Notre Dame Signs Safety Kennedy Urlacher

Notre Dame has signed Arizona safeKennedy Urlacher. The son of Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher is part of a much-needed quality safety class for the Irish.

KENNEDY URLACHER PROFILE

Hometown/High School: Chandler, Ariz./Chandler
Height/Weight: 6-0, 180

IB Grade: 3.5 (Top 300 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.0

Recruited By: Chris O'Leary

Offers: Notre Dame, Miami, Penn State, Nebraska, TCU, Washington, Wisconsin, Iowa, Stanford, Kansas State, Arizona State, Arizona, Cal, Kansas

2023 Stats: 47 tackles, 1 INT, 1 break ups, 2 forced fumbles
2022 Stats: 34 tackles, 1 INT, 2 break ups

Career Stats: 84 tackles, 2 INT, 3 break ups, 2 forced fumbles

Honors: 2023 First Team All-6A Premier

Player Comp: Alohi Gilman, Notre Dame

RECRUITING RANKINGS

Rivals: 4-star - No. 37 safety
On3: 3-star - No. 83 safety
247Sports: 3-star - No. 89 safety
ESPN: 3-star - No. 111 safety
247Sports Composite: 3-star - No. 624 overall - No. 65 safety
On3 Consensus: 3-star - No. 701 overall - No. 72 safety

NOTRE DAME FIT

Urlacher gives Notre Dame an alley safety that can be a major weapon in the run game, but he also has talent that should allow him to match up against opposing tight ends. Notre Dame likes to use its safeties in an interchangeable manner, and Urlacher has the range to play off the hash as well. The safety position has been a major problem from a tackling standpoint in recent seasons, and Urlacher upgrades that area.

BREAKING DOWN

Bryan Driskell, Owner: "As you would expect from an Urlacher, the first thing you see on film is a defender that not only delivers punishment on ball carriers, but he really enjoys it. Urlacher isn't the biggest guy, but he's a highly impactful tackler. I love his attitude and demeanor in the run game. The Arizona native has very good range downhill, he's a quick starter and wide receivers struggle to handle him. He's a strong form tackler as well. Urlacher is a quality athlete that shows good suddenness, change of direction and closing speed. I don't see much of him in coverage, so that's still a question mark, but the tools are there."

Ryan Roberts, Recruiting Director: "Urlacher plays a tenacious brand of football, profiling as a heat seeking missile on the next level. He comes downhill with very bad intentions, coming to balance and finishing plays with outstanding play strength. Urlacher is also a smooth mover who excels most in zone coverage, where his instincts can kick in. Moving forward, he must show a greater impact working from depth and impacting the passing game consistently."