Svoboda
03-14-2007, 08:39 PM
MIKE GOLIC - Offensive Center
Northwest Catholic
6-foot-5, 260 lbs, 5.1 secs
It's not often a blue chip prospect gets to follow in his father's footsteps and play at a program as prestigious as Notre Dame. Despite being a legacy, the younger Golic earned his spot among the Class of 2008 with his hard work on and off the field from his All-Conference team nods to his perfect 4.0 grade point average in the classroom.
On the field, Golic is a man among boys with his massive six-foot-five, 260 pound frame. Playing on both the offensive and defensive lines for his Northwest Catholic squad, Golic often overpowers his opponents with his brute strength. In addition to his strength, Golic is surprisingly very fundamentally sound, which is a rare combination among high school lineman. He keeps a nice wide base and his pads down, which leads to gaping holes for his backs to run through. When Golic does hit the ground, he's often on the giving end of a pancake block to his defender.
If there is a question mark in regards to Golic, it lies in his level of competition. The state of Connecticut doesn't put out many blue chip Division I prospects, but this isn't something that is within Golic's control. He may need some time to get acclimated to the college game, but once he gets time in the weight room and on the college eating plan, look for Golic to blossom into that frame and make his father but a footnote.
JOHN GOODMAN - Wide Receiver
Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger
6-foot-5, 190 lbs, 4.5 secs
At first glance, Bishop Dwenger's John Goodman is oft compared to former Irish wide receiver standout Jeff Samardzija. As flattering that may seem, Goodman could be getting the short end of the stick by the time he hangs up his cleats at Notre Dame.
Standing in at a lanky six-foot-five inches and 190 pounds, Goodman has an added dimension to his game that Samardzija lacked: speed. As a junior, he was frequently clocked in the 4.5 range and backed up those numbers with a great all-around performance at the US Army All-American Combine held in San Antonio in early January. His performance at the combine capped his solid junior season where he caught 40 balls for 815 yards (20.4 yards per catch) and 10 touchdowns.
Goodman also shined on special teams, returning both punts and kickoffs for the Bishop Dwenger Saints. In one game against the South Side Archers, Goodman took the opening kickoff 94 yards for the score and also returned a punt 82 yards for a score, although it was called back due to penalty. On the season Goodman returned 10 kickoffs for 416 yards (41.6 yards per return) and two scores and 14 punts for 244 yards (17.4 yards per return) and two more touchdowns.
This added dimension could allow for Goodman to see the field early and often when he finally makes it to South Bend. With early offers from Michigan and Iowa, it is safe to say that Goodman would have been a major prospect in the Class of 2008 before he ended his recruitment and made the commitment to the Irish.
BRAXSTON CAVE - Offensive Center
Penn High School
6-foot-4, 295 lbs, 5.1 secs
Growing up in Mishawaka, it's nearly impossible to grow up not having blue and gold blood running through your veins. Its no different for Class of 2008 offensive line prospect Braxston Cave, who just happens to be a six-foot-four, 295 pound mountain of a man that patrols the trenches for Penn every Friday night come high school football season.
Named after former Irish running back Braxston Banks, Cave has been a fan of Notre Dame virtually all of his life. When his hard work finally paid off with a scholarship offer to his dream school, it didn't take Cave long to let his intentions be known. Despite being wooed by National Champion Florida and Michigan (among many schools), Cave gave his commitment to Notre Dame and joined Golic and Goodman in the Class of 2008.
Because of Cave's college ready frame, Braxston is likely to jump in as a true freshman and compete right away for a spot on the Irish offensive line two deep depth chart. Cave currently benches over 400 pounds and puts up equally impressive squat numbers and he's only a junior, so you can expect those numbers to rise before he even sets foot on a college campus. Like Golic, competition issues are a question mark, but Cave is well coached and will have no troubles adjusting to the college game as Penn has a tradition of putting out skilled football players that are well prepared and team oriented. Braxston should be no different.
SEAN CWYNAR - Defensive End
Marian Central Catholic
6-foot-4, 280 lbs, NR
For those that follow Notre Dame recruiting religiously, there is some sweet irony that the first defensive commitment is a defensive tackle. Although Cwynar is likely to play the defensive end position in the 3/4 defensive scheme that Notre Dame plans to move to in 2007, Cwynar is the type of prospect that Rick Minter failed to reel in during his brief two year stint as the Irish defensive coordinator.
Listed as a pre-evaluation Top 250 player by the Rivals recruiting service, Cwynar also brings a very impressive skill set to the table for his size. Benching nearly 400 pounds and squating nearly 500 pounds, Cwynar is an absolute bull who loves to physically punish opposing linemen and ball carriers. To go with his solid strength numbers, Sean plays with great patience, keeping his pad level low and staying with his assigned responsibility.
In evaluating his junior film, there are a number of things that stick out about Cwynar. He has a knack for making plays and always seems to be around the ball and in on the tackle. One major surprise was his excellent pursuit skills, which even saw him drop back into coverage, cover the sideline, and make plays on opposing running backs and quarterbacks outside of the pocket. Cwynar totalled 102 tackles and recorded 17 sacks as a junior. Look for Cwynar to improve on his outstanding junior campaign and post even bigger numbers in his senior season. He's definitely going to be one to watch in the Class of 2008.
Northwest Catholic
6-foot-5, 260 lbs, 5.1 secs
It's not often a blue chip prospect gets to follow in his father's footsteps and play at a program as prestigious as Notre Dame. Despite being a legacy, the younger Golic earned his spot among the Class of 2008 with his hard work on and off the field from his All-Conference team nods to his perfect 4.0 grade point average in the classroom.
On the field, Golic is a man among boys with his massive six-foot-five, 260 pound frame. Playing on both the offensive and defensive lines for his Northwest Catholic squad, Golic often overpowers his opponents with his brute strength. In addition to his strength, Golic is surprisingly very fundamentally sound, which is a rare combination among high school lineman. He keeps a nice wide base and his pads down, which leads to gaping holes for his backs to run through. When Golic does hit the ground, he's often on the giving end of a pancake block to his defender.
If there is a question mark in regards to Golic, it lies in his level of competition. The state of Connecticut doesn't put out many blue chip Division I prospects, but this isn't something that is within Golic's control. He may need some time to get acclimated to the college game, but once he gets time in the weight room and on the college eating plan, look for Golic to blossom into that frame and make his father but a footnote.
JOHN GOODMAN - Wide Receiver
Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger
6-foot-5, 190 lbs, 4.5 secs
At first glance, Bishop Dwenger's John Goodman is oft compared to former Irish wide receiver standout Jeff Samardzija. As flattering that may seem, Goodman could be getting the short end of the stick by the time he hangs up his cleats at Notre Dame.
Standing in at a lanky six-foot-five inches and 190 pounds, Goodman has an added dimension to his game that Samardzija lacked: speed. As a junior, he was frequently clocked in the 4.5 range and backed up those numbers with a great all-around performance at the US Army All-American Combine held in San Antonio in early January. His performance at the combine capped his solid junior season where he caught 40 balls for 815 yards (20.4 yards per catch) and 10 touchdowns.
Goodman also shined on special teams, returning both punts and kickoffs for the Bishop Dwenger Saints. In one game against the South Side Archers, Goodman took the opening kickoff 94 yards for the score and also returned a punt 82 yards for a score, although it was called back due to penalty. On the season Goodman returned 10 kickoffs for 416 yards (41.6 yards per return) and two scores and 14 punts for 244 yards (17.4 yards per return) and two more touchdowns.
This added dimension could allow for Goodman to see the field early and often when he finally makes it to South Bend. With early offers from Michigan and Iowa, it is safe to say that Goodman would have been a major prospect in the Class of 2008 before he ended his recruitment and made the commitment to the Irish.
BRAXSTON CAVE - Offensive Center
Penn High School
6-foot-4, 295 lbs, 5.1 secs
Growing up in Mishawaka, it's nearly impossible to grow up not having blue and gold blood running through your veins. Its no different for Class of 2008 offensive line prospect Braxston Cave, who just happens to be a six-foot-four, 295 pound mountain of a man that patrols the trenches for Penn every Friday night come high school football season.
Named after former Irish running back Braxston Banks, Cave has been a fan of Notre Dame virtually all of his life. When his hard work finally paid off with a scholarship offer to his dream school, it didn't take Cave long to let his intentions be known. Despite being wooed by National Champion Florida and Michigan (among many schools), Cave gave his commitment to Notre Dame and joined Golic and Goodman in the Class of 2008.
Because of Cave's college ready frame, Braxston is likely to jump in as a true freshman and compete right away for a spot on the Irish offensive line two deep depth chart. Cave currently benches over 400 pounds and puts up equally impressive squat numbers and he's only a junior, so you can expect those numbers to rise before he even sets foot on a college campus. Like Golic, competition issues are a question mark, but Cave is well coached and will have no troubles adjusting to the college game as Penn has a tradition of putting out skilled football players that are well prepared and team oriented. Braxston should be no different.
SEAN CWYNAR - Defensive End
Marian Central Catholic
6-foot-4, 280 lbs, NR
For those that follow Notre Dame recruiting religiously, there is some sweet irony that the first defensive commitment is a defensive tackle. Although Cwynar is likely to play the defensive end position in the 3/4 defensive scheme that Notre Dame plans to move to in 2007, Cwynar is the type of prospect that Rick Minter failed to reel in during his brief two year stint as the Irish defensive coordinator.
Listed as a pre-evaluation Top 250 player by the Rivals recruiting service, Cwynar also brings a very impressive skill set to the table for his size. Benching nearly 400 pounds and squating nearly 500 pounds, Cwynar is an absolute bull who loves to physically punish opposing linemen and ball carriers. To go with his solid strength numbers, Sean plays with great patience, keeping his pad level low and staying with his assigned responsibility.
In evaluating his junior film, there are a number of things that stick out about Cwynar. He has a knack for making plays and always seems to be around the ball and in on the tackle. One major surprise was his excellent pursuit skills, which even saw him drop back into coverage, cover the sideline, and make plays on opposing running backs and quarterbacks outside of the pocket. Cwynar totalled 102 tackles and recorded 17 sacks as a junior. Look for Cwynar to improve on his outstanding junior campaign and post even bigger numbers in his senior season. He's definitely going to be one to watch in the Class of 2008.