Is 2009 recruiting on track?

[Bleed Green]

As of 9/30, Scout has ND ranked at number 14. We have 14 commits, with an average rating of 3.64.

Scout.com: Football Recruiting

We might be surprised by a successful 2008 -- but it's still early -- although we definitely expect a strong 2009. The challenge is that the team has to pull in a strong recruiting class for 2009 in order to maintain a strong pipeline for the future.

Are we on track for a great 2009?

It seems like we have missed out on a lot of top players, and we look to be behind the pace of the teams that are ahead of us.

Perhaps no need for a complete panic because we are in good company. Alabama is ahead of us at number 13, with 15 recruits, and Penn State is just behind us at number 15, with 17 recruits. We are keeping good company. But given the momentum behind both Alabama and Penn State, both of those teams should continue to do well in recruiting.

What does everybody think?

 

[AlbuquerqueIrishFan]

I'm still a bit spoiled from the 2008 recruits but I expected to see us higher than this. Perhaps we will finish strong and get in the top 10.

 

[Freeman Ara]

I think last year we got lucky because we had most of our class in house verbally before the season went in the tank. This year I think many of the potential recruits are going to take a wait and see attitude. If we get to like the 7- 8 win mark with 3-4 games left then I think many people that had us in the race but went somewhere else might start looking at us again. This is just my opinion and I don't have any inside knowledge or anything but we could see some flip-flops in our favor this year.

 

[SoCalDomer]

Recruiting, recruiting stars and class rank is always an interesting issue. I understand wanting to be the #1 class and wanting a bunch of 5-stars from the fans perspective. History has shown the teams that win the NC usually have classes ranked in the top-10 on a regular basis. But some of the best players in college were very much overlooked by the recruiting services. Jake Long, 2008 #1 draft pick, is an example.

So I think some perspective is required.

Understand the coaches are not seeking to obtain the #1 recruiting class as ranked by the sites. They are going after guys they've evaluated and determined are beneficial to the team because of their potential AND because of a specific need on the team. For example, I don't think any coach would go out and obtain commitments from 3 top QBs and 5 top RBs (assuming they would all commit) simply for the purpose of getting the #1 rank by scout or rivals.

A quality class has more to do with getting the guys the coaches want. They know the holes in the depth charts and they know how to evaluate potential.

If ND can obtain commitments from a couple more defensive lineman and one more offensive lineman, I think the class is a successful one, even if it is comprised of only 18-20 members and ranked in the top 15.

Also, don't forget that the recruiting rank sites can be biased. ESPN seems to be the worst at this. Recruits who play in ESPN's HS bowl game seem to be ranked much higher than other recruits that do not. ESPN also seems to be way off compared to the other services.

Guys who come and work out at the recruiting sites' camps seemingly move up the charts as compared to recruits who don't. On the one hand that seems fair, but consider that what the sites are really evaluating is practice reps, not game reps. How a player plays in games is far more indicative of talent/potential than how well they do in practice drills.

A recruit who is already commited before the summer camps is unlikely to attend additional camps, and could be moved down in rank when he did nothing to show his unworthiness.

 

[JeremyND07]

I think we are ranked between 10-15 after it is all said and done. It will be hard for us to bring a lot of high profile talent with the number of Freshman and Sophmores currently starting. If a HS senior wants to start right away there only a few positions at ND that those type of players would be interested in. I agree we need DL & OL players...I would also like to see a big name MLB to step in for Crumm!!!

 

[Freeman Ara]

"For example, I don't think any coach would go out and obtain commitments from 3 top QBs and 5 top RBs (assuming they would all commit) simply for the purpose of getting the #1 rank by scout or rivals."

Is Pete Carroll aware of this? I'm kidding...I think

 

[NDinL.A.]

"For example, I don't think any coach would go out and obtain commitments from 3 top QBs and 5 top RBs (assuming they would all commit) simply for the purpose of getting the #1 rank by scout or rivals."

Is Pete Carroll aware of this? I'm kidding...I think

2 things about USC:

1) I took my students (it's recess right now, so chill out) through the campus on the way to a field trip yesterday, and my goodness, the tail that is on that campus is unreal. I'm trying to be a role model and not stare, but jimmeny chriquets there are some fine women there (It was almost 100 degrees, so imagine what they were wearing). It reminded me why I deal with the traffic and the smog and rudeness of people down here.

Point being, it's tough recruiting against a school that has so much success, with a young (ish) coach that gets you fired up just watching him, and with that much gorgeous tail being thrown at you. I don't blame a recruit for wanting to go there, especially when they can barely read.

2) I just got 2 USC tickets for this weekend's game and I threw them away. Screw that school...

 

[SoCalDomer]

"For example, I don't think any coach would go out and obtain commitments from 3 top QBs and 5 top RBs (assuming they would all commit) simply for the purpose of getting the #1 rank by scout or rivals."

Is Pete Carroll aware of this? I'm kidding...I think

i don't think he does it for the purpose of getting the #1 ranked class though. plus, he only gets 3-top RBs per recruiting class. But that's more due to those recruits being dingleberries.

hey, does anyone think Marc Tyler is 2nd guessing his decision not to join Clausen? at least the benches in SoCal are warm.

 

[irish4ever]

my goodness, the tail that is on that campus is unreal. I'm trying to be a role model and not stare, but jimmeny chriquets there are some fine women there

Wear dark sunglasses .... it works all the time!

 

[Pinoy QB]

Yeah Cali girls are hot and they don't discriminate.

 

[wicket]

To be honoust I think we are just one or two prospects away from having a really good recruitment class. However We do need one big hit. I was thinking either one or the big LB's or Xavier Nixon, if we get one of those three we have a really good year and if somehow we manage to get two of them we have a great year.

 

[goldandblue]

I think our closet shot with the LB's is going to be Jenkins. I don't think that Teo is headed this way. As for Nixon I think he stays in the south.

 

[irish4ever]

Now that Motta has committed, I wonder what is next in store for the Irish recruiting fold?!? It sure would be great to see that elite WR come on board (Shaq Attack go ahead and commit). It would be nice to get either Jenkins or Telfort at LB. Also, a top notch D-line ... Bonds or Curtis. I wish that Nixon would join the OL cimmitments that the Irish have landed, but I don't foresee him doing so. Thoughts?

 

[wicket]

Ive looked for the dates over the last couple of years and usually we are about 2/3ds of the way in by now, also i didnt really see a difference in quality of the recruits coming in late. Since we prolly gonna have plenty of spots left I have a good feeling about landing I of the 5 5* recruits for whom we are still in the race, add a couple of 4 star prospects and we have another good year.

 

[Synoptico]

We need at least 1 DL (custis, Bonds, Kasa) and 1 LB (teo, Jenkins, Telfort)

 

[irish4ever]

We need at least 1 DL (custis, Bonds, Kasa) and 1 LB (teo, Jenkins, Telfort)

I didn't include Kasa (academics?) or Teo (can't see him going anywhere but BYU or USC with his plans for 2 yr. hiatus on a mission). If I'm wrong on that thinking, my bad.