'25 NV WR Derek Meadows (Alabama Verbal)

[irishff1014]

L Again, look at the past 5 years of #6 WR in the composite. There is not a single game changer among them. Let alone someone there that would change how someone should view ND's recruiting efforts. There is no point to label players outside of the top 3/5 of their position as "game changing".

2023 - Jalen Hale
2022 - Kevin Coleman
2021 - Jojo Earle
2020 - Jordan Johnson
2019 - Kyle Ford

NOTE - I didn't realize that Meadows was the #9 WR in the composite until after looking up the #6 WR's. Meadows is the #6 by 247, not the composite. My point is further made if you look at the #9 WR's.

I understand your point. I just think we are going to agree to disagree. I am ok with that.

 

[NumbersGuy0520]

Again, look at the past 5 years of #6 WR in the composite. There is not a single game changer among them. Let alone someone there that would change how someone should view ND's recruiting efforts. There is no point to label players outside of the top 3/5 of their position as "game changing".

2023 - Jalen Hale
2022 - Kevin Coleman
2021 - Jojo Earle
2020 - Jordan Johnson
2019 - Kyle Ford

NOTE - I didn't realize that Meadows was the #9 WR in the composite until after looking up the #6 WR's. Meadows is the #6 by 247, not the composite. My point is further made if you look at the #9 WR's.

Are we really trying to make an informed decision off the incredibly small sample size of WRs ranked exactly #6 in composite over the last 5 years?

Look at the top 15 or top 20. In 2018, #6 was sandwiched between Jaylen Waddle and Justyn Ross at #5 and #7

Yes, there are no guarantees, but please give me the WR ranked #6 in composite.

I’ve also had a few Memorial Day brews so I’m not exactly sure what we’re all arguing about, but honestly, half the time that’s true when I come to this forum sober 😂

 

[INLaw]

Are we really trying to make an informed decision off the incredibly small sample size of WRs ranked exactly #6 in composite over the last 5 years?

Look at the top 15 or top 20. In 2018, #6 was sandwiched between Jaylen Waddle and Justyn Ross at #5 and #7

Yes, there are no guarantees, but please give me the WR ranked #6 in composite.

I’ve also had a few Memorial Day brews so I’m not exactly sure what we’re all arguing about, but honestly, half the time that’s true when I come to this forum sober 😂

Da fuq? Toronto rubs me wrong but i get his point lol

 

[NumbersGuy0520]

Da fuq? Toronto rubs me wrong but i get his point lol

I guess the point (his point, but the entire discussion really) is what I’m trying to understand lol.

I think #6 composite overall WRs aren’t necessarily gamechangers. I mean same can be true of any rank, any highly rated player.

But I do also think, in general, a high composite ranking gives a clear signal on likelihood of being a game changer, and a #6 composite ranking is pretty damn good.

 

[TorontoGold]

Are we really trying to make an informed decision off the incredibly small sample size of WRs ranked exactly #6 in composite over the last 5 years?

Look at the top 15 or top 20. In 2018, #6 was sandwiched between Jaylen Waddle and Justyn Ross at #5 and #7

Yes, there are no guarantees, but please give me the WR ranked #6 in composite.

I’ve also had a few Memorial Day brews so I’m not exactly sure what we’re all arguing about, but honestly, half the time that’s true when I come to this forum sober 😂

No, we're trying to walk some people back from the ledge of saying that this is some sort of ominous bad sign about recruiting efforts.

I would love to have Meadows and the #6 WR every year. But, to say this is some sort of bad sign for recruiting if he doesn't sign with ND is insane.

Forrest and the trees and all that.

Da fuq? Toronto rubs me wrong but i get his point lol

 

[Rocketman84]

What does this mean lmao, nice recent string of elite top 100 CB commits, especially one from Florida. The 5 star WR from CA not committing to ND is a bad sign though.

Which WR from CALI?

 

[Rocketman84]

What does this mean lmao, nice recent string of elite top 100 CB commits, especially one from Florida. The 5 star WR from CA not committing to ND is a bad sign though.

Which WR from CALI?

It’s kinda comical how poorly this group has turned out. Ford’s 2022 stats of 360 yards and 2TDs as a Heisman winner’s fifth option are the single season best of the bunch thus far. The jury is probably still out on the last two guys but yikes that list hasn’t been great

Hale would've been terrific for Bama this year, hope rehab goes well for him.

 

[PutuporShutup]

I’ll keep it classy and ask what % you think Freeman’s raised recruiting over BK?

Obviously my earlier comment on huge was a joke

I’d say freeman recruiting is consistently at the level to have enough talent to make playoffs, Kelly was in the next wave right behind that.

Right now dline recruiting will hold us back in 25 and on unless we crush portal, this 25 wr class is shocking though

I think freeman and staff are relentless on recruiting trail and I appreciate that. I also think what is holding them back from top level recruiting is the product on the field. Going 9-3 last year with that talent and schedule was very disappointing. This year, he has to make playoffs, and really 11-1 should be the bar.

 

[stlnd01]

Obviously my earlier comment on huge was a joke

I’d say freeman recruiting is consistently at the level to have enough talent to make playoffs, Kelly was in the next wave right behind that.

Right now dline recruiting will hold us back in 25 and on unless we crush portal, this 25 wr class is shocking though

I think freeman and staff are relentless on recruiting trail and I appreciate that. I also think what is holding them back from top level recruiting is the product on the field. Going 9-3 last year with that talent and schedule was very disappointing. This year, he has to make playoffs, and really 11-1 should be the bar.

Just observing - as I am by no means a "portal will save us" guy - but how many of the WRs on this team that you expect to go 11-1 were recruited out of high school to play wide receiver at Notre Dame?
I see Thomas (the #51 WR in his class), Greathouse (#23) and maybe either Deion Colzie who was highly-rated (#16) has barely made a dent in three years, or a true freshman in Gilbert who was #47 WR this year. Beyond that it's two transfers and a lacrosse player.
I don't love our WR recruiting this cycle either, but there are so many ways to build a roster now. I'm not going to worry too much about the WR room three years from now.

 

[Blazers46]

Just observing - as I am by no means a "portal will save us" guy - but how many of the WRs on this team that you expect to go 11-1 were recruited out of high school to play wide receiver at Notre Dame?
I see Thomas (the #51 WR in his class), Greathouse (#23) and maybe either Deion Colzie who was highly-rated (#16) has barely made a dent in three years, or a true freshman in Gilbert who was #47 WR this year. Beyond that it's two transfers and a lacrosse player.
I don't love our WR recruiting this cycle either, but there are so many ways to build a roster now. I'm not going to worry too much about the WR room three years from now.

But losing a top 10 WR isn't a big deal so relax.

I’m looking at Notre Dame‘s wide receiver rankings from the last 10 years and I cannot find one (247). Is the last top 10 wide receiver Notre Dame has ever got Michael Floyd?

I was reading an article/opinion piece the other day about Notre Dames top 10 WRs since 2000 and Theo Riddick made the list. He was great but wasn’t even a WR. Fuller was about 10 years ago. Tate and before that, Shark was about 20 years ago… yikes I’m old!! Looking at a guy like ESt Brown and knowing he was one of the best in the last 25 years just reminds me we couldn’t even pull his brother Amon Ra.

I agree the sky isn’t falling if we don’t land on some WRs but it’s been awhile guys. Sign as many top 10 guys as you can.

 

[Rocketman84]

But losing a top 10 WR isn't a big deal so relax.

I’m looking at Notre Dame‘s wide receiver rankings from the last 10 years and I cannot find one (247). Is the last top 10 wide receiver Notre Dame has ever got Michael Floyd?

I was reading an article/opinion piece the other day about Notre Dames top 10 WRs since 2000 and Theo Riddick made the list. He was great but wasn’t even a WR. Fuller was about 10 years ago. Tate and before that, Shark was about 20 years ago… yikes I’m old!! Looking at a guy like ESt Brown and knowing he was one of the best in the last 25 years just reminds me we couldn’t even pull his brother Amon Ra.

I agree the sky isn’t falling if we don’t land on some WRs but it’s been awhile guys. Sign as many top 10 guys as you can.

Jordan Johnson and maybe McKinley

 

[Irish du Nord]

Jordan Johnson and maybe McKinley

McKinley was just outside the top 100. As were Styles and Colzie. Kevin Austin was 82th overall in the composite. Merriweather was 80 in the composite.

Davonte Neal was 57th and ahead of the #7 receiver, just listed as an ATH instead.

Justin Brent was a top100 composite guy who was a top 10 WR on 247. Davaris Daniels was another top 100 guy.

 

[Sea Turtle]

Both sides make good points. Overall, recruiting is much better while WR and DL recruiting could be a tick better.

 

[arrowryan]

Receiver recruiting can be better? WR recruiting was terrible for the last handful of years under BK.

 

[Blazers46]

When I get time I think I’ll do some digging on where we rank at just WR through the years. It’s probably really bad.

 

[NDFAN2008]

WR recruiting has been night and day better the last 2-3 years. You can't really blame coaches for guys like Flores leaving or Braylon James. Flores was a situation where he wanted to back on the West Coast hince him going to UCLA. James didn't want to stick around and compete. We have gotten more and more Freshman guys coming in ready to play right way. Gilbert and Williams both are going to be good too.

 

[allenm5333]

We are getting better guys the last few years. If this was a class of just Terry and Burress with the other names on the board, I think we would feel better. But Bettis added gives us anxiety. The best thing that can help WR recruiting is if Greathouse, Cam Williams, KK, Gilbert, or etc. step up on the field.

 

[PutuporShutup]

Just observing - as I am by no means a "portal will save us" guy - but how many of the WRs on this team that you expect to go 11-1 were recruited out of high school to play wide receiver at Notre Dame?
I see Thomas (the #51 WR in his class), Greathouse (#23) and maybe either Deion Colzie who was highly-rated (#16) has barely made a dent in three years, or a true freshman in Gilbert who was #47 WR this year. Beyond that it's two transfers and a lacrosse player.
I don't love our WR recruiting this cycle either, but there are so many ways to build a roster now. I'm not going to worry too much about the WR room three years from now.

A lot of the big boys all wanted Thomas, Greathouse, Colzie, Tobias, and even Rico. Freeman and company new the WR situation going into 2023 and really did nothing about it portal wise, they learned. WR is a position that's good to hit portal. WR was our only weakness last year (maybe center as well) and we had an easier schedule.

 

[PutuporShutup]

WR recruiting has been night and day better the last 2-3 years. You can't really blame coaches for guys like Flores leaving or Braylon James. Flores was a situation where he wanted to back on the West Coast hince him going to UCLA. James didn't want to stick around and compete. We have gotten more and more Freshman guys coming in ready to play right way. Gilbert and Williams both are going to be good too.

I'm good with both leaving, they were both over rated for different reasons, that will show this year. James couldn't catch, and rico couldn't get separation. We got 3 transfers, and each are better than either of them.

 

[LifelongFan]

Being nervous because the last few #6 ranked WRs have been disappointing is crazy. You're assigning value to an essentially randomized number. Joe Receiver for Oregon has no bearing on Meadows. You'll get better analysis by reading his horoscope.

 

[TorontoGold]

Being nervous because the last few #6 ranked WRs have been disappointing is crazy. You're assigning value to an essentially randomized number. Joe Receiver for Oregon has no bearing on Meadows. You'll get better analysis by reading his horoscope.

The only nervous people are the ones who believe the #6 or #9 WR is a game changer, and if they lose out it's a "bad sign" for recruiting. That's it.

He could be a game changer, but past history shows us that it's not a program altering loss if ND misses out.

Everyone wants Meadows and he is a freak athlete. MF deserves some slack for his recruiting efforts. Mike Brown got involved in this class late. If Brown doesn't improve results in 2026, then yes it's a bad sign for his future in recruiting. This is really not that difficult.

 

[Poopsie]

wow!!! This sounds like the last MENSA convention...lmfao!

 

[General Colon Bowel]

When I get time I think I’ll do some digging on where we rank at just WR through the years. It’s probably really bad.

No need to! This site scrapes the data from 247 for historical recruiting rankings. I believe it uses 247's ranks, not the composite though. Here's positional rankings from 2010-2024: CollegeFootballData.com

ND has actually recruited surprisingly well at the receiver position....

 

[ab2cmiller]

Surprising that the top ranking has less than a 4 star average.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

Surprising that the top ranking has less than a 4 star average.

Hartline only joined in 2017 as a grad assistant lol

 

[Sea Turtle]

There are good people on both sides of this issue.

 

[BobbyMac]

No need to! This site scrapes the data from 247 for historical recruiting rankings. I believe it uses 247's ranks, not the composite though. Here's positional rankings from 2010-2024: CollegeFootballData.com

ND has actually recruited surprisingly well at the receiver position....
View attachment 3055754

Now we got feckin facts and stats???

I’m out.

 

[Rocketman84]

McKinley was just outside the top 100. As were Styles and Colzie. Kevin Austin was 82th overall in the composite. Merriweather was 80 in the composite.

Davonte Neal was 57th and ahead of the #7 receiver, just listed as an ATH instead.

Justin Brent was a top100 composite guy who was a top 10 WR on 247. Davaris Daniels was another top 100 guy.

Brent was oddly #95 Composite but #14WR

 

[NDPhilly]

No need to! This site scrapes the data from 247 for historical recruiting rankings. I believe it uses 247's ranks, not the composite though. Here's positional rankings from 2010-2024: CollegeFootballData.com

ND has actually recruited surprisingly well at the receiver position....
View attachment 3055754

Legitimately shocking lmao. Not only are we significantly ahead of our Midwest “peers” of Michigan and PSU, but also our above UGA, UF, Miami, etc who sit in the most talent rich areas for skill positions in the country.

Our bust rate must be insane.

 

[NumbersGuy0520]

Legitimately shocking lmao. Not only are we significantly ahead of our Midwest “peers” of Michigan and PSU, but also our above UGA, UF, Miami, etc who sit in the most talent rich areas for skill positions in the country.

Our bust rate must be insane.

Pretty positive TEs are being looped into these “Receiver” rankings. It makes sense that we’re all dumbfounded at the results.

When I check in 2017, I see four “receiver” recruits for an average rating of .917

Our four commits that year were TE Brock Wright (.9669), TE Cole Kmet (.9609), WR Michael Young (.8706), WR Jafar Armstrong (.8709). True WR avg was more like .87

Being TEU will drag this metric up for us. We’re definitely not 7th in WR recruiting.