'11 NC OLB/DE Ben Councell (Signed Notre Dame LOI)

[IHateMarkMay]

I'm less than 20 minutes from his High School.... Won't go visit though lol.

 

[tadman95]

I'm glad they are staying in touch with these kids too. I like this class a lot just the way it is, meets a lot of needs. Everything else is gravy, Aunt Bea's gravy!

 

[Ironman8]

ISD Freebie on Councell:

Councell Ready to Shine
FRIDAY, 14 JANUARY 2011 19:46 BRYAN DRISKELL

For Ben Councell (Asheville, N.C./A.C. Reynolds), the recruiting process has been a time of excitement, opportunity, and a lot of stress. With the process winding down and Signing Day right around the corner, the A.C. Reynolds star was able to reflect on his final season in high school, his recruitment, his decision to attend Notre Dame, and his future.

Brian Kelly has said he wants to emphasize recruiting players that are used to winning. Consider Ben Councell one of those players. Councell and his A.C. Reynolds teammates finished the 2010 season with a 12-2 record, losing in the 4A State Quarterfinals. For Councell, the 12-2 record was a disappointment. During his four year career at A.C. Reynolds High School, Councell would be a part of 45 wins and only ten defeats. Reynolds won the 2009 4A State Championship with Councell as their top defender.

“It was definitely a little bit of a letdown, not being able to win state again,” said the standout linebacker. “We made a good run though, and all in all it was a good season.”

Councell was named the Mountain Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year and the 4A State Defensive Player of the Year. What makes that honor even more impressive is the fact that ESPN Top 150 defensive end Jermaurio Rasco (Asheville, N.C./Asheville) plays in the same conference as Councell.

His stellar player during his senior season earned him a berth into the prestigious Shrine Bowl, which pits the best players from the state of North Carolina against the best players from the state of South Carolina. Councell, who finished the season with 141 tackles and 22 tackles for loss, was the only player from the Western part of the state to earn an invite into the game.

“It’s a big honor for a North Carolina kid,” Councell said of the Shrine Bowl invite. “To be named to it was a great honor. At first I did not know it was such a big deal, but then I saw that my coaches were so excited. I was the only kid in Western Carolina to be named to the game.”

The 6-foot-5 linebacker did not know what to expect once he arrived to begin the week of practice. “Going into it I was a little unsure,” Councell explained. “I didn’t know if I was going to get some playing time. I mean, these are the top players from North Carolina and South Carolina. I was just hoping to get some playing time.”

Not only did Councell get playing time, he shined during the week of practice and in the game, where he was named North Carolina’s Defensive Player of the Game after finishing with 10 tackles, three tackles for loss, and blocking a punt. In a game that featured the nation’s No. 1 overall player (Jadeveon Clowney) and several of the nation’s top linebackers (Kris Frost, Stephone Anthony, Lateek Townsend), Councell would standout, proving he belongs among the nation’s elite.

“I went in to prove myself,” Councell said of his outlook heading into the game. “I worked real hard, and to get to play against those players was an honor. I wasn’t sure how I would hold up.”

The Shrine Bowl experience showed Councell he belongs, and gave him a taste of what is to come. “Getting that feel and realizing I can play with these guys was an awesome experience,” noted the standout linebacker.

Councell committed to Notre Dame in June, but during his senior season he began to have doubts about whether or not Notre Dame was the right place for him.

“I was a little unsure for a while because of the distance,” Councell said of his thought process during the season. “I just did not know if it was truly the right spot for me. I was really stressed out for a while. I was committed here but was still looking there.”

After visiting South Carolina unofficially, Councell considered reopening his commitment. But before he would do that, he decided to visit Notre Dame one more time, just to be certain. This time he would travel to South Bend with his mother, who had never been to the campus.

“I went up with mom because she hadn’t been there before,” Councell said of his final visit to South Bend. “I had a good visit and they treated us real nice. I got to get in depth with the whole program and the academics. I got a lot of questions answered and mom got a lot of questions answered. At the end I realized it was the right place for me.”

Councell’s parents have been a big part of his recruiting process. “I wanted them to be a part of the decision making,” continued the Reynolds star. “Dad loved the whole program. Mom loved the academics. She just wanted the best for me. She was able to meet a lot of the coaches and the people who would be mentoring over me while I am there.”

His future teammates were also a reason Councell felt so comfortable sticking with the Irish. “When I went up for my official visit there were like nine recruits up there,” Councell said of his official visit to Notre Dame. “They were a good group of guys. From what I have seen we are all a lot alike. That’s something the coaches are saying they are trying to recruit.”

When he returned from his official visit Councell decided to end his recruitment and stick with the Irish. “I am comfortable with my decision, I’m confident in it,” Councell said. “Getting to talk with Coach Kelly I know it’s the right spot for me. Now I can get all that out of the way and go on from here, and now I can be confident in my decision.”

Councell now gets to do something he has not been able to do for some time. “Now I get to focus on the rest of my time in high school and just relax,” said the relieved linebacker.

Kelly and Mike Elston, who was Councell’s main recruiter, paid a visit to Asheville, North Carolina last week to spend some time with the Councell family. “It was awesome,” Councell said of his time with the Irish coaches. “They flew in Friday afternoon and came up to see us. We had about four or five hours, it was snowing, it was just real nice. My head coach came over too, it was a good experience.

“At first everyone was trying to act all proper,” laughed Councell. “But after that it was real comfortable and everyone was laughing and joking. We got a lot of talking done.”

Councell is being recruited to play the Dog linebacker position for the Irish, something that excites him. “It’s similar to what we ran (at A.C. Reynolds), and I played it during the Shrine Bowl when I was there,” noted the Reynolds standout. “I have a lot of experience at the position. I love the variety the position brings. One play you will be dropping back on the pass, one play you are covering the flats, one play you are coming off the edge. It’s exciting.”

When he arrives in South Bend, Councell is looking to immediately make his presence felt. “I am going to come up there and fight for a starting spot,” Councell said of his plans during his freshman year. “I am going to try to earn playing time as a freshman. I want to make an impact right away.”

With Kerry Neal graduating and big question marks remaining at the position, Councell will certainly get his opportunity.

But for now, Councell is ready to enjoy the rest of his senior year before he heads up North to put on the Blue and Gold.

COMMENTS: Councell will need to put work in between now and the time he arrives on campus in June. There is no doubt that Councell has all the physical tools (speed, agility, length) to play right away. But the 225-pound linebacker must get stronger if he wants to make a big impact as a freshman. If he is able to gain the necessary strength, Councell could have an impact very early on as a linebacker and special teams player. His skill set is perfect for the Dog position thanks to his ability to play the pass, show great range in the zone, his ability to get after the quarterback, and his toughness on the edge in the run game. Players with his speed, size, and range are very rare. After struggling with his college decision, Councell is clearly excited about heading up to South Bend. He might not get the national acclaim of his more highly regarded classmates, but Councell is as good as any player Notre Dame is bringing into this class. His commitment to Notre Dame is one of the biggest gets of this recruiting cycle.

 

[NewEnglandGuy]

Terrific read. He is a big time get and the recruiting sites HAVE to move him up for the last rankings, look for a consensus 4 Star (for those who care about rankings). I hope he can hit the weights to play this year, but if he is still on the thin side it would benefit the program if we could afford to redshirt him and play older guys like Filer or Fox.

 

[NDinFL]

What really makes me amped about this is that he is playing the exact same position that he played/plays in high school....from his comments he seems to know it very well.

 

[bigedefense]

What has me excited about him is how sure he and his family are that ND is the best place on Earth to go to college....oh yeah, AND PLAY FOOTBALL!

 

[tadman95]

Since he's a home boy he's gonna be my favorite for the next 4 years! Got to get a jersey.

 

[rtrn2glory]

Question: Do we think he will come in and play the Cat OLB position and compete with Fleming, Shembo, and Ishaq (Yikes!!!) or is more along the lines of the spot Kerry Neal played? Or is Ishaq being brought in to play this other OLB spot?

I guess it really doesn't matter, it's just they both have similar skill sets and i don't know how much it would make sense to have them competing for one spot.

Any thoughts? Prolly can't go wrong either way.

 

[aubeirish]

Councell is projected to be playing DOG backer. Clearly his skill set is perfect for that position...

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Councell is projected to be playing DOG backer. Clearly his skill set is perfect for that position...

^This

 

[jonesman]

This kid is a player. He will make a great mark on ND before he leaves. Although, I do believe he will be best suited to redshirt his freshman year. His body needs some time to beef up a bit.

His speed and instincts are second to none. Ben, welcome to the new FEARSOME fighting Irish family!!!!

 

[IHateMarkMay]

Since he's a home boy he's gonna be my favorite for the next 4 years! Got to get a jersey.

Same here, he goes to school about 20 minutes from where I now live. Couldn't find Mayberry on Mapquest though, where is it from Asheville?

 

[tadman95]

Mayberry was Andy's pseudonym for Mount Airy, NC. We're 30 miles northwest of Winston-Salem right along the NC/VA border.

Been to Asheville lots of times although it's been awhile. Three and a half hours away, close enough to consider Ben a home boy.

 

[RyCo1983]

Same here, he goes to school about 20 minutes from where I now live. Couldn't find Mayberry on Mapquest though, where is it from Asheville?

Speaking of Mayberry...how's the sheriff doing?

 

[tadman95]

I think Andy is doing just fine, lives out on the North Carolina Coast, hasn't been here in years though. His childhood home is a must see for the tourists. It's amazing how many tourists come through here. Downtown is usually pretty busy on weekends with tourists eating at Snappy Lunch and getting hair cuts at Floyd's.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

Mayberry was Andy's pseudonym for Mount Airy, NC. We're 30 miles northwest of Winston-Salem right along the NC/VA border.

Been to Asheville lots of times although it's been awhile. Three and a half hours away, close enough to consider Ben a home boy.

Ohhhh I live in Hendersonville, I was just so confused cause Mapquest couldn't find it. Anyways, it's good to be part of a state this beautiful.

I've always been excited about this kid. His speed is terrific. His instinct is awesome. He will be a big part in that front seven when we win a national championship in a couple of years.

 

[gspjeb]

in the spirit of this thread....and since I live in Fayetteville.....I too will claim Ben as a home boy!

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Question: Do we think he will come in and play the Cat OLB position and compete with Fleming, Shembo, and Ishaq (Yikes!!!) or is more along the lines of the spot Kerry Neal played? Or is Ishaq being brought in to play this other OLB spot?

I guess it really doesn't matter, it's just they both have similar skill sets and i don't know how much it would make sense to have them competing for one spot.

Any thoughts? Prolly can't go wrong either way.

A) Dog. Anything else would be a waste. Williams, Rasaba, etc are “cats.”

B) That is why he is really the most important recruit in this class.

C) If you know dog, he needs to be able to cover. He will get caught with a wide out. He will get matched with a tight end. Often he will be in a man situation.

He has played the exact position in high school, which is the only reason I can think of that he didn't get more notoriety. It is sort of a linebacker bone yard, in high school.

If you know dog, it is speed, coverage, run, speed, and coverage. I think our barely competent coaching staff* brought him in so he could play right away. Don't be surprised if he breaks into the rotation early. (Kelly and Diaco have stated that they want multiple players able to play the "dog" position at a high level, because they don't want anyone to get gassed, there. Anyone they play has to be good enough to be a starter.)

* I was being facetious to make a point.

 

[tadman95]

I tell ya, Mount Airy has had some pretty good teams over the years, back in the 70's and 80's, seems like we always ended up going up to Pisgah and getting our butts handed to us in the playoffs.

Ever heard of Alex Gibbs? Oline coach in the pros, was with the Broncos when they won the 2 super bowls. He was Mount Airy's coach when they won they state title in '68. One tough SOB.

There is some good football up there although I'm not sure it's appreciated outside the area.

 

[tadman95]

I like Ben's athleticism too.

I personally think with his measuements, when he gets on campus Kelly should put him on the forty, hand him a ball, tell him to hit Floyd's outside shoulder at the post. If he hits it, we have ourselves quarterback!!

 

[BGIF]

???

???

Scout dropped him 3 slots to #28 OLB, 3 Stars.

Guess they didn't watch any All-Stars games.

 

[ndfi78]

That surprises me since on Rivals all they are talking about is how he is going to get a big bump.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Thats the "Notre Dame Drop."

 

[ThePiombino]

Thats the "Notre Dame Drop."

(with my tinfoil hat on) This^

 

[ndftbl]

Good video

Good video

YouTube - Chase Hounshell Highlights

 

[IHateMarkMay]

YouTube - Chase Hounshell Highlights

Wrong thread bud, I can see how you would confuse them though. Councell Hounshell. Makes sense to me.

 

[jonesman]

I don't care how may they drop him at this point. Ratings don't make tackles and score points. The kid is a player and showed that against some solid compeition at the Shrine Bowl.

Big Ben, welcome to the IRISH family. You are 5 star in our book!!!

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Received 4th star from Rivals.

 

[Old Man Mike]

This guy's one of our great "sleepers". We've wanted the speed, the ranginess, the ability to close --- this young man MIGHT be the first to see the field in this class.

 

[t3hjc]

#91 overall in Rivals Top 100