On Sunday afternoon, Notre Dame Head Coach Brian Kelly stopped by the home of Josh and George Atkinson (Livermore, Calif./Granada) to pay a visit to the Notre Dame commits.* Tonight, I had the opportunity to speak with Josh Atkinson about the visit.
“It went real good,” Atkinson said of his sit down with Kelly and Mike Denbrock.* “They rolled up fancy in a Mercedes Benz.* We got to go over a lot of things recruiting wise, and what to expect when we get up there.”
Atkinson will have to begin preparing for his departure in the near future.* “I just found out tonight that we actually fly out like two days after we graduate, so I gotta start saying my goodbyes now,” joked the 6-foot-0 cornerback.
One of the biggest factors working in Notre Dame’s favor in Josh Atkinson’s recruitment was the depth chart situation at cornerback.* Kelly and Atkinson talked about the opportunities that await the Granada standout.* “He told me to be ready to play as a freshman,” Atkinson explained.* “That’s one of the things that I really liked about Notre Dame and why I chose Notre Dame.* I’m ready to get on the field and I am going to work hard to get there.”
The twins will be able to continue their close bond next fall, although there will undoubtedly be some stepped up competition between the two. *“George and I are going to room together,” said the Granada cornerback.* “That will be nice.* But Coach Kelly talked about how fun it was going to be practicing one-on-one with my brother.* That will be exciting, I can’t wait for that.”
Kelly and his hosts also spent some time relaxing and watching football.* “We sat for a little bit and watched the Patriots game,” noted Atkinson.* “We talked about what they were trying to do on defense, stuff like that.* We were just having fun conversations about football.* My dad really likes him.”
With Signing Day fast approaching, Atkinson’s excitement about his future only grows.* “It’s almost here,” Atkinson exclaimed.* “Coach Denbrock is going to come by in a couple of weeks and explain how that is going to go (Signing Day events).* We are going to be down in Texas for the all-star game, so we will have to figure out how that is going to work.* But it is coming up real quick.
“I won’t have to worry about any more rumors,” he continued.* “I’m realizing my dreams are coming true and I am closer to being a part of a big time program.* I can’t wait!”
The Granada standout also realizes this weekend’s recruiting news is going to have a big impact on his future as well.* He spoke briefly about the commitment of Aaron Lynch and Ishaq Williams to the Notre Dame program.
“It’s going to be a tremendous help for our defense,” Atkinson said of the front four talent that also includes Stephon Tuitt, Ben Councell, Anthony Rabasa, Brad Carrico, and Tony Springmann.* “Our defensive line is going to be getting after the quarterback.* That means more bad throws for us to make a play on and get turnovers.* It helps us make plays in the secondary.* It’s a big step to being an overall great defense that has speed and can get after it and make plays.”
In the meantime, Atkinson is preparing to play in the Team USA vs. The World all-star game down in Austin, Texas.* That game will be played on National Signing Day (February 2, 2011), but before the game the players will have a big event where everyone in the game will be able to fax off their letters of intent to the schools of their choice.* Also joining Atkinson in Austin will be his brother George, DE Stephon Tuitt, OL Matt Hegarty, and current Irish running back recruit Savon Huggins.
