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Originally posted by ResLife Hero
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PSU and Stanford. -
My understanding of the rule is that they just don't hold your spot. So you can stay committed and take visits, but run the risk of losing your spot.Originally posted by NDCrusader View PostComment
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Last I could think of but thought there had to be more.Originally posted by Southside Sully View Post
Well that's no biggie for him. He's the top of ND's realistic board regardless of the service rankings. Nothing to do here except wait it out on PSU, Stanford plus UGA and Bama when they offer... and they will.Originally posted by Luckylucci View PostComment
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KJ just wants to go on those visits to negative recruit for Notre Dame.Comment
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I'd also add that there are a lot of prospects that have talked about taking visits to other programs, post commitment. That never end up taking those. Kevin Austin last cycle was one example. Maybe that'll be the case here.Comment
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Is it safe to assume he didn't make it on his visit this weekend? Nothing above tells me he did or didn't. Just wanted to knowComment
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He decided not to visit in order to attend the Opening regional in Tennessee. The staff was awareOriginally posted by NDMIA View PostComment
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He balled out there. MVP of DB's at the event.Comment
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listening to blue and gold podcast...he hasn't committed to actually taking more visits to other schools. he also stated that all schools have backed off since committing to NDEMPTY SPACE WAITING FOR THE NEXT HOT TAKEComment
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I assume he means the other teams aren’t pushing as hard. No good recruiter is just going to back off because a kid committed elsewhere.Originally posted by PANDFAN View Post60% of the time, it works every time.Comment
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">KJ Wallace is working overtime this off-season to refine his game. <br><br>Former NFL CB Justin Miller, who trains the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Irish?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Irish</a> CB commit, sees an elite DB in Wallace. (VIP)<a href="https://t.co/5gMWajoYvU">https://t.co/5gMWajoYvU</a> <a href="https://t.co/3EdUrHjgb8">pic.twitter.com/3EdUrHjgb8</a></p>— Kevin Sinclair (@KevinSinclair_) <a href="https://twitter.com/KevinSinclair_/status/997508685181042690?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Anyone heard if he is setting up visits elsewhere?Comment
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Lol seems totally random and paranoid.Originally posted by NDIrish88 View PostI DON'T POST A LOT AROUND HERE...BUT WHEN I DO, IT'S USUALLY NON-VALUE ADDED.Comment
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They were talking about it on the Power Hour podcast.Originally posted by beryirish View PostComment
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they are hoping a summer visit to ND might be a good idea to keep his commitment strongOriginally posted by NDIrish88 View PostWhat did Davonte do?Comment
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There was talk that he'd visit some other places then it died down.
As far as being paranoid, if I was asked to pick a '19 player to be worried about, I'd have come to this thread first.Comment
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https://247sports.com/college/notre-...ace-119835885/
Notre Dame has quality talent at cornerback currently but stocking the shelves in the 2018 and 2019 classes was crucial. K.J. Wallace was a big part of that effort.
Possibly the most well-rounded addition of the 2018 – 2019 cornerback group (assuming he signs this winter), Wallace is said to have taken a big step forward in his development during this off-season.
The four-star Lovett School star visited Notre Dame recently, getting connected with the incoming freshman as they arrived in South Bend, and re-connecting with coach Todd Lyght and Brian Kelly.
To talk off-season training, look back on his recruitment, his commitment, discuss his fellow Irish commitments, and more, Wallace linked-up with Kevin Sinclair for a Q&A.
Sinclair: Early in your recruitment, it was often discussed that you were an old friend and former teammate of Derrik Allen. Can you explain your connection to Derrik?
Wallace: “I met Derrik when I was six. Him and his family. We both played ball at the same organization. He was always a year ahead of me. We’ve known each other from there. We were both really good back then, both running around the edge, scoring touchdowns. We’ve come to know each other from there.
“It’s a really good association. Now that I think about it; me, Derrik Allen, Trevor Lawrence, and a few other kids actually played in that same little league, little team. It’s cool. And Minnesota (freshman running back) Noland Edmonds. We all played on the same little league team. I was a year younger.”
Sinclair: During the time Notre Dame offered you, which wasn’t long before you committed, which programs were recruiting you consistently around that time – December - January?
Wallace: “I’d say Penn State, Stanford, Auburn, Cal for sure, and a little bit of Florida.”
“I’m not really big on social media. That’s probably why (people didn’t realize who was recruiting me).”
Sinclair: Your Junior Day visit in January seemed to seal-the-deal for you. How would you explain the basis of your commitment?
Wallace: “I’ve been to a lot of places. It was just a different feeling. I’ve been to almost every SEC school. I’ve been out West. I’ve been out to Texas, not to the schools but that state and saw everything they’ve got going on. I mean, it was like I didn’t feel like I was going to get a better deal of big-time football and academics and a lot of connections, a lot of people there to help you out. I was just, like, ‘I might as well. This is it right here.’
Sinclair: Todd Lyght is clearly leading your recruitment. What are your thoughts on coach Lyght? Is his background something that stands out to you?
Wallace: “Yeah, actually, because it’s one thing to teach me something, but it’s another thing if you’ve done it. You know what I’m saying? So, you literally know what you’re talking about. There’s a lot of coaches down here that stopped playing football in high school or middle school and it’s like, ‘OK, you may know the scheme, but you don’t know physically what I’m doing with my body.’ If he knows the ins-and-outs of something, I can tell him about it, and he can relate to it.
“On top of that, he’s just a good guy. He and my pops hang out all the time when they get a chance. They have a good relationship. He’s a cool guy. Definitely someone I can relate to and play for, for four years.”
Sinclair: This off-season, there’s been talk of you up-ing your game. What areas would you say you’ve improved?
Wallace: “My footwork and just the ins-and-outs of the position. Every time I go to workout or do a drill, I know what it’s supposed to feel like. I know what it’s supposed to look like. How my body weight is supposed to be shifted, I’m fine-tuning my body. I don’t really know how to describe it, but it’s kind of like this thing where I’m trying to be as perfect as possible on every single rep I do. And really, I’m working on my mentality. This year, it’s about dominating. There’s been times, and I think every player goes through it, where you say, ‘I can’t have that.’ I just can’t have that this year.
“I’m just working on my mentality and just fine-tuning my body as a DB. And I’m also just getting faster. You can never be too fast. “
Sinclair: With yourself, Derrik Allen, and Kyle Hamilton; there’s a lot of excitement around a possible Atlanta-area pipeline to Notre Dame. Do you see this being a trend, in that, do you think ND will continue to draw talent from the Atlanta-area, particularly the prep schools?
Wallace: “Yeah, because it’s like a direct transition in that school is hard here and school is going to be hard there. The football is good here. The football is going to be good there. So, I can see how a lot of kids from Atlanta, especially us, going up there because it’s like, ‘oh, I’m used to this.’
“Not even just prep schools, either. I feel like there’s a lot of good schools in Atlanta, public and private, and I just feel like there’s a lot of kids attracted to (Notre Dame).”
Sinclair: You’ve competed against Kyle Hamilton, you two are friends, and you face-off in the season opener. I remember you telling me about him way before he blew up nationally. What are your thoughts on Kyle at the safety position? What stands out about him?
Wallace: “That’s my boy. He is a dog. The best way to describe Kyle is untapped potential – because, I mean, you’re talking about a guy who is just raw. He has never really been to a technique guy, a DB coach, things like that. Yet, he works out himself. When this guy gets some coaching, I feel like he’s League-bound. He’s got the size. He’s got the talent. He can put on weight and play outside linebacker. He can put on 15 pounds and be a killer safety. I really think he’s got a lot of upside. I think he’s got the most upside out of most of the DB’s in our class. It’s a good look for him.”
Sinclair: My last question; what are your thoughts on the Notre Dame 2019 class? What sticks out when you look at the class from top-to-bottom.
Wallace: “I think what I’m most excited about is how similar we are as people. It’s kind of funny. We’re all goofy kids, honestly. We all joke around in our group chat. I know we’ll all be up there for the Michigan game. We’re just a bunch of regular kids who like to play football, really. We all love the game. We all joke about the same things, girls, Fortnite, food, whatever. I think it’s going to be fun. I think over the course of our college careers, we’ll become brothers. I can feel it. We’re pretty close already, and that’s just over a recruit-chat. I think something good is to come.”Comment
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">SIGNED: Georgia CB KJ Wallace has sent his National Letter of Intent to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Notre Dame</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NSD19?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NSD19</a> <a href="https://t.co/bjDzfc5Zu7">https://t.co/bjDzfc5Zu7</a></p>— Irish Sports Daily (@ISDUpdate) <a href="https://twitter.com/ISDUpdate/status/1075368077947224065?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Talk about a ball player.<a href="https://twitter.com/KJ_WALLACE_2?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KJ_WALLACE_2</a> is a two-way player with speed, smarts and sneaky explosive power that's hard to come by these days.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HAF?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HAF</a> ☘️ <a href="https://t.co/vKXJUGc6xS">pic.twitter.com/vKXJUGc6xS</a></p>— Todd Lyght (@ToddLyght) <a href="https://twitter.com/ToddLyght/status/1075368380096569344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Big fan of CB KJ Wallace. Think he could play outside, nickel, or safety for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Notre Dame</a>. Not the prototype with his size, but plays much bigger <a href="https://t.co/kI0shtbzf8">pic.twitter.com/kI0shtbzf8</a></p>— Jamie Uyeyama (@jamieuyeyama) <a href="https://twitter.com/jamieuyeyama/status/1075368651371425792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Last edited by arrowryan; 12-19-2018, 07:42 AM.Comment
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Just listening to Denson being interviewed and he said him and KJ's Dad played together in HS. Sound's like that was a big part of KJ's recruitment.
Never heard that before.Comment
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https://247sports.com/college/notre-...ame-131517064/
One of the first verbal commitments of the 2019 class, K.J. Wallace has had a lot of time to think about his freshman year at Notre Dame.
A workhorse in many respects, the playmaking cornerback is working through extensive technique training along with individualized weight training under a touted professional in Ed Miller in Atlanta – a program he’s taking on with his future teammates in Kyle Hamilton and JD Bertrand.
With less than two months between now and his South Bend arrival, Irish Illustrated connected with the former four-star to discuss all things related to his off-season preparation.
Sinclair: At Lovett, your coach had told me that he played you at safety to essentially take advantage of your talent all over the field as opposed to you being confined to one side at cornerback. How do you feel about now focusing on your most natural position at cornerback?
Is it a ‘getting back to what I do best’ feel for you?
Wallace: “It’ll be a lot better, honestly. It’s something that I’m used to, so it won’t be that hard of a transition to get back to it. It’s something I’ve been working on a lot this off-season. I’ve been working on corner stuff.
“It won’t be that hard of a transition, it’s natural for me. Like I said, that’s what I’ve been working on all off-season. I’m just ready to get up there and make an impact early.”
Sinclair: I spoke with Ed Miller, your trainer at The Rack about you, Kyle Hamilton, and J.D. Bertrand. He said you tied his gym record in the 10-yard sprint. Tell me about your off-season training and where your improvements may be, what has come of your training.
Wallace: I’d say my explosion. A lot of things like box jump and 10-yard sprints. My box jump is now up to 50 (inches). The 10-yard sprint and things that are important like explosion. And just straight technique stuff. I mean, every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, I’m working straight technique. I know I’m not the tallest person, so technique is something that I have to have. I’m going to have to be in the right position. I don’t have the length to make up for it but if my technique is where it needs to be, then I’ll be good.
“This last month before I go up there, conditioning is about to be furious. I don’t want to be that freshman where it takes two or three weeks to get caught up conditioning-wise. I want to be right on par with everybody else because I heard from a lot of friends that I know who are playing college football, are in that level right now, have told me that conditioning is what separates you. That’s another thing I’m working on.”
Sinclair: There are some who think you’d succeed at the nickel corner spot, potentially early in your career. What are your thoughts on that potential role?
Wallace: “I love it. Honestly, I wouldn’t even mind making a career out of that. I am a smaller guy so it would make sense to be with smaller receivers in that sense. But I feel that at nickel, you’re in the play the most. You’re closer to the ball, you can make the tackle, and you’re also doing what you do best which is covering receivers. So, playing it a bit last year, I actually enjoyed it more so than corner itself.
“Wherever I am on the field, safety, nickel, or corner, I just love being on the field. But I do really enjoy nickel with the fact that there’s a lot of things you can do – you can’t blitz at corner all the time, it’s really obvious. But when you’re playing nickel, you can do a lot of things. It allows you to do a lot of things, be really versatile. And that’s what I think I’m good at as a DB.”
Sinclair: Competing against Kyle Hamilton and J.D. Bertrand in Atlanta throughout your life, how special is it to you that you’re going to be teammates with them soon at Notre Dame?
Wallace: “It’s really special. We go to three different schools but for us to lift together at The Rack, it feels different because we were always going to have a brotherhood there, but we built more of a sense of friendship. We’ve always been friends because we know each other through football. But now that we see each other three or four times a week, we go out afterward to eat or for conditioning or things like that, you can feel the sense of camaraderie there.
“Just the straight competition, me and Kyle compete in everything we do. Pretty much everything, you name it, we’re competing in it. That, right there, has made us better. So, it’ll be interesting to see but as far as our class and how we’re going to fit coming in, I think we’re going to be ahead of the game. We’ll see.”
Sinclair: We all have a good idea of what Kyle Hamilton brings to the table as he committed early. But with J.D. Bertrand joining the class late, we know less about him. What can you tell us about J.D. that we might now know? Why should we be excited about him?
Wallace: “He’s honestly the hardest worker I’ve known in my life. We call him ‘Cyborg’ because he’s a machine. All he does is work, he doesn’t do anything else. He’s so focused on football. During spring break, instead of going to the beach like everyone else did, he went to Notre Dame and learned the playbook. So, he’s probably the hardest working kid you’ll ever meet in your life. He has no option but to be successful eventually because the kid works six or seven days a week just on football.
“The hardest working kid you’ll ever meet.”
Sinclair: With Isaiah Rutherford, what are your thoughts on sort of pairing up with him as the summer-entry freshmen cornerbacks?
Wallace: “That’s my dog. I met him, I want to say, the Michigan game, the official that we went on. We were talking about going through the process together. He’s a funny guy. I can see him being my brother for the next four years. That’s my dude. I think we’re going to have a lot of good times at ND together. I feel like what he brings, what we bring together, will be a good mix. I’m excited.”Comment
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I sometimes experience a tinge of jealousy when I read these reports. These kids have their heads on straight and they are smart and athletic and have their whole world ahead of them.Originally posted by ResLife Hero View Post
It's great to hear about Bertrand being a machine. We need more ILB competition.
Can't wait for all these guys to get on campus.Comment
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Looks like her burned his redshirt. Was that always the plan?Comment
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Maybe not always but I thought they were working him in early this yearOriginally posted by NDIrish88 View PostComment
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IDK what “the plan” was for Wallace but we’ll probably need him next year. Seems fair to get him some action now and worry about 2023 later.Comment
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Preseaon most thought Rutherford was more likely to play right away. He hasn't so playing Wallace doesn't seem to be a big deal.Originally posted by stlnd01 View PostComment
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It must have all just been special teams so seems like a waste.Comment
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Originally posted by tom prendergast View Post
I thought during fall camp media and coaches were speaking highly of Wallace, not Rutherford. So your statement confuses me.
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Sorry, I mean't before camp Rutherford was the more highly touted recruit. Once camp started Wallace surgedOriginally posted by Sherm Sticky View PostComment
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Originally posted by tom prendergast View Post
Yes you are correct. Sorry I miss understood.
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