'19 FL RB Cesare 'Chez' Mellusi (Clemson Verbal)

[BobbyMac]

RB
Naples, FL
Naples HS

Measurements:
Height: 6-0
Weight: 185

Rankings:

247 Comp ..... 4 star ..... #16 RB ..... #205 OA ..... .9233 rating
247 ............... 4 star ..... #15 RB ..... #197 OA ...... 90 rating
Scout ............ NR
Rivals ............ 4 star ..... #15 RB ..... #174 OA ...... 5.8
ESPN ............. 4 star ..... #16 RB ..... #247 OA ...... 80

Offers:
Notre Dame
Arizona
Auburn
BC
UK
Miami F
Mich
Mizzou
UNC
Ole Miss
Rutgers
USC
UVA

Media Links:

Twitter = chez_mellusi

Cesare "Chez" Mellusi - Hudl

Highlights:

<iframe src='//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/6789834/5743381feae10c1d004bd0a1' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[BobbyMac]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Extremely excited to have received my 13th offer from the University of Notre Dame!!!!! <a href="https://t.co/S7ONsBumiM">pic.twitter.com/S7ONsBumiM</a></p>— Chez mellusi (@chez_mellusi) <a href="https://twitter.com/chez_mellusi/status/880479628724514816">June 29, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[dublinirish]

not a South Florida kid by origin and has family all around the country.

 

[dwshade]

Really liked his film. Great hands out of the back field. Apparently his dad and Coach Denson hit it off.

 

[BobbyMac]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Schools like <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Auburn?src=hash">#Auburn</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Michigan?src=hash">#Michigan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Miami?src=hash">#Miami</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash">#NotreDame</a> (among others) ALL want "The Chez". Why? 4 TDs... in one half! <a href="https://twitter.com/chez_mellusi">@chez_mellusi</a> just eatin <a href="https://t.co/f06MXcrUN8">pic.twitter.com/f06MXcrUN8</a></p>— Angelo Caruso (@SportswithAC) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportswithAC/status/901310842712580096">August 26, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[BobbyMac]

Classic.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Notre Dame showing love!!☘️☘️☘️ <a href="https://t.co/ylh1K526is">pic.twitter.com/ylh1K526is</a></p>— Chez mellusi (@chez_mellusi) <a href="https://twitter.com/chez_mellusi/status/903664084993880065">September 1, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Big23Head]

Notre Dame set to host elite junior back

Notre Dame will host top junior prospects this weekend, including Chez Mellusi.

The Naples, Fla., running back earned an offer from the Irish on June 29 and has been hoping visit South Bend ever since. Notre Dame reached out on the first day of the contact period to set that trip in motion for the four-star athlete.

“(Notre Dame) has sent me edits, then I talked to coach (Autry) Denson on (Sept. 1),” Mellusi said. “I told him I had a bye week this week and he said the Georgia game would probably be the best game for me to visit. That’s just how it happened.”

The Notre Dame coaching staff has done a thorough job in recruiting Mellusi, putting them in a strong position with the versatile South Florida standout.

“(Notre Dame) is going to be the first real school I’m visiting and as of right now, they’re definitely on the top because they’ve kept the most contact, they’ve sent the most stuff and coach Denson is just a really cool guy. He’s really upfront with me. I want to visit and get a feel for it and I’ll see if I like it.”

The 6-foot, 175-pound running back has a pair of visits in the works following his Notre Dame unofficial.

“I’m pretty sure I’m going to North Carolina in November,” Mellusi said. “I might be going to USC in October, they’re a pretty good school too.”

Hurricane Harvey is set to disrupt the Naples area toward the end of the week, possibly causing problems for Mellusi’s trip to Indiana.

“I’m pretty sure I’m coming by Friday night,” Mellusi said. “Hopefully this hurricane doesn’t mess anything up. We’re under a state of emergency right now. But they don’t really know if it’s going to hit us yet because they say it’s too early to tell. If it hit us, it’s going to be pretty bad.”

If all goes as planned, Mellusi will travel to South Bend with his father, who is also high on Notre Dame and what they have to offer.

“I’m going up there with my dad,” Mellusi said. “As soon as I told him I got invited to the game, he said, ‘oh, we’re going then.’ He’s really big on education. All schools are pretty good at football, all the Division 1 schools. But what else do they have?”

Mellusi is well-informed on what the Irish have in store but can’t wait to take it all in this week.

“I’m looking forward to meeting the guys and asking them some questions, how Notre Dame treats them and stuff like that,” Mellusi said. “I want to see the campus and the facilities but I know the campus is beautiful already. I just want to see it.”

Mellusi rates as the No. 204 overall prospect and the No. 9 at his position in the South in the 247 Composite rankings. He also holds offers from Arizona, Boston College, Kentucky, Miami, Michigan, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Rutgers, USC and Virginia.

Aside from Mellusi, the Irish will also host key junior prospects David Bell and Joseph Anderson this weekend.

 

[clashmore_mike]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">2019 Florida RB <a href="https://twitter.com/chez_mellusi">@chez_mellusi</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash">#NotreDame</a> after visit: “They’re definitely number one right now." (Premium) <a href="https://t.co/Mt2TF7bmdg">https://t.co/Mt2TF7bmdg</a></p>— Irish Sports Daily (@ISDUpdate) <a href="https://twitter.com/ISDUpdate/status/906914940904247296">September 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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[BobbyMac]

What a shock.

Loy with a CB.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Great time at ND this weekend!!☘️ <a href="https://t.co/OjSugWKyI8">pic.twitter.com/OjSugWKyI8</a></p>— Chez mellusi (@chez_mellusi) <a href="https://twitter.com/chez_mellusi/status/906935107298230272">September 10, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Big23Head]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Two-team race for highly-regarded 2019 RB Chez Mellusi? He breaks down weekend visit to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash">#NotreDame</a> & more.<br>---> <a href="https://t.co/0nQHDKLkpO">https://t.co/0nQHDKLkpO</a> <a href="https://t.co/5oMXY5zLxC">pic.twitter.com/5oMXY5zLxC</a></p>— Corey Bender (@Corey_Bender) <a href="https://twitter.com/Corey_Bender/status/907602201320845312">September 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
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[BobbyMac]

Would love to see him tweet out his commitment after an Adams' 90 yarder.

<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> still leads for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rivals250?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rivals250</a> 2019 RB Cesare Mellusi. He'll see the Irish play again this weekend <a href="https://t.co/VQTh7aDanc">https://t.co/VQTh7aDanc</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/chez_mellusi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@chez_mellusi</a> <a href="https://t.co/TGXBApzbcj">pic.twitter.com/TGXBApzbcj</a></p>— BlueandGold.com (@BGInews) <a href="https://twitter.com/BGInews/status/928612113114857472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[yankeeND]

Would love to see him tweet out his commitment after an Adams' 90 yarder.

<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> still leads for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rivals250?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rivals250</a> 2019 RB Cesare Mellusi. He'll see the Irish play again this weekend <a href="https://t.co/VQTh7aDanc">https://t.co/VQTh7aDanc</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/chez_mellusi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@chez_mellusi</a> <a href="https://t.co/TGXBApzbcj">pic.twitter.com/TGXBApzbcj</a></p>— BlueandGold.com (@BGInews) <a href="https://twitter.com/BGInews/status/928612113114857472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

He and Deon’s brother would be quite the RB duo.

 

[GoldenToTheGrave]

Just watched his film, can someone say second gear?

 

[arrowryan]

Sinclair joined Wiltfong and put in an Irish CB today.

Chez looks like a really good running back to pair with a guy like Jahmir Smith. Runs a little upright like Josh Adams, but he is a guy that has a second gear but also doesn't go down on first contact. He has a lot of broken tackles in his film

 

[BobbyMac]

Sinclair joined Wiltfong and put in an Irish CB today.

Chez looks like a really good running back to pair with a guy like Jahmir Smith. Runs a little upright like Josh Adams, but he is a guy that has a second gear but also doesn't go down on first contact. He has a lot of broken tackles in his film

Get the feeling ND has it's hooks set deep already. I'd be surprised if he makes it past the early OV period in April.

Updates:

Jr stats: 12 G ... 169 car ... 1505 yds ... 8.9 ypc ... 19 TD ... 8 rec ... 85 yds ... 0 TD

Rankings 12-15-17:

247 Comp ..... 4 star ..... #19 RB ..... #237 OA ..... .9155 rating
247 ............... 4 star ..... #15 RB ..... #201 OA ...... 90
Rivals ............ 4 star ..... #16 RB ..... #223 OA ...... 5.8
ESPN ............. 4 star ..... #15 RB ..... #252 OA ...... 80

<iframe src='//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/6789834/5743381feae10c1d004bd0a1' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[fightingirish26]

Get the feeling ND has it's hooks set deep already. I'd be surprised if he makes it past the early OV period in April.

Updates:

Jr stats: 12 G ... 169 car ... 1505 yds ... 8.9 ypc ... 19 TD ... 8 rec ... 85 yds ... 0 TD

Rankings 12-15-17:

247 Comp ..... 4 star ..... #19 RB ..... #237 OA ..... .9155 rating
247 ............... 4 star ..... #15 RB ..... #201 OA ...... 90
Rivals ............ 4 star ..... #16 RB ..... #223 OA ...... 5.8
ESPN ............. 4 star ..... #15 RB ..... #252 OA ...... 80

<iframe src='//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/6789834/5743381feae10c1d004bd0a1' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen></iframe>

how fast is this guy? some plays the d-backs make up a lot of ground on him and other plays he looks like a total burner

 

[BobbyMac]

how fast is this guy? some plays the d-backs make up a lot of ground on him and other plays he looks like a total burner

Ran 11.3's in the 100m during his Soph year of track. Should translate into a sub 11 guy. Fast enough. I like offense he's in. Looks like watching a Josh Adams highlight.

...and I saw what you saw and was going to say... sign the DB in the second play. That dude was rollin'.

 

[arrowryan]

Ran 11.3's in the 100m during his Soph year of track. Should translate into a sub 11 guy. Fast enough. I like offense he's in. Looks like watching a Josh Adams highlight.

...and I saw what you saw and was going to say... sign the DB in the second play. That dude was rollin'.

Agreed. Reminded me a lot of watching Josh Adams.

 

[BobbyMac]

Here's a 3 year old piece from his Middle School days that says he ran 4.69 in 8th grade. He was also already 6-0 in 8th grade.

https://youth1.com/football/7034302...sare-mellusi-named-eastbay-youth-all-american

While there are middle schoolers from all over the country who will travel to Naples, Florida to play in the Eastbay Youth All-American Bowl; on December 20; Cesare Mellusi won’t even have to leave his hometown. Mellusi is a Naples resident who attends East Naples Middle School, and has led his Naples Gators to an 11-0 record in the competitive Southwest Youth Football League.

Mellusi, a 2019 prospect, is a 6’0”, 175-pound eighth grader who plays running back, wide receiver and linebacker, and also runs the 40-yard dash in 4.69 seconds. While a six-foot tall running back is pretty rare at any level of football, especially middle school, Mellusi has used his long limbs to develop a long running stride as well as an absolutely devastating stiff-arm that consistently keeps would-be tacklers at reach. Mellusi’s combination of speed and power has led him to total 27 touchdowns in just 11 games. Young Cesare models his running style after Philadelphia Eagles great LeSean McCoy.

Mellusi’s football knowledge got a significant boost when he attended Coach Bill Kramer’s football camp at local Naples High School. Mellusi’s quotes show that he is relishing the golden opportunity he has to display his skills to higher-ups in the football world, while also keeping a levelheaded perspective on the road ahead. As to his goal at the All-American Bowl, Mellusi said he wants “to showcase my talent and have a good time.”

On the subject of what he is most looking forward to at the All-American Bowl, Mellusi offered, “I am looking forward to playing with the other All-Americans because I know I am playing with other talented players.”

As far as what the honor of being invited to the All-American Bowl means, the eighth grade Naples native was more expansive. “It’s a great honor to represent your family, coaches, and your state,” said Mellusi. “I can’t wait to participate in the event.”

 

[Irish YJ]

I love that they are finding these guys in the Naples area. My favorite place in FL. Love this guy.

 

[Irishnuke]

Here's a 3 year old piece from his Middle School days that says he ran 4.69 in 8th grade. He was also already 6-0 in 8th grade.

https://youth1.com/football/7034302...sare-mellusi-named-eastbay-youth-all-american

I was 5'10 in 8th grade. 20+ years later I don't even think I'm that tall anymore.

 

[NDMIA]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I just spoke w/ Top247 RB Chez Mellusi, who continues to praise <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NotreDame</a>. He shared the latest on his recruitment & his relationship w/ Autry Denson. ($) <a href="https://t.co/kAM94ecj5n">https://t.co/kAM94ecj5n</a> <a href="https://t.co/YXf8BkjoCK">pic.twitter.com/YXf8BkjoCK</a></p>— Kevin Sinclair (@KevinSinclair_) <a href="https://twitter.com/KevinSinclair_/status/962495866832437249?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Luckylucci]

Still the leader and a Spring decision is likely. Sounds like the expectation is that could come after his next visit in the spring.

 

[arrowryan]

Wonder how many running backs they take this cycle. Mellusi and Sampson James would be pretty good.

 

[NDMIA]

2 backs. Mellusi and James would be an absolute home run.

 

[BobbyMac]

Mellusi sounds like a done deal.

Hard to be to hyped on a Indy skill player. Football or basketball, they can't wait to get out of state. Hopefully he's different but he got those OSU CB's for a reason.

I'd trust John Bivens at Archbishop Alter first and want Jirehl Brock regardless. Pat Garwo's up there too.

 

[Ricochet]

Wonder how many running backs they take this cycle. Mellusi and Sampson James would be pretty good.

2 for sure and I think 3rd is possible but would imagine it would have to be a stud who's game is different then the other RBs.

 

[Luckylucci]

I’ve mentioned this before but..........If it were up to me, I’d take 2 traditional RB’s and another ATH/RB like Kyren Williams or Steele Chambers.

 

[T-Boone]

I cant read his name without thinking Pryzbylewski from The Wire.

 

[NDMIA]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It looks like a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NotreDame</a>-Miami could be shaping up for Chez Mellusi, one of the top running backs in 2019. Clemson is also making a run. However, the Fighting Irish are in great shape with running backs coach <a href="https://twitter.com/autrydenson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@autrydenson</a> leading the charge <a href="https://t.co/UWVhAQbUSg">https://t.co/UWVhAQbUSg</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/chez_mellusi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@chez_mellusi</a> <a href="https://t.co/TdkJXK79ez">pic.twitter.com/TdkJXK79ez</a></p>— Tom Loy (@TomLoy247) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomLoy247/status/980855166478974976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Kid absolutely gushes about ND. Great job of recruiting by Autry Denson. And his parents are completely on board. I would love for him to take on more visit in the spring to seal the deal, but he might just pop after his Clemson visit in mid april. Either way, looks great for ND, we'll see what it's like after the Clemson visit, but hopefully this is over before the school year lets out.