VIDEO: Notre Dame commitment John Dirksen in action

Notre Dame commitment John Dirksen helped lead Marion Local to the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division VI state championship last weekend.

Dirksen, who is listed at 6-foot-5, 290-pounds, played both ways for the Flyers in their 34-11 win over Kirtland at Tom Benson Stadium in Canton, Ohio on Dec. 2, but he's being recruited by the Irish as an offensive tackle.

After seeing him in action, Dirksen could be better suited to play guard as he doesn't fit the mold of an outside lineman preferred by Irish head coach Brian Kelly and offensive line coach Harry Hiestand. He's a bit shorter and stockier than a Mike McGlinchey and some of the others to suit up at the position.

Marion Local did line him up at both right guard and right tackle at different points in the game. When he slid into the guard position he typically pulled to lead the way to either the left or right end.

Dirksen had an obvious physical advantage over the Kirtland defensive linemen and linebackers he contacted.

Division VI is the second smallest of Ohio's seven classifications. There aren't many John Dirksen's at that level. 

The largest of Kirtland's defensive linemen measured in at 5-foot-9, 240 pounds and a defensive end who faced off with Dirksen on a regular basis is listed at 5-foot-8, 180 pounds.

With that advantage in mind, Dirksen didn't dominate the way he should have and even ended up on his back a few times during the game.

He had his moments but he tends to play a bit off balance, which caused some of his issues.

There were several plays where he did exactly as he should. He overpowered a weaker opponent and drove him out of the play.

He needs to do that on a consistent basis, especially when the opponent is carrying an extra hundred pounds.

Athletically, Dirksen demonstrated his ability to pull from the inside with enough quickness to be in the proper position to provide the lead blocks when necessary. That could work in his favor as he works himself into a position in South Bend.

ESPN ranks Dirksen as a three-star prospect with a rating of 78. That's a fair rating considering the quality of competition Dirksen faces.

It means he has the potential to compete at the next level. He isn't a project, by any means, but it also isn't likely to see him emerge as a freshman or sophomore. He'll need some time in the weight room--like all high school linemen making the jump to college--and he'll also have to focus on improving his technique, especially related to his stance to maintain balance throughout his blocks.