'19 CA LB Blake Antzoulatos (Cal Verbal)

[dublinirish]

Google maps is your friend, but to save you some key strokes, they are neighbors to Greece. The Greeks used to pay homage to them. My grandpa was from Macedonia. You would have sworn he was Greek. Basically they're one and the same from outside appearances.

Sounds like he was born in what is today called FYROM, (Former Yugoslavian Republic Of Macedonia). That was part of the Ottoman Empire at the time of his birth most likely. Macedonia is usually recognized as the northern region of Greece, just across the border from the FYROM. Alexander the Great was born in the city of Pella in what is in present day Greece.

They have been fighting over the naming of the FYROM for years.

lol yeah its a point of contention alright!

 

[BobbyMac]

Following the Pete Werner recruiting timeline in almost identical fashion.

https://www.calhisports.com/2017/10/24/socalnorcal-players-of-the-week-62/

Cal-Hi Sports Southern California
Defensive Player of the Week

Blake Antzoulatos
(Chaminade, West Hills) Jr.

It’s not surprising opposing running backs and wide receivers get a little antsy when they see Antzoulatos bearing down on them.

Likely it’s because the 6-foot-2, 212-pound linebacker with 4.6 speed in the 40 is one of top young linebackers and student-athletes in the San Fernando Valley and has offers from Colorado State and Nevada but is getting interest from Stanford, Northwestern, UCLA and USC plus others.

Last week, in a 45-0 shellacking of Alemany of Mission Hills, Antzoulatos led the Cal-Hi Sports No. 6 ranked Eagles by dancing his way to 12 tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery he returned 15 yards.

Antzoulatos has been in double-digits for tackles in seven of Chaminade’s eight games, including 13 in the Eagles’ lone loss to state No. 2 St. John Bosco. On the season, he has exactly 100 tackles with five sacks, an interception and two fumble recoveries.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/X3FlN8s2h7">pic.twitter.com/X3FlN8s2h7</a></p>— Blake Antzoulatos (@blakeantzoulato) <a href="https://twitter.com/blakeantzoulato/status/917553938764677120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 10, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[BobbyMac]

Coach Lea in contact yesterday per Sinclair/247 freebie. Good read.

https://247sports.com/college/notre-dame/Article/Notre-Dame-checks-in-on-2019-Cali-LB-111286230

Per this freebie, Blake's Dad says Lea told him ND might only take 2 LB's in '19.

I think they had a Northwestern visit planned for January so look for them to visit ND then also.

Jr Stats:

11 G ... 150 Tkl ... 14.5 TFL ... 8.5 Sks ... 11 QBH ...1 FF ... 2 FR ... 1 Int ... 2 PBU ... 1 Blk-FG

<iframe src='//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/1738089/599698a25ca9311624ce29d2' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[BobbyMac]

On campus today. Offer watch.

Wooly taking the fam out for Saganaki, Moussaka and Ouzo and closing the deal. Opah!

From 247 Freebie:

West Hills (Calif.) Chaminade three-star linebacker Blake Antzoulatos, a 6-2, 215-pounder with offers from Cal, Colorado State, Nevada and Oregon State, is checking out Notre Dame today.

Of the schools that haven't offered but could be close, Notre Dame, Stanford, USC and Wisconsin are all in that mix.

Notre Dame defensive coordinator Clark Lea has been interested in Antzoulatos for quite some time. He stopped in to see him in late November while in California.

As a junior, Antzoulatos was named Defensive Player of the Year according to the Los Angeles Daily News after recording 150 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 9 sacks.

https://247sports.com/college/notre...-currently-on-campus-at-Notre-Dame--113610698

 

[Luckylucci]

With only two ILB's expected in this class, an offer would show what they think of him as a prospect.

 

[gkIrish]

I will make a phone call and seal the deal.

 

[BobbyMac]

With only two ILB's expected in this class, an offer would show what they think of him as a prospect.

Agreed. I think you give a ceremonial offer and see how he grows. His game at say 6-3/230 would a lot different than 6-1/210. Right now he's Cam McGrone sized w/o the Cam McGrone speed. Obviously a VERY good HS player. You have to be special to post that production, regardless of system, against their schedule.

 

[NDinBoston]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">2019 LB prospect. <a href="https://t.co/N2pC82nlcD">https://t.co/N2pC82nlcD</a></p>— Tyler James (@TJamesNDI) <a href="https://twitter.com/TJamesNDI/status/951964158387523590?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 12, 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">Amazing touring the Irish today&#55356;&#57152;&#55356;&#57152;&#55356;&#57152; <a href="https://t.co/ErMmOdPapj">pic.twitter.com/ErMmOdPapj</a></p>— Blake Antzoulatos (@blakeantzoulato) <a href="https://twitter.com/blakeantzoulato/status/951948206090399744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[BobbyMac]

Freebie from 247:

https://247sports.com/college/notre...ulatos-talks-first-Notre-Dame-visit-113643478

Despite not landing an offer from Notre Dame yet, the trip couldn’t have gone better. The 6-2, 215-pounder raved about new defensive coordinator Clark Lea and believes the Fighting Irish defense is in great hands.

“I think it’s great,” said Antzoulatos of Lea as coordinator. “He knows the system and he knows the personnel. You can tell he has love and passion and work ethic. I could feel it in the first meeting.”

Antzoulatos has offers from Cal, Colorado State, Nevada and Oregon State. However, after Friday’s visit, the Fighting Irish are going to be tough to beat if they offer.

“It was amazing. It’s Notre Dame,” said Antzoulatos. “I loved the facilities. They’re modern, yet kept the history and the pride of tradition.”

While on campus, Antzoulatos met with Lea, quarterbacks coach Tom Rees and special teams coordinator Brian Polian.

“They said they like what they have seen and that my visit was a big step in moving the process forward.”

Regarding any future visits, Antzoulatos doesn’t have anything set. He will continue focusing on the schools that have offered until new ones come on board.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-cards="hidden" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NotreDame</a> DC Clark Lea (<a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Lea?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Lea</a>) made a big impression on 2019 LB Blake Antzoulatos during Friday’s visit to campus. <br><br>"You can tell he has love and passion and work ethic. I could feel it in the first meeting.”<a href="https://t.co/F4hvucaxMC">https://t.co/F4hvucaxMC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IrishIllustrated?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IrishIllustrated</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/247Sports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@247Sports</a> <a href="https://t.co/dexfx2q1Iq">pic.twitter.com/dexfx2q1Iq</a></p>— Tom Loy (@TomLoy247) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomLoy247/status/952195255255912451?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[NDdomer2]

how well does this kid run? has almost identical size profile of Drue coming out of high school.

 

[BobbyMac]

how well does this kid run? has almost identical size profile of Drue coming out of high school.

We'll find out this summer, he didn't test the 40 at The Opening last year. My guess is his times won't blow you away and unless he sprouts, he's gonna be small.

If it ends up just 2 spots, I doubt he has a chance at ND. ND has an very athletic 6-3 OLB prospect in Cameron Williams they'd lead for if offered and then there's Cade Stover and Brandon Smith who are elite. Also, Casey Klein the offered ATH from Cali is a very interesting prospect at OLB. Spencer Lytle from Servite (CA) will be coming through this spring too, another 6-3+ OLB.

But ya get the feeling Antzoulatos is the kind of Cali kid that goes to Zona and becomes the next Scooby Wright or Colin Schooler.

 

[Luckylucci]

I agree with that general thought process. I’d try and get him to workout at a camp and go from there. As far as “underrated” prospects go, I like Lytle quite a bit more.

 

[BobbyMac]

Freebie:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">2019 LB Blake Antzoulatos has "incredible" visit to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NotreDame</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoIrish?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoIrish</a> <a href="https://t.co/RYHxerGej2">https://t.co/RYHxerGej2</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZIV9AnyZSQ">pic.twitter.com/ZIV9AnyZSQ</a></p>— Adam Gorney (@adamgorney) <a href="https://twitter.com/adamgorney/status/954485206429319169?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[BobbyMac]

247 Freebie:

https://247sports.com/college/notre...abs-on-linebacker-Blake-Antzoulatos-118523115

Notre Dame heads to California to watch linebacker workout

Notre Dame is in very good shape for a few top linebacker targets, but that might not prevent the staff from extending a new scholarship offer at some point in the near future.

According to West Hills (Calif.) Chaminade three-star linebacker Blake Antzoulatos, Notre Dame stopped by his school earlier this week to check in on him and watch a workout. The 6-2, 225-pounder from the class of 2019 says that defensive coordinator Clark Lea and special teams coordinator Brian Polian were at the school.

Boston College, Cal, Harvard, Oregon State, Princeton, Penn, and Utah are a few of his notable offers to this point. According to the 247Sports Crystal Ball, perception is that Cal is the favorite. Both predictions are in favor of the in-state Bears.

A Notre Dame offer would likely be a game-changer in this recruitment and the Irish would move into the group. According to Antzoulatos, the Irish will continue evaluating him and make a decision on whether to offer or not by next week.

Antzoulatos was in South Bend for an unofficial visit back on Jan. 12. It was his first time on campus and the first opportunity for him to see the Fighting Irish football program up close.

“It was amazing. It’s Notre Dame,” said Antzoulatos shortly after his visit. “I loved the facitliies. They’re modern, yet kept the history and the pride of tradition.”

That trip allowed Antzoulatos an opportunity to get around his two recruiters in Lea and Polian.

“I think it’s great,” said Antzoulatos of Lea being Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator. “He knows the system and he knows the personnel. You can tell he has love and passion and work ethic. I could feel it in the first meeting.

“They said they like what they have seen and that my visit was a big step in moving the process forward,” added Antzoulatos of his conversation with Lea and Polian.

As a junior, Antzoulatos was one of the nation’s most productive linebackers. He totaled 150 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, two pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and one interception.

Per the 247Sports Composite Rankings, Antzoulatos is the No. 25 inside linebacker nationally and No. 73 prospect in California from the class of 2019.

As it stands now, Notre Dame has put itself in great shape with a few other linebacker targets including Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day School four-star Osita Ekwonu, Omaha (Neb.) Burke four-star Nick Henrich, Royal Center (Ind.) Pioneer three-star Jack Kiser and Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco three-star Spencer Lytle. Notre Dame is the 247Sports Crystal Ball favorite for Ekwonu, Henrich and Kiser. The staff is also in play for recently-offered linebacker Asa Turner of Carlsbad (Calif.) high school and Danville (Calif.) San Ramon Valley three-star linebacker Tristan Sinclair.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NotreDame</a> is in great shape for a few linebackers this cycle, but it hasn’t stopped the staff from keeping tabs on a few other targets. The staff was out west this week watching another one workout. Details at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IrishIllustrated?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IrishIllustrated</a>. <a href="https://t.co/EOzEStY5RU">https://t.co/EOzEStY5RU</a><a href="https://twitter.com/247Sports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@247Sports</a> <a href="https://t.co/1oN9Yzbhlg">pic.twitter.com/1oN9Yzbhlg</a></p>— Tom Loy (@TomLoy247) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomLoy247/status/1000054629139472392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 25, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[dublinirish]

committed to Cal there last week