Upshot for the Rest of the Class (2015 Edition)

[IrishLax]

Might be premature for this with many coaching changes still likely to happen. There are currently many open jobs in the NFL, and many of these jobs could go to college coaches.

For those that missed the earlier editions, this thread is intended to serve as a 'one stop shop' of sorts for recruiting info on the remaining targets on ND's board. It saves people time in scrounging through pages of recruiting threads for answers to the same questions like "how many spots do we have left?" or "when is so-and-so deciding?" Please feel free to add on and offer corrections/insight/opinions below. I will keep it updated weekly or as new major recruiting developments happen.
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Notre Dame has probably 0-4 spots remaining right now depending on 5th years, medicals, transfers, early entrants, Frozen Five members who could return, and who wants to hop on board. The numbers are very fluid, and this is by far the deepest class of 5th years Notre Dame has ever had under Kelly. The math doesn't really matter right now. In short, Notre Dame is aiming to add 3 players on NSD... a RB, a safety, and ESB who they view as a "best available" type.Refer to this great thread for a detailed breakdown of the current roster situation. All needs have been addressed except for safety and RB.

Guys We Currently Lead For
Equanimeous St. Brown - ESB has publicly stated that Notre Dame leads for his services, and Notre Dame coaches are confident that he will announce for Notre Dame on NSD. The other hats on the table will likely be Utah and Stanford, possibly UCLA and USC just for kicks. It will shock everyone if Notre Dame is not the pick. Announcing around 3:15 PM EST on ESPNU/WatchESPN.

Dexter Williams - Williams, like ESB, indicated to coaches that he will be Irish but wanted to announce on NSD. Since then, Miami has made a very hard run at Williams after losing their abundance of committed RBs, because no one wants to go to that dumpster fire right now. It's possible Williams gets cold feet and he has allegedly been giving positive vibes to Miami, but everyone at ND still expects him to sign with the Irish tomorrow. This is the announcement that should have the most drama. Miami is the main competition, with Louisville and possibly Florida likely being the other hats on the table if he has them. Announcing at 11:00 AM EST on Bright House Sports Network.

Guys We Are Squarely in the Race For (does not mean in the slightest that we will or are expected to win the race... but means we have a legitimate shot to land these guys depending on how the next few weeks play out)
None. There are no guys that we're in a toss-up for.

Guys We Have a Shot At (i.e. could hypothetically become part of this class but it would take a significant change of the status quo)
Gary Jennings - Notre Dame is on the outside looking in with Jennings because he wants to play on offense. It's most likely that he picks UVA tomorrow, and would be shocking if he ended up at Notre Dame.

Arrington Farrar - Did not have an "engaged" visit to ND and is likely to pick the Badgers. Wisconsin retained their DC, so he has by far the most longstanding relationship with that coach. Notre Dame is in his top 2 with Wisconsin but it'd be surprising if he picked the Irish.

Justin Reid - Notre Dame will be a hat on the table with Stanford and LSU. Stanford is the projected favorite to win out, and Brian Kelly didn't even get through the door to make an in-home visit so it'll be truly shocking if he were to pick ND.

Nathan Meadors - The California safety target visited UCLA over the weekend and seems locked in to be a Bruin with Notre Dame finishing second. Notre Dame is going to try very hard for Meadors who is the top safety target left on the board, but it seems unlikely that the Irish can ultimately overcome the distance factor for the Los Angeles native.

 

[NDdomer2]

I was just thinking today what happens if we miss on ESB, Jones, JC. Slow playing Jennings bites us in the ass.

We have to take another safety/db right?

 

[wizards8507]

With that slate of potential fifth years, there's really no risk of entering next year with less than 85, correct?

EDIT: Is there a time limit on offering a fifth year? Can we wait until after NSD?

 

[Rack Em]

With that slate of potential fifth years, there's really no risk of entering next year with less than 85, correct?

EDIT: Is there a time limit on offering a fifth year? Can we wait until after NSD?

Yes. You have until August to get to 85. But ND won't wait that long because the players need to apply and be accepted into a grad program to come back for a 5th.

 

[IrishLax]

With that slate of potential fifth years, there's really no risk of entering next year with less than 85, correct?

EDIT: Is there a time limit on offering a fifth year? Can we wait until after NSD?

This is a really good question, and there was a scenario a couple years ago where I think we basically told some guys "we'll have you back if we can" and then did in fact bring them back after NSD.

You're correct with the crop of 5th years there's effectively no risk to not reaching 85... only risk comes from decommits at specific positions of need like safety.

But we've got 9 open spots if you consider Baratti taking a medical, no Frozen Five players, and Montgomery VanGorder not counting.

Those 9 could be:
-Schmidt
-Ishaq Williams
-KVR
-Golson
-Martin
-Farley
-Grace
-Carlisle
-Hegarty

And then you also have:
-Daniels
-Hanratty
-Councell
and some other guys who aren't total scrubs that are eligible. Very deep 5th year class.

Sooo... pretty safe spot to be at 85 into spring even if we sign no additional players in this class.

 

[NDWorld247]

This is a really good question, and there was a scenario a couple years ago where I think we basically told some guys "we'll have you back if we can" and then did in fact bring them back after NSD.

You're correct with the crop of 5th years there's effectively no risk to not reaching 85... only risk comes from decommits at specific positions of need like safety.

But we've got 9 open spots if you consider Baratti taking a medical, no Frozen Five players, and Montgomery VanGorder not counting.

Those 9 could be:
-Schmidt
-Ishaq Williams
-KVR
-Golson
-Martin
-Farley
-Grace
-Carlisle
-Hegarty

And then you also have:
-Daniels
-Hanratty
-Councell
and some other guys who aren't total scrubs that are eligible. Very deep 5th year class.

Sooo... pretty safe spot to be at 85 into spring even if we sign no additional players in this class.

You think MVG's scholarship is just a one-year deal?

I wish there was a way for BK to invite all of the 5Y to spring practice and have them compete for available roster spots. We get burned when medical and transfers happen after NSD, so this would be a way to ensure we'll be at 85 heading into the summer. That's essentially what over-signing does, but the kids we "cut" would walk away with a degree in hand and opportunity to choose a better situation for their 5th season.

I want as many 5Y back as possible in 2015 and I'm fascinated to see how the staff handles the numbers (recruits + 5Y) leading up to and after NSD.

 

[irishff1014]

I would like to see Jones,Brown, Cronkite,Reid

 

[Irish YJ]

Thank you Lax!! Good stuff.

Anyone have any solid info, or educated gut feels about potential transfers (other than EG speculation)? within or outside of the 5th year group?

 

[dwshade]

RB Dexter Williams will visit Jan. 16th. Formally announced his de-commitment from Miami after speaking with Tony Alford. Like him a lot better than Cronkite. Also Cronkite doesn't have the green light from admissions yet. As to Jennings ND is not slow playing him. He's not ready to make a decision and wants to take all his visits. He's also not sure if he wants to play WR, which is what most schools are recruiting him for, or if he wants to play safety.

 

[NDdomer2]

Thanks for the update dwshade. I'm still wondering do we take a rb and db that's currently not on the "board" so to speak, if we miss on remaining options.

 

[dwshade]

Have heard we may be looking at another OL possibly since Tillery will start out on the DL.

 

[IrishLax]

You think MVG's scholarship is just a one-year deal?

I wish there was a way for BK to invite all of the 5Y to spring practice and have them compete for available roster spots. We get burned when medical and transfers happen after NSD, so this would be a way to ensure we'll be at 85 heading into the summer. That's essentially what over-signing does, but the kids we "cut" would walk away with a degree in hand and opportunity to choose a better situation for their 5th season.

I want as many 5Y back as possible in 2015 and I'm fascinated to see how the staff handles the numbers (recruits + 5Y) leading up to and after NSD.

Nah, but I think it's the kind of thing where they gave it to him because they could, but if it's needed for another player they'll reallocate it.

 

[ThePiombino]

Have heard we may be looking at another OL possibly since Tillery will start out on the DL.

Not sure I understand this move.

 

[IrishLax]

Not sure I understand this move.

I don't think it's accurate that we're looking at another OL. But maybe I'm slow on the news.

 

[ThePiombino]

I don't think it's accurate that we're looking at another OL. But maybe I'm slow on the news.

OK, as long as I'm not the only one missing something here lol

 

[GoldenToTheGrave]

RB Dexter Williams will visit Jan. 16th. Formally announced his de-commitment from Miami after speaking with Tony Alford. Like him a lot better than Cronkite. Also Cronkite doesn't have the green light from admissions yet. As to Jennings ND is not slow playing him. He's not ready to make a decision and wants to take all his visits. He's also not sure if he wants to play WR, which is what most schools are recruiting him for, or if he wants to play safety.

Just saw Williams' film and me likey. Runs a lot like Will Filler in open space, by that I mean he does great cuts and has effortless acceleration. Looks like a perfect fit for a spread offense.

 

[dwshade]

We are doubling back and checking on an OL prospect who is uncommitted at this time. Don't know if anything comes of it. Tillery will definitely start out on DL.

 

[Ironman8]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Notre Dame could be getting visits from 2 4* RBs Keshawn Vaughn 5'9"200 of Nashville Pearl-Cohn -Karan Higdon 5'9" 190-sarasota Riverview.</p>— Tom Lemming (@LemmingReport) <a href="https://twitter.com/LemmingReport/status/551387133458403328">January 3, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[IrishLax]

We are doubling back and checking on an OL prospect who is uncommitted at this time. Don't know if anything comes of it. Tillery will definitely start out on DL.

I checked on this again after you posted and I don't expect us to add any additional OL. Maybe that'll change but there isn't anyone right now that we're targeting.

 

[IrishLax]

Ross announcing in 3rd quarter at which point we can cross him off the list.

 

[ResLife Hero]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Notre Dame could be getting visits from 2 4* RBs Keshawn Vaughn 5'9"200 of Nashville Pearl-Cohn -Karan Higdon 5'9" 190-sarasota Riverview.</p>— Tom Lemming (@LemmingReport) <a href="https://twitter.com/LemmingReport/status/551387133458403328">January 3, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Karan Higdon Says Rumors of Notre Dame Visit Are Not True

VOTH reached out to Higdon, and he denied that report. "That is not true, I have no idea how that got started I haven't spoken to Notre Dame in months," he said.

"I am 100 percent Hawkeye nation".

Could just be covering, but he's already refuted the report that he's visiting.

 

[Big23Head]

I checked on this again after you posted and I don't expect us to add any additional OL. Maybe that'll change but there isn't anyone right now that we're targeting.

It's per Sampson. No follow up as of now.

 

[IrishLax]

It's per Sampson. No follow up as of now.

Maybe we're looking at a contingency in case we have an open spot or Stanley leaves, but right now there is not a realistic target being pursued. And they don't expect to add one given the current status quo.

 

[Big23Head]

Maybe we're looking at a contingency in case we have an open spot or Stanley leaves, but right now there is not a realistic target being pursued. And they don't expect to add one given the current status quo.

Mentioned a possible injury to a sophomore OL as one reason as well. Just feelers right now but could develop is my understanding.

 

[IrishLax]

Mentioned a possible injury to a sophomore OL as one reason as well. Just feelers right now but could develop is my understanding.

I think it's just Sampson jumping the gun again. He jumped the gun with Bryant/Folston thing before the bowl at a time when no other sites felt comfortable reporting anything... and nothing happened. He said Sheldon Day was confirmed returning... and then after the game Sheldon Day said quite clearly that a decision had not been made yet. He's reporting pursuit of another OL... and I think it's premature again.

I've got a good grasp of the potential OL we're talking about and I'm telling you that with the current status quo it's not happening.

 

[ThePiombino]

I think it's just Sampson jumping the gun again. He jumped the gun with Bryant/Folston thing before the bowl at a time when no other sites felt comfortable reporting anything... and nothing happened. He said Sheldon Day was confirmed returning... and then after the game Sheldon Day said quite clearly that a decision had not been made yet. He's reporting pursuit of another OL... and I think it's premature again.

I've got a good grasp of the potential OL we're talking about and I'm telling you that with the current status quo it's not happening.

Can we know who the OL in question is?

 

[BobbyMac]

There is no way the Irish make it through the off season without a scholarship transfer...right? Unfortunately it probably doesn't lead to the addition of high school blue chippers but added 5th years that may have been cut loose had the Irish had more prospects further down the funnel.

 

[woolybug25]

There is no way the Irish make it through the off season without a scholarship transfer...right? Unfortunately it probably doesn't lead to the addition of high school blue chippers but added 5th years that may have been cut loose had the Irish had more prospects further down the funnel.

When you are nowhere near the 85 man limit, that is not a concern either way.

 

[irishff1014]

looking at the 2015 class rankings it is wild that LSU has 3 five stars compared to out 0 and we are only still just a little over a point behind them.

 

[arrowryan]

I was reading the boards over on II and someone posted the ESB was a "lock" and was all Irish; after following recruiting for 4 years now, it's foolish to think anything is a lock or guarantee when it comes to recruiting...

My question is how confident should we be that ESB will be Irish on NSD? Should we be worried about his visits to Stanford and Washington State? It'd be pretty bad if the staff cancelled Cager's visit thinking ESB was going to ND just to find out he's not.