Safety prospect eyeing Irish

Max Redfield may know which schools are currently at the top of the
list, but the safety from Mission Viejo, Calif., is in no hurry to
make a decision.

The senior-to-be at Mission Viejo High said Oregon, USC, Washington,
LSU and Notre Dame are leading at this point, but he’s not planning on
announcing a decision until the Under Armour All-American game in
January. Those five schools combined with a couple others leave
Redfield in a flexible situation.

“If I had to make a decision today, I honestly don’t know what it
would be,” Redfield said. “I’m just playing everything out and taking
my time with it all.”

Redfield, who is rated as the No. 4 safety in the 2013 class by both
Rivals.com and 247Sports.com, is one of several top safety prospects
in California. Vista Murrieta’s Su’a Cravens announced his commitment
to USC on Wednesday, but fellow California safeties Tahaan Goodman and
Hatari Byrd remain uncommitted like Redfield. All four safeties have
Pac-12 heavy offer lists and each decision could impact the other.

Redfield said he’d been in touch with Cravens and was interested to
see where he would commit, but that he doesn’t foresee anyone’s
decision impacting the way he looks at schools.

“I don’t think it will ultimately affect me because I’ve got to focus
on me and what’s best for my decision, not as much other people,”
Redfield said.

This spring, Redfield visited USC for its junior day and spring game.
He plans on visiting Oregon and Washington this summer, but won’t be
able to make a trip to South Bend for an unofficial visit. Redfield
said he’s planning on taking one of his official visits to Notre Dame
in the fall.

To date, Redfield believes the five schools at the top of his list
offer similar things. Redfield listed academics, comfortability with
the campus, program prestige and trust in the coaching staff as key
factors.

“They’re all just all-around great programs and I feel like if I went
there I can reach my full potential,” Redfield said. “Even if I didn’t
make it to the NFL, which is my ultimate goal, I’ll still be
successful and get a good career that I’d be interested in.”

ND wide receivers coach Mike Denbrock has been recruiting the
6-foot-3, 195-pound Redfield.

“I feel pretty open with him and I can talk to him almost like a
friend,” Redfield said of Denbrock. “We talk over Facebook a lot and
he’s been out to Mission a few times as well.”

Redfield played both safety and wide receiver as a junior, but most
programs project him as a safety. Redfield recorded 91 tackles and
three interceptions on defense and 420 receiving yards and five
touchdowns on offense.

At safety, Redfield said he has elite ball-hawking skills that allow
him to read the quarterback and make plays on pass attempts. He said
he’s not afraid to come up and hit to stop the run as well.

While Redfield has his sights on the NFL, Notre Dame has been able to
use the success of former Notre Dame safety Harrison Smith as an
example after he was drafted in the first round by the Minnesota
Vikings.

“They’ve definitely mentioned it,” Redfield said. “It definitely
proves to me that they can help get you to that ultimate level of the
NFL.”

Clement solidifies plans

Running back Corey Clement told the Tribune on Wednesday that he has
finalized summer visit plans to Pittsburgh on June 16 and Notre Dame
on June 22. The 5-11, 206-pound senior-to-be plays at Glassboro (N.J.)
High and is excited about his trip to Notre Dame.

“I’m fired up to visit the campus, coaching staff and all!” Clement
said in a text message.

Commits make ESPN list

ESPN released updated rankings for the class of 2013 and eight of the
13 Notre Dame commits made the new Top 300 list. Here are their
rankings: linebacker Jaylon Smith (20), offensive lineman Colin
McGovern (88), offensive lineman Hunter Bivin (94), quarterback Malik
Zaire (172), cornerback Devin Butler (179), tight end Mike Heuerman
(251), offensive lineman John Montelus (289), and cornerback Rashad
Kinlaw (295).

More invites to Nike camp

A pair of Notre Dame commits were extended invites this week to Nike
Football’s The Opening camp in Beaverton, Ore., from July 5-8.
Offensive lineman Steve Elmer and wide receiver James Onwualu were
added to the roster of 116 players that have been invited through
Tuesday night. Cornerback Devin Butler also owns a spot in the camp
which will extend 150 invites.