Notre Dame Signs WR Lorenzo Styles Jr

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have signed wide receiver Lorenzo Styles Jr.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have signed WR Lorenzo Styles Jr.

LORENZO STYLES JR PROFILE

Hometown: Pickerington, Ohio
High School: Central

Height: 6-0
Weight: 175

2020 Stats: 16 catches, 263 yards, 16.4 YPC, 2 TD / 43 rushes, 432 yards, 10.0 YPC, 3 TD / returned 3 punts and 1 kickoff for a TD

IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 100 caliber player)
Upside Grade: 4.5

Offers: Notre Dame, Ohio State, Florida, Auburn, Penn State, Michigan, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Louisville, Kentucky, West Virginia, Pittsburgh, Northwestern, Mississippi State, Purdue, Indiana, Boston College, Maryland, Duke, Vanderbilt

Recruited By: Chip Long, DelVaughn Alexander

Rivals: 4-star - No. 55 overall
247Sports: 4-star - No. 132 overall
ESPN: 4-star - No. 247 overall
Composite: 4-star - No. 115 overall

FILM ANALYSIS

I liked Styles quite a bit as a junior, but his senior performance was significantly better, and he became a sure-fire Top 100 prospect in my view. Styles was recruited by some programs as a cornerback, but it is on offense where his game truly shines, and that was obvious during his final season of high school. Styles looked far more comfortable playing on offense, and his opportunities to carry the ball out of the backfield showed there's even more to his game than athleticism.

The Pickerington (Ohio) Central standout is an explosive athlete, and after breaking down his junior film I mentioned there was still another gear for him. We saw that gear during his senior year, as Styles showed an exceptional burst on offense and special teams. He could turn short gains into home runs, and his ability to take the top off the defense is there, even though he didn't get a chance to do it much in high school.

Styles has quick feet, top-notch change of direction skills and good strength for his size. Those traits give him the potential to eventually develop into an outstanding route runner, but right now they make him dynamic with the ball in his hands. Styles' combination of suddenness and explosiveness makes him a dangerous offensive weapon.

One thing that has always surprised me about Styles is that although he is quite thin and doesn't have an overly imposing physique, he's quite physical and strong. That only enhances his ability to make plays after the catch, and those traits combine with his suddenness to give him potential to be a difference maker as a punt returner.

NOTRE DAME FIT

Styles fits in well to both field receiver positions in the Notre Dame offense. His vertical speed, ball skills and route running potential fit well to the X (outside) spot, and his quickness, ability to win off the line, speed to outrun defenders across the field and after-the-catch potential fit into the slot position just as well.

Styles has the athleticism, toughness and instincts to play early on, and with some work as a route runner he could be very hard to keep off the field as a freshman. He is the kind of athlete the coaching staff absolutely must find an early role for.

I could see Styles being an impact player in the punt return game as a freshman as well. He has the combination of strength, explosiveness and vision to thrive in that part of the game.

JOHN GARCIA, SI ALL-AMERICAN ON STYLES

"We in the evaluation business are excited to see Styles settle at one position at the next level. A gadget offensive player as a wide receiver and running back hybrid, he's also got secondary experience hard to ignore. As a wide receiver projection Styles can hone on in the intricacies of the position down the line, but his raw traits as a play-maker could help him make an early impact on occasion. He doesn't have track star speed but plays functional, especially after the catch, to manufacture touches even at a place like ND."

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