State of the Recruiting Class - 2024

[Luckylucci]

I think it's naive to think we're going to find close to as good of a LB, TE, OT, DE, DT that we've had good shots with. That just hasn't happened with recruiting at ND late in the cycle when we miss out on our main options. Yes, we might land someone late that's as good or better but the odds of that are the same probably as a deflection. The top programs are in it with multiple studs at each position, we're in it with 1

From June 27th, 2022 to June 27th, 2023, we have added the below list of players to the 2023 roster that didn't previously have offers or were literally attending other schools.

Antonio Carter
JBP
Sam Hartman
Thomas Harper
Devyn Ford
Kaleb Smith (Jr.)
Armel Mukam (247 93 rated 4 star, top 200 DL)
Christopher Terek (a Wiscy OL commit they flipped)
Kenny Minchey (247, 93 rated 4 star, top 175 QB)
Ben Minich (247, 92 rated 4 star, top 240 S)

Some of that is filler. Some of that is quality. And, some of it is very good.

If on June 27th, 2022 you posted this exact same thing, look how stupid it would seem.

It's downright laughable to think that as of today, the roster, recruiting class, etc. will be stagnant when signing day closes or they start up Fall Camp 2024.

 

[NDohio]

From June 27th, 2022 to June 27th, 2023, we have added the below list of players to the 2023 roster that didn't previously have offers or were literally attending other schools.

Antonio Carter
JBP
Sam Hartman
Thomas Harper
Devyn Ford
Kaleb Smith (Jr.)
Armel Mukam (247 93 rated 4 star, top 200 DL)
Christopher Terek (a Wiscy OL commit they flipped)
Kenny Minchey (247, 93 rated 4 star, top 175 QB)
Ben Minich (247, 92 rated 4 star, top 240 S)

Some of that is filler. Some of that is quality. And, some of it is very good.

If on June 27th, 2022 you posted this exact same thing, look how stupid it would seem.

It's downright laughable to think that as of today, the roster, recruiting class, etc. will be stagnant when signing day closes or they start up Fall Camp 2024.

The way MF and staff have used the portal has been remarkable. ND may not be bringing in a bunch of portal players - though it is a decent number - the quantity is spectacular. Every position that was in desperation mode was filled. It has caused me to look at recruiting completely differently (and probably better for my mental health LOL). The holes that may not get filled through HS recruiting will most likely get filled trough the portal. There is no reason to get worked up over recruiting anymore. The roster is now fluid.

 

[Reaper97]

I’m going to bring up something that Roberts & Driskell mentioned & ask people their thoughts…

They said that if ND gets Lambert, it’s the best offensive class at ND since the Weis years. And since it met all the needs, might even be better than those.

What is the last offensive class as good as;

QB Carr
RB Young
RB Williams
WR Williams
WR Gilbert
WR Canion
TE Larsen
OT Lambert
OT Prescod
OG Jones
OG Knapp

Just for fun, I’m going to put each recruits highest site ranking next.

21
82
134
33
218
95
139
32
189
91
206

That means all are ranked top 220 by at least one site.
Over half (6) are top 100 by at least one site.

 

[irishff1014]

I’m going to bring up something that Roberts & Driskell mentioned & ask people their thoughts…

They said that if ND gets Lambert, it’s the best offensive class at ND since the Weis years. And since it met all the needs, might even be better than those.

What is the last offensive class as good as;

QB Carr
RB Young
RB Williams
WR Williams
WR Gilbert
WR Canion
TE Larsen
OT Lambert
OT Prescod
OG Jones
OG Knapp

Just for fun, I’m going to put each recruits highest site ranking next.

21
82
134
33
218
95
139
32
189
91
206

That means all are ranked top 220 by at least one site.
Over half (6) are top 100 by at least one site.

Good point. I would be willing to bet Kelly never did that and he was the offensive guy.

 

[Reaper97]

Good point. I would be willing to bet Kelly never did that and he was the offensive guy.

I think by year 3 BK realized that ND was not a “basketball on grass” program like he had elsewhere & he focused on OL & good defense.
Funny enough, going back to his time at Cincy, the only class he recruited in 15 years who didn’t have an undefeated regular season in their career was his highest ranked class, the ND 2013 class. That was a top 5 class that never went undefeated in the regular season.

 

[Reaper97]

Another interesting fact…

Michigan is killing it in recruiting (according to Michigan) and ND is mediocre (according to everyone).

Michigan has 23 commits
Notre Dame has 21 commits

After Lambert commits to ND, with only 22 commits for ND, (UM having 23):

ND 263.45
UM 262.40

 

[fightingirish26]

I think by year 3 BK realized that ND was not a “basketball on grass” program like he had elsewhere & he focused on OL & good defense.
Funny enough, going back to his time at Cincy, the only class he recruited in 15 years who didn’t have an undefeated regular season in their career was his highest ranked class, the ND 2013 class. That was a top 5 class that never went undefeated in the regular season.

That 2013 class is the only offensive class that comes close to this year's on paper.

Zaire was a good prospect but not near Carr. Edge 2024 by a mile.

Bryant/Folston both essentially top 100 overall guys. Edge 2013 by a mile.

Hunter, Fuller, Robinson at WR was decent on paper, hopefully Cam Williams performs like the 5 star Fuller really was. Edge 2024.

Smyth and Heuerman both top 10 composite TEs. Edge 2013.

5 composite top 200 olineman. Edge 2013 by a mile.

Carr and the importance of QB could give an overall edge to 2024 but not a runaway. Again, just on paper.

 

[NDMatt91]

I’m going to bring up something that Roberts & Driskell mentioned & ask people their thoughts…

They said that if ND gets Lambert, it’s the best offensive class at ND since the Weis years. And since it met all the needs, might even be better than those.

What is the last offensive class as good as;

QB Carr
RB Young
RB Williams
WR Williams
WR Gilbert
WR Canion
TE Larsen
OT Lambert
OT Prescod
OG Jones
OG Knapp

Just for fun, I’m going to put each recruits highest site ranking next.

21
82
134
33
218
95
139
32
189
91
206

That means all are ranked top 220 by at least one site.
Over half (6) are top 100 by at least one site.

I went back and looked at the blue chip players on offense in each class that BK signed (per 247):

2011 (5)
2012 (6)
2013 (13)-All in the top 300
2014 (9)
2015 (9)
2016 (5)
2017 (7)
2018 (7)
2019 (5)
2020 (7)
2021 (10)
2022 (10)

 

[Reaper97]

I went back and looked at the blue chip players on offense in each class that BK signed (per 247):

2011 (5)
2012 (6)
2013 (13)-All in the top 300
2014 (9)
2015 (9)
2016 (5)
2017 (7)
2018 (7)
2019 (5)
2020 (7)
2021 (10)
2022 (10)

So that’s 247 composite 4 & 5 Stars?

How many in this class do we think will reach that?

 

[NDMatt91]

So that’s 247 composite 4 & 5 Stars?

How many in this class do we think will reach that?

Yeah, 5* and 4* recruits on the 247 composite. Once Lambert jumps on board this class would be 11/11 for blue chip recruits on offense based on the 247 composite.

 

[Reaper97]

I know it’s a big “if” scenario.

But if ND gets 2 of 3 of Scott, KVA & Beasley, then a class where the defense is considered the weak link would still be a pretty good defensive class.
I don’t think it’s realistic that they get all 3, but 2 is possible.
That’s not a bad defense either.

 

[Reaper97]

Yeah, 5* and 4* recruits on the 247 composite. Once Lambert jumps on board this class would be 11/11 for blue chip recruits on offense based on the 247 composite.

Until Power drops Carr to 1093rd & he is a composite 3 Star.

 

[irishff1014]

I went back and looked at the blue chip players on offense in each class that BK signed (per 247):

2011 (5)
2012 (6)
2013 (13)-All in the top 300
2014 (9)
2015 (9)
2016 (5)
2017 (7)
2018 (7)
2019 (5)
2020 (7)
2021 (10)
2022 (10)

Nice work!

 

[IrishMoore1]

If Freeman starts 5-0, I think the rest of this class will sort itself out and we finish with a very good class.

 

[PutuporShutup]

I dunno. We missed out on Will Shipley but landed Estime and Diggs late in the cycle. For instance.

And we lost out on moore, keeley, moore, Bowen, etc etc and didn’t land anyone close

Estime was the one off great get though late

 

[Terry Jillery]

If Freeman starts 5-0, I think the rest of this class will sort itself out and we finish with a very good class.

That has not really helped Michigan the past two years. Their classes were lousy.

 

[Reaper97]

That has not really helped Michigan the past two years. Their classes were lousy.

That’s because Harbaugh is a spazz.

 

[stlnd01]

I'm not sure we can count on Michigan being bad at recruiting/Harbaugh being a spazz forever.
If they ever really got their act together (and continued to win 10+ games against soft-as-shit schedules) they would be a problem for us on the trail.

 

[Henges24]

What are NDs chances with Rushing?

 

[Crazy Balki]

That has not really helped Michigan the past two years. Their classes were lousy.

That's mainly because Harbaugh had his foot out the door and nobody can trust him when he says he's staying put.

 

[Irish Man3]

What are NDs chances with Rushing?

-10%

 

[IAIrish]

What are NDs chances with Rushing?

Can we go negative or will zero suffice?

 

[Plankton]

What are NDs chances with Rushing?

 

[Crazy Balki]

That 2013 class is the only offensive class that comes close to this year's on paper.

Zaire was a good prospect but not near Carr. Edge 2024 by a mile.

Bryant/Folston both essentially top 100 overall guys. Edge 2013 by a mile.

Hunter, Fuller, Robinson at WR was decent on paper, hopefully Cam Williams performs like the 5 star Fuller really was. Edge 2024.

Smyth and Heuerman both top 10 composite TEs. Edge 2013.

5 composite top 200 olineman. Edge 2013 by a mile.

Carr and the importance of QB could give an overall edge to 2024 but not a runaway. Again, just on paper.

I'd say those are close, but I'd give the RB edge to 2024.

Yeah, Bryant and Folston were both fringe top 100 recruits, but they were also two similar style backs. Both on the smaller side (5'10ish 190-205), both were quick but not burners. Greg (RIP) I always thought was a bit overrated. The talent was absolutely there, but he just never seemed like a natural running back.

Aneyas is more dynamic than Folston and more natural than Bryant, and more versatile than both. IMO, he's severely underrated, but I understand why services are somewhat skeptical because I think he's going to cap out at 5'10 195. But that's fine, so long as he retains his burst and movement. He's a guy who, if he was a bit bigger or just had a touch more in his 2nd gear, he'd be a 5-star.

Then there's Kedron Young. You can't teach 5'11 225. He is built like a tank but is shockingly quick footed and has great burst.

Overall, I give it to '24 because they just compliment each other SO much better than in '13.

 

[fightingirish26]

I'd say those are close, but I'd give the RB edge to 2024.

Yeah, Bryant and Folston were both fringe top 100 recruits, but they were also two similar style backs. Both on the smaller side (5'10ish 190-205), both were quick but not burners. Greg (RIP) I always thought was a bit overrated. The talent was absolutely there, but he just never seemed like a natural running back.

Aneyas is more dynamic than Folston and more natural than Bryant, and more versatile than both. IMO, he's severely underrated, but I understand why services are somewhat skeptical because I think he's going to cap out at 5'10 195. But that's fine, so long as he retains his burst and movement. He's a guy who, if he was a bit bigger or just had a touch more in his 2nd gear, he'd be a 5-star.

Then there's Kedron Young. You can't teach 5'11 225. He is built like a tank but is shockingly quick footed and has great burst.

Overall, I give it to '24 because they just compliment each other SO much better than in '13.

45 bryant
106 folston
209 young
250 williams

Cant rewrite history, if we're talking recruiting classes on paper that's not a discussion

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

If Freeman starts 5-0, I think the rest of this class will sort itself out and we finish with a very good class.

Honestly, if this happens, I think it resonates more with the 2025 class and gets the attention of 2026 more. 5-0 puts us into October. The 2024 guys are going to be pretty close to knowing if they already don't know by then.

Frankly, I'm hesitant to trust a prospect that's jumping into the mix based on ND being 5-0 to begin with. There are 20+ dudes who have committed off of a 9-4 season from a first year HC.

 

[ColinKSU]

What are NDs chances with Rushing?

My chances with Salma Hayek.

 

[stlnd01]

Honestly, if this happens, I think it resonates more with the 2025 class and gets the attention of 2026 more. 5-0 puts us into October. The 2024 guys are going to be pretty close to knowing if they already don't know by then.

Frankly, I'm hesitant to trust a prospect that's jumping into the mix based on ND being 5-0 to begin with. There are 20+ dudes who have committed off of a 9-4 season from a first year HC.

For us, anyway - probably because we tend to target good fits and lock down our classes relatively early - regular season performance seems to have very little impact on recruiting for the class that signs in December. Maybe it matters next cycle.

 

[Crazy Balki]

45 bryant
106 folston
209 young
250 williams

Cant rewrite history, if we're talking recruiting classes on paper that's not a discussion

I mean, this is exactly what we're doing though. Talking recruiting classes on paper.

But film matters. Bryant was rated highly, but film simply didn't translate to his lofty rankings. Williams and Young simply provide you with a better dynamic and that dynamic matters when trying to build a strong and versatile offense.

 

[irishandy]

What are NDs chances with Rushing?

To have the word chance in this question...I am counting that as some sort of win for ND.