Notre Dame Football Announces 2019 Signing Class

The University of Notre Dame football roster will increase by 24 student-athletes for the 2019 season.

The 24 new additions represent 16 states — three from Georgia, two from New Jersey, two from Texas, two from Virginia, two from Indiana, two from California, and one each from Alabama, Illinois, Hawai’i, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Connecticut.

As listed by position, Notre Dame adds five defensive lineman, four linebackers, four defensive backs, four offensive linemen, three wide receivers, one quarterback, one running back, one punter and one kicker.

Ten of the 24 players — running back Kyren Williams, offensive lineman Zeke Correll, offensive lineman Quinn Carroll, offensive lineman John Olmstead, offensive lineman Andrew Kristofic, defensive lineman NaNa Osafo-Mensah, defensive lineman Jacob Lacey, defensive lineman Hunter Spears, linebacker Jack Kiser and punter Jay Bramblett — will enroll at the University in January and will participate in Notre Dame’s spring football practices. The other 14 players will arrive on campus by June for the start of summer school.

Notre Dame’s incoming class was ranked No. 14 by ESPN, No. 14 by Rivals and No. 15 by 247Sports.

Among the 24 players who will be freshmen for the Irish this fall are:

• Five who were selected for the All-American Bowl in San Antonio: Isaiah Foskey, NaNa Osafo-Mensah, Kyle Hamilton, Andrew Kristofic and Jay Bramblett
• One who was selected for the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida: Harrison Leonard
• One who was selected for the Under Armour All-America Game in Orlando, Florida: Zeke Correll
• Five members of the Tom Lemming Top 100: Quinn Carroll (37), NaNa Osafo-Mensah (80), Zeke Correll (83), Isaiah Rutherford (84) and John Olmstead (90)
• Twelve members of the Prepstar Top 350 Dream Team: Quinn Carroll (113), Isaiah Foskey (147), NaNa Osafo-Mensah (154), John Olmstead (155), Jacob Lacey (168), Litchfield Ajavon (180), Osita Ekwonu (195), Zeke Correll (201), Hunter Spears (273), KJ Wallace (314), Andrew Kristofic (335) and Howard Cross III (344)
• Nine members of the 247Sports Top 247: Kyle Hamilton (15), Zeke Correll (81), Andrew Kristofic (120), Jacob Lacey (177), Quinn Carroll (170), Jack Kiser (191), Isaiah Foskey (203), NaNa Osafo-Mensah (222) and Isaiah Rutherford (231)
• Seven members of the Rivals.com 250: Quinn Carroll (68), Kyle Hamilton (75), Litchfield Ajavon (106), Isaiah Rutherford (110), Zeke Correll (114), John Olmstead (118) and Osita Ekwonu (232)
• Twelve members of the ESPN 300: Jacob Lacey (115), Zeke Correll (148), Kyle Hamilton (165), Osita Ekwonu (175), Quinn Carroll (177), Isaiah Foskey (209), KJ Wallace (218), Andrew Kristofic (228), John Olmstead (241), NaNa Osafo-Mensah (255), Litchfield Ajavon (270) and Hunter Spears (272)

Kendall Abdur-Rahman
Wide Receiver
6-0, 185
Edwardsville, Illinois (Edwardsville)

• No. 30 athlete nationally and No. 7 player from Illinois by 247Sports.com
• No. 40 athlete nationally and No. 7 player from Illinois by ESPN.com
• No. 21 player from Illinois by Rivals.com
• Two-time All-State selection rushed for 1,135 yards and 19 TDs as a senior in 2018 (also threw for 647 yards and 15 TDs)
• Of the 19 rushing TDs, 10 came from at least 40 yards and he finished with five scores of 80 yards or more
• Played for coach Matt Martin at Edwardsville High School

Litchfield Ajavon
Defensive Back
5-11, 185
Baltimore, Maryland (Episcopal {VA})

• No. 223 overall player nationally, No. 19 safety nationally and No. 6 player from Virginia by 247Sports.com
• No. 273 overall player nationally, No. 18 safety nationally and No. 8 player from Virginia by ESPN.com
• No. 87 overall player nationally, No. 5 safety nationally and No. 3 player from Virginia by Rivals.com
• Recorded 62 tackles, 2.0 TFLs, one interception and one fumble recovery as a senior in 2018
• Played for coach Mark Moroz at Episcopal High School (Virginia)

JD Bertrand
Linebacker
6-1, 200
Roswell, Georgia (Blessed Trinity)

• No. 318 overall player nationally, No. 18 outside linebacker nationally and No. 34 player from Georgia by 247Sports.com
• No. 26 outside linebacker nationally and No. 40 player from Georgia by ESPN.com
• No. 17 outside linebacker nationally and No. 36 player from Georgia by Rivals.com
• Registered 83 tackles, 13.0 TFLs, 4.0 sacks and one interception as a senior in 2018
• Helped Blessed Trinity to back-to-back Georgia Class AAAA State Championships in 2017 and 2018
• 2018 Atlanta Journal Constitution 7-AAAA First Team All-Region
• 2018 Atlanta Journal Constitution 7-AAAA Defensive Player of the Year
• Career stats: 278 tackles, 37.5 TFLs, 22.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles, two passes defended and one interception
• Played for coach Tim McFarlin at Blessed Trinity High School

Jay Bramblett
Punter
6-1, 185
Tuscaloosa, Alabama (Hillcrest)

• No. 2 punter nationally by 247Sports.com
• No. 5 punter nationally by ESPN.com
• No. 4 punter nationally by Rivals.com
• Chosen to participate in the 2019 All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas
• Averaged 45.1 yards/punt, including a season-long punt of 59 yards, as a senior in 2018
• Completed 178 of 260 passes for 2,341 yards and 18 TDs
• Chosen to participate in the 2019 All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas
• Played for coach Sam Adams at Hillcrest High School

Quinn Carroll
Offensive Line
6-6, 285
Edina, Minnesota (Edina)

• No. 108 overall player nationally, No. 12 offensive tackle nationally and No. 1 player from Minnesota by 247Sports.com
• No. 177 overall player nationally, No. 19 offensive tackle nationally and No. 1 player from Minnesota by ESPN.com
• No. 54 overall player nationally, No. 7 offensive tackle nationally and No. 1 player from Minnesota by Rivals.com
• 2018 Minnesota Associated Press First Team All-State
• 2018 Star Tribune First Team All-Metro
• Played for coach Derrin Lamker at Edina High School

Brendon Clark
Quarterback
6-2, 210
Midlothian, Virginia (Manchester)

• No. 21 pro-style quarterback nationally and No. 15 player from Virginia by 247Sports.com
• No. 21 dual-threat quarterback nationally and No. 12 player from Virginia by ESPN.com
• No. 19 pro-style quarterback nationally and No. 11 player from Virginia by Rivals.com
• Passed for 2,327 yards and 35 TDs (only threw one interception), and rushed for 774 yards and 17 TDs
• Career stats: 7,147 passing yards, 85 passing TDs, 2,067 rushing yards, 34 rushing TDs and 9,215 total yards
• Helped Manchester to a 15-0 record and 2018 Virginia High School League 6A State Championship
• Chosen to participate in the 2019 Polynesian Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii
• Played for coach Tom Hall at Manchester High School

Zeke Correll
Offensive Line
6-3, 275
Cincinnati, Ohio (Anderson)

• No. 119 overall player nationally, No. 7 offensive guard nationally and No. 4 player from Ohio by 247Sports.com
• No. 178 overall player nationally, No. 6 offensive guard nationally and No. 3 player from Ohio by ESPN.com
• No. 95 overall player nationally, No. 6 offensive guard nationally and No. 4 player from Ohio by Rivals.com
• 2018 Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association Division II First Team All-State
• Chosen to participate in the 2019 Under Armour All-American Game in Orlando, Florida
• Played for coach Evan Dreyer at Anderson High School

Howard Cross III
Defensive Line
6-1, 265
Paramus, New Jersey (Saint Joseph Regional)

• No. 336 overall player nationally, No. 25 strongside defensive end nationally and No. 8 player from New Jersey by 247Sports.com
• No. 54 defensive end nationally and No. 11 player from New Jersey by ESPN.com
• No. 27 strongside defensive end nationally and No. 8 player from New Jersey by Rivals.com
• Recorded 76 tackles, 22.0 TFLs, 9.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries, two passes defended and one forced fumble as a senior in 2018
• Career stats: 218 tackles, 45.0 TFLs, 22.0 sacks, four fumble recoveries, two passes defended and two forced fumbles
• Helped Saint Joseph to its 19th New Jersey State Championship in 2018
• Named 2018 NJ.com State Player of the Year
• Played for coach Augie Hoffmann at Saint Joseph Regional
• Father, Howard Jr., played 13 years in the NFL for the New York Giants (1989-2001)
• Howard Jr. helped the Giants to a Super Bowl XXV victory over the Buffalo Bills

Osita Ekwonu
Linebacker
6-1, 220
Charlotte, North Carolina (Providence Day School)

• No. 215 overall player nationally, No. 13 inside linebacker nationally and No. 7 player from North Carolina by 247Sports.com
• No. 173 overall player nationally, No. 14 outside linebacker nationally and No. 5 player from North Carolina by ESPN.com
• No. 228 overall player nationally, No. 12 inside linebacker nationally and No. 10 player from North Carolina by Rivals.com
• 2018 North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association Second Team All-State
• 2018 Charlotte Independent School Athletic Association First Team All-Conference
• Played for coach Adam Hastings at Providence Day School

Isaiah Foskey
Defensive Lineman
6-5, 240
Antioch, California (De La Salle High School)

• No. 203 overall player nationally, No. 13 weak side defensive end nationally and No. 27 player from California by 247Sports.com
• No. 209 overall player nationally, No. 23 defensive end nationally and No. 24 player from California by ESPN.com
• No. 15 weak side defensive end nationally and No. 42 player from California by Rivals.com
• Participated in the 2019 All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas
• Named First Team All-Bay Area News Group
• Awarded First Team All-East Bay Athletic League
• Helped De La Salle High School to the 2018 North Coast Section Open Division championship
• Played for coach Justin Alumbaugh at De La Salle High School

Kyle Hamilton
Defensive Back
6-3, 190
Atlanta, Georgia (Marist School)

• No. 103 overall player nationally, No. 8 safety nationally and No. 10 player from Georgia by 247Sports.com
• No. 282 overall player nationally, No. 19 safety nationally and No. 32 player from Georgia by ESPN.com
• No. 97 overall player nationally, No. 8 safety nationally and No. 9 player from Georgia by Rivals.com
• 2018 American Family Insurance Defensive Player of the Year Finalist
• 2018 Atlanta Journal Constitution 7-AAAA First Team All-Region
• 2018 Atlanta Journal Constitution 7-AAAA Special Teams Player of the Year
• Chosen to participate in the 2019 All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas
• Played for coach Alan Chadwick at Marist School

Cam Hart
Wide Receiver
6-3, 190
Baltimore, Maryland (Good Counsel)

• No. 97 wide receiver nationally and No. 12 player from Maryland by 247Sports.com
• No. 32 wide receiver nationally and No. 8 player from Maryland by ESPN.com
• No. 58 wide receiver nationally and No. 11 player from Maryland by Rivals.com
• Played for coach Andy Stefanelli at Good Counsel High School

Jack Kiser
Linebacker
6-1, 205
Royal Center, Indiana (Pioneer)

• No. 66 outside linebacker nationally and No. 12 player from Indiana by 247Sports.com
• No. 95 outside linebacker nationally and No. 15 player from Indiana by ESPN.com
• No. 15 player from Indiana by Rivals.com
• Led Pioneer High School to back-to-back Indiana Class A state championships as a junior and senior
• 2018 IndyStar Mr. Football
• In 2018 Pioneer High School went 15-0, 11 victories by shutout, and outscored its opponents, 936-39, including a 60-0 win over North Vermillion in the state finals
• Recorded 159 tackles, seven interceptions, six forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries as a linebacker
• Passed for 1,183 yards and 18 TDs, and rushed for 2,109 yards and 44 TDs
• Career stats: 3,771 passing yards, 59 passing TDs, 7,364 rushing yards, 139 rushing TDs, 37 100-yard rushing games, 9,174 all-purpose yards, 11,257 total yards, 424 tackles, 32 passes defended, 20.5 TFLs, 20 interceptions, nine forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and two blocked punts
• Played for coach Adam Berry at Pioneer High School

Andrew Kristofic
Offensive Line
6-5, 275
Gibsonia, Pennsylvania (Pine-Richland)

• Will enroll at Notre Dame and begin taking classes in January 2019
• No. 229 overall player nationally, No. 21 offensive tackle nationally and No. 1 player from Pennsylvania by 247Sports.com
• No. 35 offensive tackle nationally and No. 2 player from Pennsylvania by ESPN.com
• No. 27 offensive tackle nationally and No. 5 player from Pennsylvania by Rivals.com
• Chosen to participate in the 2019 All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas
• High school teammate of freshman quarterback Phil Jurkovec
• Played for coach Eric Kasperowicz at Pine-Richland High School

Jacob Lacey
Defensive Line
6-2, 295
Bowling Green, Kentucky (South Warren)

• No. 157 overall player nationally, No. 10 defensive tackle nationally and No. 3 player from Kentucky by 247Sports.com
• No. 114 overall player nationally, No. 13 defensive tackle nationally and No. 1 player from Kentucky by ESPN.com
• No. 21 defensive tackle nationally and No. 8 player from Kentucky by Rivals.com
• Recorded 80 tackles, 34.0 TFLs, 14.0 sacks, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery as a senior in 2018
• Helped South Warren High School to a Kentucky State 5A Championship in 2018
• 2018 Kentucky 5A Player of the Year
• Played for coach Brandon Smith at South Warren High School

Marist Liufau
Linebacker
6-2, 205
Kalihi, Hawaii (Punahou)

• No. 29 outside linebacker nationally and No. 6 player from Hawaii by 247Sports.com
• No. 51 outside linebacker nationally and No. 7 player from Hawaii by ESPN.com
• No. 32 outside linebacker nationally and No. 6 player from Hawaii by Rivals.com
• 2018 Interscholastic League of Honolulu Open Division All-Star
• Awarded 2018 Interscholastic League of Honolulu Defensive MVP
• Chosen to participate in the 2019 Polynesian Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii
• Played for coach Kale Ane at Punahou High School

Harrison Leonard
Kicker
5-11, 185
Jamestown, Rhode Island (Avon Old Farms School for Boys [CT])

• No. 23 kicker nationally by 247Sports.com
• No. 9 kicker nationally by ESPN.com
• Chosen to participate in the 2018 Blue-Grey All-American Bowl in Arlington, Texas
• Played for coach Pierce Brennan at Avon Old Farms School for Boys

John Olmstead
Offensive Line
6-4, 280
North Brunswick, New Jersey (St. Joseph)

• Will enroll at Notre Dame and begin taking classes in January 2019
• No. 180 overall player nationally, No. 19 offensive tackle nationally and No. 4 player from New Jersey by 247Sports.com
• No. 246 overall player nationally, No. 26 offensive tackle nationally and No. 5 player from New Jersey by ESPN.com
• No. 111 overall player nationally, No. 16 offensive tackle nationally and No. 3 player from New Jersey by Rivals.com
• 2018 NJ.com All-Non-Public First Team
• 2018 News Tribune All-Greater Middlesex Conference
• Played for coach Rich Hilliard at St. Joseph High School

NaNa Osafo-Mensah
Defensive Line
6-3, 235
Fort Worth, Texas (Nolan Catholic)

• No. 138 overall player nationally, No. 7 weakside defensive end nationally and No. 20 player from Texas by 247Sports.com
• No. 160 overall player nationally, No. 18 defensive end nationally and No. 24 player from Texas by ESPN.com
• No. 200 overall player nationally, No. 9 weakside defensive end nationally and No. 24 player from Texas by by Rivals.com
• Recorded 28 tackles, 10.0 TFLs, 9.0 sacks, four passes defended, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries as a senior in 2018
• Chosen to participate in the 2019 All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas
• Played for coach David Beaudin at Nolan Catholic High School

Conor Ratigan
Wide Receiver 
6-0, 170
Granger, Indiana (St. Joseph)

• 2018 Second Team Northern Indiana Conference
• Played for coach Byron Whitten at St. Joseph High School
• Father, Brian, is in his 11th year in 2018 as head of orthopaedic sports medicine for Irish football and baseball
• Brian was a four-year monogram winner and linebacker at Notre Dame (1989-92)

Isaiah Rutherford
Defensive Back
6-0, 175
Sacramento, California (Jesuit)

• No. 202 overall player nationally, No. 23 cornerback nationally and No. 27 player from California by 247Sports.com
• No. 27 cornerback nationally, No. 37 player from California and No. 52 player from the West region by ESPN.com
• No. 101 overall player nationally, No. 10 cornerback nationally and No. 15 player from California by Rivals.com
• Named 2018 First Team National Football Foundation All-Sac-Joaquin Section
• Rushed for 678 yards and 12 TDs on 90 attempts and added 185 receiving yards and four TDs as a senior in 2018
• Career stats: 2,809 rushing yards, 38 rushing TDs, 13 100-yard rushing games, 45 receptions, 563 receiving yards, seven TD catches, 50 tackles and three interceptions
• Helped Jesuit High School reach the California Interscholastic Federation Sac-Joaquin Section Division II semifinals
• Chosen to participate in the 2019 Polynesian Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii
• Played for coach Marlon Blanton at Jesuit High School

Hunter Spears
Defensive Line
6-3, 295
Garland, Texas (Sachse)

• Will enroll at Notre Dame and begin taking classes in January 2019
• No. 292 overall player nationally, No. 20 defensive tackle nationally and No. 36 player from Texas by 247Sports.com
• No. 275 overall player nationally, No. 33 defensive end nationally and No. 36 player from Texas by ESPN.com
• No. 33 strongside defensive end nationally and No. 49 player from Texas by Rivals.com
• Recorded 58 tackles, 24.0 TFLs, 5.0 sacks, two passes defended, two forced fumbles and one interception as a senior in 2018
• Missed the last month of his senior season following a torn ACL
• Played for coach Mark Behrens at Sachse High School

KJ Wallace
Defensive Back
5-11, 190
Atlanta, Georgia (The Lovett School)

• No. 303 overall player nationally, No. 32 cornerback nationally and No. 32 player from Georgia by 247Sports.com
• No. 225 overall player nationally, No. 17 cornerback nationally and No. 27 player from Georgia by ESPN.com
• No. 59 cornerback nationally and No. 46 player from Georgia by Rivals.com
• Recorded 34 tackles, 1.5 sacks, two interceptions and six passes defended, as well as 511 rushing yards and eight TDs on 69 attempts, and 441 receiving yards and two TD catches as a senior in 2018
• Career stats: 763 rushing yards, 15 rushing TDs, 145 receptions, 1,631 receiving yards, 15 TD catches, 109 tackles and five interceptions
• Played for coach Mike Muschamp at The Lovett School

Kyren Williams
Running Back
5-9, 200
Saint Louis, Missouri (St. John Vianney)

• Will enroll at Notre Dame and began taking classes in January 2019
• No. 380-ranked overall player nationally, No. 22 running back nationally and No. 6 player from Missouri by 247Sports.com
• No. 28 running back nationally and No. 9 player from Missouri by ESPN.com
• No. 36 running back nationally and No. 6 player from Missouri by Rivals.com
• 2018 Missouri Football Coaches Association First Team All-State
• 2018 Missouri Football Coaches Association Class 5 Offensive Player of the Year
• Helped St. John Vianney to the 2018 Class 5 Missouri State Championship
• Responsible for 354 total yards, including a state-championship game record 289 yards rushing, in the state final victory
• 2,035 rushing yards, 725 receiving yards and 40 total touchdowns as a senior in 2018
• Played for coach Paul Day at St. John Vianney High School

— ND —