freebie from ISD
Denbrock Explains Numbers Game
Notre Dame has had Tyler Luatua near the top of its recruiting board for months now. On Tuesday, the Irish made it clear to one of the 2014 California tight end’s La Mirada High School teammates that he was also high on their board, but Mike Denbrock explained to 2014 receiver Dallis Todd that they aren’t quite ready to offer yet.
“Coach Denbrock explained that they’ve got around 18 scholarships to give this year,” La Mirada head coach Mike Moschetti said.
“It looks like they’re going to take two wide receivers in this class and they’ve got one commitment. Dallis is an outside guy and they already have a commitment from an outside guy. The remaining receiver spot is probably going to be for an inside guy who can return kicks and punts.
“But, in saying that, he said the whole coaching staff loves him. They’re still going to talk to him weekly because a lot can happen between now until signing day. He said Dallis is high on their board. Right now they’re not quite ready to offer him, but he is as high up on the board as you can be as a wide receiver.”
Todd has already complied an impressive offer sheet.
“Dallis has been blowing up on the recruiting scene for the last month or so,” Moschetti said. “He’s been offered by Ohio State, Clemson, Texas A&M, Arizona State, Florida. He’s taken off.”
Todd also owns offers from schools like Nebraska, Ole Miss, Louisville and Tennessee among others. And he isn’t counting the Irish out yet.
“Numbers can change, something could happen next week after spring ball, more spots could open,” Moschetti said. “He’s going to go into it like he’s going to get an offer and they’re going to recruit him like they want him. That’s good and Dallis is happy. That’s all he wants and it’s still early.”
Denbrock also spoke with Luatua briefly, but there's no confusion about his offer status with the Irish. For his part, Todd burst on the scene a couple years ago.
“Dallis is a kid that’s only played two years of football,” said Moschetti. “He’s around 6-4, 6-5 and 205, 210 pounds. He’s athletic. It’s tough to find big, physical, athletic receivers. He runs really well.
“He had a great year. He had around 72 receptions last year with 10 touchdowns. From his sophomore film to his junior year, he’s made huge, huge progress. The kid keeps getting better and better.”
Todd didn’t play football until a couple years ago, but Moschetti and his staff knew what they had in him right away.
“He’s blessed with some pretty good ability,” the coach said. “When you’re big and athletic, that’s half the battle.”
Todd is taking care of the other half as well.
“He’s done a great job in the weight room,” Moschetti said. “He’s getting stronger and more explosive. He knows he has a long way to go. He’s not a finished product. Every day he’s catching balls, he’s lifting, trying to improve on areas he needs to improve on, which is everything. He’s just taking it one day at a time and trying to get better every day.”
Luatua has offers from virtually all of the nation’s elite programs, but has a top five of Notre Dame, USC, Alabama, Ohio State and Michigan. His brother plays at Alabama and it’s clear location will not be a factor in his decision. It won’t be a factor in Todd’s either.
“We emphasize that there are great schools all over the country and encourage them to take their trips and see different parts of the country,” Moschetti said. “That’s not going to be a factor in their recruitments. It’ll be tradition, academics and getting to know coaching staffs.
“The most important aspect, I think, is getting to know the current players on the team and seeing how they fit in. That’s the way they’re approaching it. Hopefully they can get out to see some schools in the spring and the summer and then take their officials during the fall and feel comfortable and find a school that they like.”
Luatua was already very interested in the Irish and Todd will remain so as well.
“Oh yeah. Who wouldn’t be?” said Moschetti.
