After getting shut out in the Detroit area in the 2017 recruiting class, Notre Dame is having better luck in Motown early in the 2018 cycle.
The Fighting Irish picked up a Monday commitment from 5-11, 180-pound defensive back Kalon Gervin. The consensus 4-star standout is Notre Dame’s second 2018 commit from the Detroit area, joining Farmington Hills, Mich., linebacker Ovie Oghoufo, who pledged last summer.
Gervin is the No. 3 rising senior in Michigan, the No. 20 cornerback prospect nationally and the No. 164 player in his class, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings.
Gervin isn’t the biggest cornerback in the world, but he covers a lot of ground and possesses tremendous athleticism. On film, he demonstrates a nose for the football and ability to make up distance aggressively on opposing receivers. Also a wide receiver at the high school level, he has solid hands and is an aggressive blocker off the line of scrimmage.
The Fighting Irish didn’t have to wait long after offering Gervin on Feb. 6 to lock him down. He visited South Bend on Feb. 10 and committed to Notre Dame within 72 hours.
Gervin is the second defensive back to commit to Notre Dame’s 2018 class, as well as the ninth pledge overall. Another projected defensive back, Derrik Allen of Marietta, Ga., committed to the Fighting Irish the same day as Gervin.
Notre Dame had a flurry of recruiting activity just prior to Valentine’s Day. Gervin, Allen and Tennessee offensive lineman Cole Mabry all committed since Sunday.