You're showing your age buddy. Football isn't about 5 star recruits lined up all over the place. It's about getting the right guys for your systems. You need talent for sure, no doubt about that. But you don't need a bunch of 5 stars to win. Just look at Alabama 2 years ago. Their defense how PLENTY of 3 stars and even a no star in there, and they completely dominated the SEC.
If anything, you'd love to combine the moxy of a Rees (which Mauk seems to have), the athleticism to move the pocket and run if need be (mauk has that), and the physical attributes of a Dayne Crist type, and the ability to do it in your system. I don't need the consensus #1 recruit if a) I'm not sure he'll come, and b)i have a guy that wants to be Irish AND might even fit my system better. Mauk's dad sw today's practice and said their systems are eerily similar (without the complexities of course), so you KNOW Mauk can put up numbers in the spread.
Mauk is a gamer guys, not unlike Colt McCoy. Need 2 yards and there's a linebacker in front of him? He'll put his head down and get those 2 yards. 4th and 8 with the game on the line? He'll fit the ball in that tight spot with cool ice in his veins.
OMM said everything that needed to be said about attitude. BK wouldn't recruit a selfish prick.
I'll say this...you have 4 years of eligibility left between both Hendrix and Golson, both considered QBs of the future. You are absolutely fine on taking a QB that would need time to develop, especially one that you know will suit your system to a tee. And if Kiel is scared off by competition, then oh well, you still have a highly rated QB in Mauk. And if Kiel wants to come on board and compete and show why he's the top QB prospect in the nation, the more the merrier.
It's a tough call I know, but I'll take the bird in the hand, the one who knows the system, is a better athlete, and wants to be at ND, over the stud QB that we're not sure wants to be at ND. That's my take anyways...