2026 Master Thread

[lcaps20]

Do we know where the staff saw Simote? A DT or SDE? I honestly don't remember.

If 2008 is mentioning him, I think we know the answer to this question.

 

[NDFAN2008]

Do we know where the staff saw Simote? A DT or SDE? I honestly don't remember.

That I don't know but can't ever have enough DL guys

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

Once CJ shows out and we beat down some teams you can expect some late additions.

 

[NDPhilly]

The 247 score calc is interesting bc it doesn’t just do average recruit score x number of recruits, they add another sliding scale that is heavily weighted to top 50 recruits. Essentially a 96 grade and a 88 grade (92 avg score) will have a higher composite total than just two 92 overalls.

Since we only have one composite top 100 commit, we’re going to struggle to climb to a top 5 class (despite a high avg rank) unless we hit on O’Brien, Ogboko, Talanoa, and maybe others.

Not sure I agree, but doesn’t take away from how deep this class is.

 

[irishnd31]

That I don't know but can't ever have enough DL guys

 

[allenm5333]

Once the class is wrapped up I think there's a good chance the staff can flip some high profile guys. If I was ND I'd stay on Simote from USC

Especially because he was a silent to us. Keep recruiting him unless we get 2 of the 3: Quinn, the other NC DE, and Blade

 

[PolishDomer]

That I don't know but can't ever have enough DL guys

 

[ColinKSU]

FWIW - we’re already at 251 and 92.2 on 247, even at 16 commits. Awesome start.

I remember being *deeply* stressed that ND was going to lose Anthony Vernaglia and finish its 2004 class with only one four-star prospect (and that was Junior Jabbie.)

 

[SeekNDestroy]

I remember being *deeply* stressed that ND was going to lose Anthony Vernaglia and finish its 2004 class with only one four-star prospect (and that was Junior Jabbie.)

It’s amazing how little work Willingham put into recruiting. Canning his ass should’ve been the easiest decision Kevin White ever made.

 

[Rocketman84]

ND's prospect board after the most recent rankings update on the 247 composite (not counting Walton)

Ian Premer 45
Joey O'Brien 65
Ekene Ogboko 68
Khary Adams 73
Tanaloa Ili 75
Brian Bonner 105
Kaydon Finley 111
Elijah Golden 184
McHale Blade 194
Matt Ludwig 219
Zavion Griffin Haynes 220
Dre Quinn 262
Grayson McKeough 263
Evan Jacobsen 275
Noah Clark 285

If they just bat around 40% with these guys it's going to be a damn good class.

9 of those guys plus Robinson and a couple others

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

It’s amazing how little work Willingham put into recruiting. Canning his ass should’ve been the easiest decision Kevin White ever made.

I remember yelling at the TV when Wilbon from "Around the Horn" made it a racial thing that ND was firing Willingham after 3 years, the only coach to be let go that early. I was screaming, "He doesn't recruit!!! Look at it his f$%*ing classes!!!"

I felt like I was taking crazy pills and then realized all talking heads sensationalize anything to get attention/clicks. I was still relatively young back then.

 

[Rocketman84]

The 247 score calc is interesting bc it doesn’t just do average recruit score x number of recruits, they add another sliding scale that is heavily weighted to top 50 recruits. Essentially a 96 grade and a 88 grade (92 avg score) will have a higher composite total than just two 92 overalls.

Since we only have one composite top 100 commit, we’re going to struggle to climb to a top 5 class (despite a high avg rank) unless we hit on O’Brien, Ogboko, Talanoa, and maybe others.

Not sure I agree, but doesn’t take away from how deep this class is.

This class should at least be in the mid 280s

 

[dublinirish]

 

[Cpnd1]

WR/RB offer

 

[arrowryan]

WR/RB offer

FSU commit. 247 has Notre Dame interest as “cool”, while all other schools interest is “none”. That part probably means nothing though.

This staff is casting an extra wide net for skill position talent.

 

[allenm5333]

FSU commit. 247 has Notre Dame interest as “cool”, while all other schools interest is “none”. That part probably means nothing though.

This staff is casting an extra wide net for skill position talent.

Is he definitely a wr? Could he be a db?

 

[Cpnd1]

Is he definitely a wr? Could he be a db?

I just assumed caused Seider and brown were the coaches he tagged

 

[FU BK]

Is he definitely a wr? Could he be a db?

Me and 08 are thinking DT after a bulking plan

 

[Dale]

FSU commit. 247 has Notre Dame interest as “cool”, while all other schools interest is “none”. That part probably means nothing though.

This staff is casting an extra wide net for skill position talent.

Looks like he’s a soft commit at this point:

 

[Rocketman84]

FSU commit. 247 has Notre Dame interest as “cool”, while all other schools interest is “none”. That part probably means nothing though.

This staff is casting an extra wide net for skill position talent.

Wow the kid is the exact same height and weight as my 13yo son...My eyes would've lit up seeing someone that wiry across from me, he will definitely struggle trying to cover D1 WRs at that size.

 

[BobbyMac]

A couple of things now that I got into my old email to gain access to the site (That 30 Day reauthentication deal is a real pain for me)

I've been kicking it around that I wish ND would look into Matt Ponatoski as there seems to be this bad vibe that is floating around on Grubbs. Well someone on 247 pointed out to me that Bama and Oregon both offered in the past week. So there's that.

Seabees for Sorenson at Servite.

 

[allenm5333]

A couple of things now that I got into my old email to gain access to the site (That 30 Day reauthentication deal is a real pain for me)

I've been kicking it around that I wish ND would look into Matt Ponatoski as there seems to be this bad vibe that is floating around on Grubbs. Well someone on 247 pointed out to me that Bama and Oregon both offered in the past week. So there's that.

Seabees for Sorenson at Servite.

I dont think its bad vibes. Just people dont think he is special. No buzz of moving on (that we know of)

 

[NDPhilly]

He’s very accurate and a great processor for his age, but he’s undersized and doesn’t have a big arm. Grubb’s ceiling is higher.

 

[Irish du Nord]

A couple of things now that I got into my old email to gain access to the site (That 30 Day reauthentication deal is a real pain for me)

I've been kicking it around that I wish ND would look into Matt Ponatoski as there seems to be this bad vibe that is floating around on Grubbs. Well someone on 247 pointed out to me that Bama and Oregon both offered in the past week. So there's that.

Seabees for Sorenson at Servite.

What's the deal on Sorenson? It looks like he has all of his OVs set or already taken, but we just offered this week, right? He has a great offer list.

 

[BobbyMac]

He’s very accurate and a great processor for his age, but he’s undersized and doesn’t have a big arm. Grubb’s ceiling is higher.

Perfect Game has him at 6-2 with a 92 mph heater.

Have you written off Peyton Houston cuz he’s 5-11/6-0?

 

[BobbyMac]

What's the deal on Sorenson? It looks like he has all of his OVs set or already taken, but we just offered this week, right? He has a great offer list.

I think ND doesn’t like where they’re at with Premer/Ludwig and this is a demo bullseye.

 

[Cpnd1]

WR/RB offer

I am assuming it’s him??

 

[Irish du Nord]

Perfect Game has him at 6-2 with a 92 mph heater.

Have you written off Peyton Houston cuz he’s 5-11/6-0?

I’d sure like to!

That’s legit heat from Ponatowski. He looks skinny at this point, curious how his athleticism and arm strength develop as he fills out

 

[Dale]

Considering the argument of dropping Grubbs is we just signed Hebert, I’m not sure signing a QB that may never make it to campus makes sense.

Ponatoski would need a full press from the baseball staff, like mid level SEC schools are doing.

He’s the #16 baseball player in the country. At best will play both, at worst will never step foot on a college campus.

 

[BoredIrish]

Mason West, Edina , Quarterback

This kid is a big time hockey prospect and apparently is considering ND for Hockey. Cant imagine there has ever been a kid play football and hockey in college, but I found it interesting so I thought I'd share.