What the experts are saying about new Notre Dame commit Anthonie Knapp
Notre Dame’s newest commitment in the 2024 class came together quickly, as Roswell (Ga.) High’s Anthonie Knapp, the No. 534 overall prospect and No. 34 offensive tackle per the On3 Industry Ranking, picked up an offer from the Irish five days ago and announced his pledge Wednesday.
What do the experts think about the newest addition to Notre Dame’s 2024 class?
On3 director of scouting and rankings Charles Power:
“Knapp is a developmental offensive line prospect who plays tackle at the high school level, and we think he has the athletic ability to play out on the edge in college, but for a long term projection, he’s most likely to slide inside due to his length. There’s a lot to like about Knapp based on what he showed as a junior.
“He debuted as a high three-star for us in the most recent 2024 rankings update, and he has a pretty big frame. He’s gained weight recently and has 10-inch hands. He has the frame to continue to add good weight once he’s in a strength and conditioning program at the college level while maintaining the feet he has.
“As a player, he moves like you’d expect for a lineman his size. It’s what you want to see. He has very light feet and moves well to the second level. What is surprising and encouraging on his junior film is the physicality that he plays with. He is a very assertive drive blocker. He has some emphatic finishes, and that bodes well if Knapp ends up as a center or guard. The mentality and the technical skills as a run blocker is encouraging in addition to the tackle.
“In watching his film, he reminds me a little bit of former Texas and current Tennessee offensive lineman Andrej Karic. He’s a guy who played tackle early on in his career at Texas. He has the tackle athleticism but is more of an interior body long term.
“Knapp’s arrow is pointing up with his junior film, which was a good jump from his sophomore film.”
Prep Football Report recruiting analyst Tom Lemming:
“He’s a good, solid offensive lineman. He’s not a guy who will have the superpower schools chasing him, but he’s a good interior lineman. He’s more of a guard/center type — a blue-collar type lineman. He’s not going to create a lot of national buzz, but he’s a solid player. That’s the best way to describe him.”
Blue & Gold analyst Tim Hyde:
“When you think about Notre Dame offensive linemen, you think about the Midwest and Pennsylvania. Going down to the deep South is shocking. And he has a background with Joe Rudolph, who worked out Knapp at a camp at Virginia Tech [last summer]. Rudolph really liked him, and I trust his judgment. He signed a lot of three-star recruits at Wisconsin who ended up in the NFL.
“He has a strike and punch that is violent as can be. He uses great leverage and his feet do not stop. Pancake after pancake — he plays with nastiness. He’s a bully. He’ll get after you and attack you. I’ve watched Knapp’s film a handful of times, and his footwork is outstanding. He uses a great kick step and has a really good had punch. He has fantastic film and is a very good athlete.”
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