Ben Councell (Asheville, N.C./A.C. Reynolds) wanted to be sure it was more than just the "hype" of his recent visit to Notre Dame that excited him about a possible future in South Bend.
It definitely was.
On Sunday, the 6-foot-5, 225-pound outside linebacker pulled the trigger, giving his verbal commitment to the Irish staff. He chose Notre Dame over Georgia Tech, North Carolina and South Carolina.
After touring the majority of the programs on his final list, Councell took a trip to South Bend last week to assess the Irish. Then he digested the visit and ultimately decided that Notre Dame was the most comfortable fit.
“I made a visit to most of the schools I was thinking about, and after I visited Notre Dame, I wanted to think on it for a week and make sure it wasn't just the hype I was feeling,” he said. “After thinking on it more, it was the right fit for me. “The coaches had a lot to do with it. I had a great feeling there on my visit. The tradition, academics, football program and the time the coaches took out of their day on my visit did it for me. The defense is a perfect fit for me.”
“I think the biggest thing is he’s 6-5, but he runs well," A.C. Reynolds head coach Shane Laws told ISD in the past. Councell will play the DOG backer position in the Irish defense. "He’s a legit 4.4 guy, and at 6-5, he can cover a lot of ground, and when he gets there he’s bringing it too. On top of that, he’s very intelligent.
“He was a big part (of our state championship). Blocked a field goal at the end of the game to pretty much seal the win for us. It was a big deal for us. He made a lot of big plays in the game, and made a lot of big plays all year long. You don’t play in state championship game without players like Ben Councell.”
Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly thinks he can play in National Championship games with players like Ben Councell.
Councell also held scholarship offers from the likes of Auburn, Maryland, North Carolina State, Wake Forest, East Carolina and Duke.
