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Notre Dame's Autry Denson Wants To Continue To Recruit Alabama

Denson might have signed eight recruits out of Florida last cycle, but he isn't afraid to recruit Alabama.
Denson might have signed eight recruits out of Florida last cycle, but he isn't afraid to recruit Alabama.

Notre Dame assistant coach Autry Denson drew plenty of praise last week on National Signing Day for his recruiting efforts in Florida. The Irish were able to sign eight prospects from the state which marked the most in a single class for the program in over 25 years. But while the Sunshine State native and former Notre Dame running back acknowledged that he was more than just successful recruiting in a territory that he calls home, he wasn’t afraid to admit that he missed on one prospect down the stretch.

“We let one get away,” Denson said when asked about his efforts in Alabama, a state where the Irish went head-to-head with the Crimson Tide for five-star linebacker Ben Davis, but ended up losing out in the end.

“You talk about competition, man," he said. "It is what it is … If that’s the best, then put me there. That’s just my mindset. If it’s tough to get a kid out of Alabama, send me there seven days a week and twice on Sunday so we can go out and get that kid."

But 'tough' doesn't begin to describe how difficult it is to lure a prospect out of a state that has claimed five of the past seven national championships. Since 2005, Alabama has ranked the Rivals.com's top ranked prospect in the state 11 out of the 12 years. In the same time frame just three of the state's top five prospects over the years elected to play for a school outside of the SEC.

The numbers suggest that Notre Dame is fighting more than just an uphill battle, but that doesn't phase Denson.

"For a Notre Dame kid, I don’t care where he is. We will get a Notre Dame kid," Denson said. "Alabama is tough ... I can’t wait to get back there."

And Denson won't have to wait long to return to the Yellowhammer State.

The running backs coach has already offered three of Alabama's top prospects for the next recruiting cycle and welcomed two top juniors to campus for unofficial visits this past season in Gadsden (Ala.) Southside four-star running back Alaric Williams and Madison (Ala.) Bob Jones three-star safety AJ Harris.

Harris, who holds offers from Duke, Michigan, Florida State and Vanderbilt, said Denson was the initial reason why he wanted to make the trek to South Bend for the USC game even without a bid in hand from the Irish.

"He's great coach and fun to be around," Harris, Rivals.com's No. 20 safety and No. 14 recruit in Alabama, said. "He sends me quotes to start my day off with and that means a lot from a coach who you could be playing for on Saturdays."

Williams — who is committed to Auburn — agreed with the assessment.

"[Coach Denson] is cool," Williams, Rivals.com's No. 13 athlete and No. 139 overall prospect in the country, said after an October visit. "I just feel like I need to get out of the South and keep my options open and that's what [Denson] has been saying."

Whether Williams, Harris or top Alabama prospects like McCalla (Ala.) McAdory Rivals100 athlete Malcolm Askew and Madison (Ala.) Academy Rivals250 tackle Austin Troxell eventually land at Notre Dame remains to be seen, but it's clear that Denson isn't ready to give up on the state after striking out in 2016.

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