Three Notre Dame signees earn major state player of the year honors

In the coming days, Blue & Gold will have an article that runs through all stats and accolades for Notre Dame’s signees, but three soon-to-be Irish football players winning major state player of the year honors deserves its own article.

Notre Dame quarterback Blake Hebert, running back Nolan James Jr. and cornerback Mark Zackery were the recipients of the awards. Each of them signed with the Fighting Irish on National Signing Day, which fell on Dec. 4 this year.

Blake Hebert finishes prep career with Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year honors

The Irish signal-caller transferred to Brunswick School in Greenwich, Conn. in January, and he thrived as a senior. In 10 games, he completed 96 of 156 attempts for 1,589 yards with 16 passing touchdowns and 5 interceptions. On the ground, he carried the ball 48 times for 625 yards with 11 scores. Brunswick School finished 8-2 and lost in the NEPSAC Championship.

This output earned him Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year honors.

“Hebert is unbelievable,” said Chris Setian, head coach at Suffield Academy, a team Brunswick School beat 35-7 in October. “He’s a dual-threat quarterback. You have to respect his run, he makes every single throw and he’s an outstanding character kid…he was a nightmare to play against defensively.”

The 6-3, 215-pounder is expected to take part in Notre Dame postseason practices if the Irish advance past Indiana.

Scout’s take on Hebert, via On3’s Charles Power: “Hebert is a physically developed quarterback with a good combination of arm strength and athleticism,” Power said. “He has some twitch to his game. He’s shown the ability to push the ball downfield and has a live arm — both in the camp setting and on Friday nights.

“He transferred to Brunswick School for his senior year after missing a good chunk — if not the vast majority — of his junior season. So, we went almost a calendar year without seeing him on the field. What we’ve seen of his senior season is a first look at him in a while. Based on how he’s playing as a senior, the arm talent is still apparent. He’s also shown very good athleticism and rushing ability, running for seven touchdowns.

“He’ll bring that rushing element that we’ve seen Notre Dame employ with Riley Leonard. He has the ability to bring that to Notre Dame in terms of quarterback-designed runs. He’s averaging 10 yards per carry; Hebert can provide that.

“With his passing, he shows the ability to make tough throws over the middle of the field. There’s surely some things he’ll need to smooth out as a passer. He has a tendency to just try to throw a fastball often — adding some touch nuance and polish as a passer will help him.”

Nolan James Jr. named player of the year in The Garden State

The Irish flipped the talented running back from Boston College a few weeks before signing day, and Notre Dame adds one of the most productive tailbacks you’ll see at the prep level. Wayne (N.J.) DePaul Catholic finished the year 11-1 and won the New Jersey Non-Public B Group state championship in large part due to James’ rushing ability.

James earned 2024 MaxPreps New Jersey High School Football Player of the Year honors.

He recorded 243 carries for 1,921 yards with 19 touchdowns, plus 27 receptions for 340 receiving yards and 3 more scores during his senior campaign.

His career stats are unreal. James recorded 582 carries for 4,118 yards with 38 touchdowns, while adding 96 receptions for 1,120 yards and 10 scores through the air.

The last Irish player to earn this honor was running back Audric Estime back in 2020.

Power’s take: “He’s well built from a size perspective. I could see him adding a little weight at Notre Dame, but he doesn’t need to add a ton. He’s got the type of weight distribution and body you want at running back … But from a physical trait and skill set perspective, he may remind Notre Dame fans of Kyren Williams. He’s bigger than Kyren at the same stage, but they have a similar run style. James is probably quicker than fast but has really good vision and instincts. If he’s anywhere close to Kyren Williams, then this is a big get for Notre Dame.”

Mark Zackery named Hooiser State Player of the Year by MaxPreps

Indianapolis Ben Davis didn’t have the season it hoped for, finishing 5-6 and losing in the sectional championship of the Class 6A IHSAA State Tournament.

Zackery, though, capped off a strong prep career as a senior on all aspects of the game. Defensively, he posted 62 tackles (4 for loss), 1 sack, 8 interceptions, 4 pass breakups, 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble and 1 quarterback hurry. At receiver, he caught 58 passes for 1,036 yards with 12 touchdowns.

And on special teams, he blocked a couple punts and had 8 kick returns for 187 yards.

The last Irish player to earn his Hoosier State honor was linebacker Drayk Bowen in 2022.

Power’s take: “Zackery is simply put a baller, and that’s on Friday nights on the football field or on the basketball court. He’s highly competitive and productive in every opportunity and high school athletic setting.

“He’s a fantastic two-way player and helped his team to a state title as a junior. He gets it done on both sides of the ball. Defensively, he tends to be around the ball a good bit. He had four interceptions last season and forced several more turnovers with forced fumbles and recovering fumbles. He’s a playmaker on defense and is a very productive receiver.”