On Saturday, Everett (Mass.) offensive tackle John Montelus gave a verbal commitment to play for Notre Dame in 2013. The 6-foot-5, 315 pounder anchored the Everett HS offensive line, leading the Everett Crimson Tide to a second straight Super Bowl title.
"I knew right away this was the place I wanted to play at. Committing is a huge weight off my shoulder," Montelus said from inside the Notre Dame locker room along with Everett line coach Mike Milo. "I liked the academics and I loved the coaching staff. I can see myself playing here."
A four-star recruit according to Rivals, Montelus also claimed offers from Boston College, Connecticut, Florida, Michigan, Nebraska, North Carolina, N.C. State, Ohio State, Rutgers, Syracuse, Utah, Vanderbilt, Virginia and West Virginia.
With such an exhaustive offer sheet, I'm not going to get too upset that Brian Kelly was able to pluck Montelus out of BC's own backyard. I'm sure Kelly's ties to his hometown of Everett factored into Montelus' decision. But I do think Montelus' commitment is symptomatic of a larger recruiting issue.
In recent years, BC has been unable to retain top in-state talent. For a state that simply does not have the same yield as other recruiting areas, this could lead to a disastrous effect down the line. Last year, BC landed just one of the Top 10 ranked Massachusetts recruits according to Rivals after offering eight of 10. The yield last year was way down when compared to years prior, with the Eagles landing half of the Mass. Top 10 offered from 2008-2011.
While Rivals hasn't released its Massachusetts Top 10 for 2013, the site has released its 2013 position rankings. Montelus is a lock for being named one of Massachusetts' Top 10 in 2013, as are two defensive tackles that play in the Bay State. Whether BC can keep one of both of these two prospects in-state will be extremely telling as to how this year's recruiting class will shape up.
-- Maurice Hurst Jr., DT, Xaverian Brothers (Westwood, Mass.). Ranked as the 24th best defensive tackle in the 2013 class, Hurst Jr. claims offers from Connecticut, Duke, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan State, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, N.C. State, Ohio State, Purdue, Temple, Vanderbilt and Virginia.
-- Tevin Montgomery, DT, Tabor Academy (Marion, Mass.). Ranked just behind Hurst Jr. at 27th, Montgomery's offer sheet includes Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rutgers, Temple and Virginia.