High school football: Lakota West DB headed to Notre Dame

A 6-2, 180-pound defensive back, Bennie-Powell is a three-star “athlete” prospect who ranks No. 50 among players in Ohio for the class of 2024 according to the 247Sports Composite.

The Fighting Irish, who signed defensive back Ben Minich of Lakota West last year, extended an offer six days ago, joining a group that included Duke, Kentucky and West Virginia.

He had 36 tackles last season for the Firebirds, who along with Minich had Ohio State-bound Malik Hartford and Northwestern signee Joshua Fussell in their secondary.

Bennie-Powell is the fifth area player to verbally commit to an FBS school in the class of ‘24, joining Centerville safety Reggie Powers III (Michigan State), Trotwood-Madison quarterback Tim Carpenter Jr. (Indiana), Stebbins offensive lineman Jake Wheelock (Cincinnati) and Xenia offensive lineman Gabriel Funk (Appalachian State).

Many more hold Division I offers, including fellow Firebirds Elijah Davis and Jacob Asbeck.

Notre Dame is in its second season under head coach Marcus Freeman, a Wayne High School graduate who has made a big push recruiting his home state but not scored many victories yet.

He also has a commitment from three-star defensive back Karson Hobbs of Cincinnati Moeller for the class of ‘24 and signed defensive lineman Brenan Vernon of Mentor along with Minich last year.