands much better.
Ogundeji suffered a partially torn MCL in his right knee, ending his senior season after just four games. The teenager engaged in extensive rehab instead of surgery under the supervision of his father, a physical therapist. He was recently cleared to resume football activities.
Ogundeji committed in February to Western Michigan, but re-opened his commitment after receiving offers from Oregon, Notre Dame, Cal and Toledo, among others.
He committed to the Irish in mid-July and is one of three defensive ends in the Class of 2016. Isaac Rochell, the Irish’s top remaining defensive lineman, has one year of eligibility remaining. Other DEs include: Andrew Trumbetti, Grant Blankenship, Doug Randolph and Jonathan Bonner.
More:
Irish Illustrated: In the film room…Adetokunbo Ogundeji
Notre Dame graduate, class of '02 (the Davie years!). A former newspaper and TV reporter, andrewwinn is now professionally involved in something far less fun to discuss than college football. A dad, a husband and a wannabe data nerd.
Read all posts by andrewwinn
Follow @HLS_NDtex
- In Kelly-Harbaugh Recruit Fight, It’s Tied - January 19, 2017
- Catching Up With Matt Fortuna (Part 2) - January 6, 2017
- Catching Up With Matt Fortuna - January 5, 2017
