Kennedy Urlacher, Chandler (AZ) HS
Class of 2024 Safety
University Of Notre Dame Commit
Having whittled down a list featuring a chock full of highly prominent Division-I programs, 2024 Chandler (AZ) safety Kennedy Urlacher ultimately decided between a formidable final four of Notre Dame, Miami, Kansas State, and TCU.
On May 1, Urlacher made it official, giving a verbal pledge to Notre Dame.
Fast, physical, known for his ferocious tackles and versatile ball-tracking skill set, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound Urlacher bolstered his recruiting stock consderably this past fall.
The son of famed NFL linebacker Brian Urlacher, he of the decorated 13-year career, Urlacher brings the intangibles and work rate of a quintessential buy-in guy.
Playing for a Chandler HS program which employs a steadfast, live in the moment mentality and emphasizes daily goals, Urlacher inherits a prominent leadership role next season.
Sustained relentlessness and boundless energy courses through Urlacher’s veins.
The seasoned, rising senior safety has developed into a vocal leader and a thorough ball hawk.
A high octane hitter regardless of the opponent, Urlacher approaches practice as if a national championship is at stake.
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One of the country’s most hotly courted safeties has formulated a growing relationship with Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman..
Feels a certain connection with him.
Honesty appears to play an integral role in the rapport Urlacher and Freeman have established.
While many tireless recruiters in our current climate tend to be script readers, aggressive hype artists, and deliverers of promises they do not always keep, Urlacher saw nary a tinge of embellishment or BS vibes in Freeman.
The authenticity of Freeman and the entire staff, along with their vision for Urlacher, ultimately persuaded the prized recruit to chose UND.
“Coach Freeman, I like him a lot,” Urlacher said.
“He’s a high energy guy, and it is really the same mentality with (defensive backs coach) Coach (Chris) O’Leary. They were very genuine and authentic. I’m going in there as a safety, a ball-hawking safety. More of a strong safety.
Urlacher provides a significant wow factor, which pioneered Chandler defensively this past season. He turned a fumble recovery 96 yards to the house for a touchdown during a season-opening 63-7 trouncing of Central Catholic. The South Bend-bound bulldozer added seven tackles in that performance, helping stymie a run-heavy offense.
“Really as soon as the ball was hiked,” I was running to the ball,” Urlacher recalled. “From the way we prepared for them in practice, they were an all-run team. They were a wing-T team. They actually passed a lot more than we expected.”
Urlacher, who grew up in the mid-west, is stoked to prolong his college career in South Bend.
“Being from there, I do like going back there,” Urlacher said. “The education is really among the best in the country. There aren’t many schools where you get the best of both worlds as far as elite academics and the high caliber competition on the field as well.”
Dia Bell, American Heritage (Fla.) HS
Quarterback
Class of 2026
Bell differentiates himself with a poised, level-headed nature, as well as an unbridled confidence that is rare for a 16-year-old kid.
The insatiable thirst for winning is embedded in the quiet, laser-focus of the Class of 2026 QB.
It has been a steadfast, one day at a time approach for the South Florida-bred Bell, who grew and learned the intricacies of the leadership role from Heritage’s previous QB Blake Murphy (who is headed to Louisana-Monroe).
Like Urlacher, Bell has an advanced feel for the game and the mentality of a workout junkie.
Few components of the teenage experience faze him, or elicit a response from him at all. You would be hard-pressed to find a more business like approach from a rising sophomore.
Bell envisions plays before they unfold, possessing a vast understanding of the playbook and a knack for leading by action.
Operating in a spread offense at American Heritage, the onus is on Bell to seize the gunslinger reins.
This entails locating tight windows between zone coverage, hitting receivers in stride with timeliness. And of course, utilizing his innate purity of vision.
With wiry athleticism, Bell will also utilize blur-like quickness.
Expect the 6-foot-2, 180-pound dual threat to motor into the open field and keep his legs chopping. And while he may not be uproarious or emotional following a massive run or play, he will certainly never be rattled out there.
The maturation process has come rather seamlessly for Bell, a multi-sport athlete who credits a sustained workload with Bozeman Academy football as a factor spurring his evolution.
Athletically and competitively, Bell grew up fast.
It actually created the stabilizing influence Bell now possesses between the ears.
As a smurf-small 14-year-old, he was working with then-NFL prospects Chris Olave (New Orleans Saints) and David Bell (Cleveland Browns) both wide receivers, and a barrage of others during NFL pre-draft camp in Weston, Fla.
Bell played both varsity football and basketball as an eighth grader, scoring multiple touchdowns late during his debut varsity season.
Playing for his father, former Phoenix Suns guard and American Heritage head basketball coach Raja Bell, Bell has been a catch-and-stick threat with a delicate touch from mid range and way beyond the confines of the arc.
Bell has tightened his handle as a point guard, transforming into a game manager who operates offense with his eyes perpetually up. Bell has also taken game-changing scoring matters into his own hands on the hardwood this past season, as he erupted with one 40-point game and sparked crucial runs on a youth-laden team.
Bell is capable of playing both back-court positions, simultaneously employing a versatile defensive approach.
Football appears to be Bell’s innate labor of love, as potential future gridiron destinations are beginning to appear.
Bell holds offers from nearby Florida International University, Western Michigan, Western Carolina and Campbell.
Notre Dame, Florida State, Florida, as well as the University of Utah have been in persistent pursuit of Bell.
Syla Swords, Long Island Lutheran (NY)
Class of 2024 Forward
University of Michigan commit
Swords gives the Wolverines unique positional size and a high skill set as a versatile, efficient 6-foot forward.
Known for her quick release and deep 3-point range, Swords is an opportunistic shot maker.
She has also shown consistency with her mid-range game and forays to the rim.
Defensively versatile, Swords has steadily evolved into a shot-blocker and shot manipulator on a LUHI team teeming with young talent.
The daughter of former Canadian professional and current Long Island Nets G League coach Shawn Swords, Syla Swords chose UM over a handful of Power 5 offers.
Swords shot over 45 percent from 3-point land at LUHI this past season. She brings unique positional size a pivotal presence on the offensive and defensive glass.
She had a handful of monstrous performances this past season, as LUHI entertained a seemingly unparalleled strength of schedule featuring nationally prominent programs.
During a resounding 63-50 victory over then-No.4 La Jolla Country Day (CA) and All-American guard Jada Williams, Swords turned in a stat line of eight points, eight rebounds, six assists, and a game-best four steals.
The performance is indicative of her all around, two-way presence and knack for impacting the game in every statistical category.
A Top-30 recruit, Swords is now part of a prized recruiting class at Ann Arbor.
The Wolverines recently secured a commitment from a five-star 2024 guard Olivia Olson out of Minnesota.
