2014 Master List

[Ironman8]

To me though, if in actuality we only have 2 spots left, I wouldn't want to use one on Braden even if he did want to commit.

To me one spot is for sure Nyles Morgan - which I am sure everyone agrees with. The second spot, I would much rather it go to a Payton Hendrix or IM/CN type before another OL.

We are stacked on the OL and at TE. I think Braden and Dalton are great prospects, but personally I would much rather fill potential holes with good prospects in this cycle then build crazy depth at some positions with very good prospects where we aren't wanting.

It sucks to have to do that, but such is life at ND. If we truly have just 2 spots left, and we get Nyles Morgan and Payton Hendrix, I will be very happy with the class we brought in.

 

[Crazy Balki]

I'm pretty sure 3 is more likely than 2. ND really has to fill 25 this year. It should be a priority of Kelly to go into fall camp with 85 scholarship players on roster (barring transfers).

In my opinion, I believe we will get Morgan. I don't know what these "rumors" are about McKenzie, but we'll find out tomorrow. I'm pretty confident he'll get in. If not, then that pretty much guarantees Nelson will be on board. If Quick is really having academic issues, then ND should really push for DT Marcus Griffin to finish out the class. They need a guy that's at least AT 300 to help man the NG position. If not, then Hendrix or Schultz (if he decides ND). I'd say 25 is where we want to be.

 

[NDdomer2]

I'm pretty sure 3 is more likely than 2. ND really has to fill 25 this year. It should be a priority of Kelly to go into fall camp with 85 scholarship players on roster (barring transfers).

In my opinion, I believe we will get Morgan. I don't know what these "rumors" are about McKenzie, but we'll find out tomorrow. I'm pretty confident he'll get in. If not, then that pretty much guarantees Nelson will be on board. If Quick is really having academic issues, then ND should really push for DT Marcus Griffin to finish out the class. They need a guy that's at least AT 300 to help man the NG position. If not, then Hendrix or Schultz (if he decides ND). I'd say 25 is where we want to be.

Where do you get these assumptions at. Personally, I think Nelson is a longer shot than Isiah. Nelson still wanted to take more visits and every report we got back from his official was conflicting.

As for the two spots. I really hope it goes 1. Morgan 2. Griffin

Since it doesn't look like we plan to offer Griffin I am going to say we actually finish with 1. Morgan 2. Hendrix. And like Ironman said, that's a perfectly good finish to a really good class.

My biggest offensive want is Quick but I hope ND goes the defense route instead. After Golson (or Ziare I suppose) is back at the helm the offensive recruits should be easier to talk to going forward.

 

[IrishLax]

To me though, if in actuality we only have 2 spots left, I wouldn't want to use one on Braden even if he did want to commit.

To me one spot is for sure Nyles Morgan - which I am sure everyone agrees with. The second spot, I would much rather it go to a Payton Hendrix or IM/CN type before another OL.

We are stacked on the OL and at TE. I think Braden and Dalton are great prospects, but personally I would much rather fill potential holes with good prospects in this cycle then build crazy depth at some positions with very good prospects where we aren't wanting.

It sucks to have to do that, but such is life at ND. If we truly have just 2 spots left, and we get Nyles Morgan and Payton Hendrix, I will be very happy with the class we brought in.

I think we'd take a lot more than 2 if we could get the prospects. But it doesn't seem like we're going to get them.

 

[Cpnd1]

@SWiltfong247: Of the remaining #NotreDame targets, who the #Irish may have the best shot to land leading up to NSD: http://t.co/lVQhw0l6UH #ND

 

[Emcee77]

@SWiltfong247: Of the remaining #NotreDame targets, who the #Irish may have the best shot to land leading up to NSD: As of Dec. 20 (best shot to land on NSD) #ND

1. Morgan (Steve is wholeheartedly picking the Irish, without reservation)
2. P. Hendrix ("whenever ND wants to take him" -- maybe doesn't have a committable offer? might be reading into it)
3. C. Nelson (ND in a good spot)

(BIG GAP)

4. Juju (Steve hasn't changed his crystal ball but it might as well say SC; it's a toss-up and will go to NSD)
5. Quick (toss-up among OU, UCLA and us)

6. Braden Smith (we're in the mix but Steve's sources still have him staying down south)
7. Schultz (we gave him a lot to think about on his OV, but Stanford still leads)
8. Solomon Thomas (need a visit)
9. Andrew Williams (need a visit)

Basically, Morgan, Hendrix and Nelson we lead for; Juju and Quick are true 50/50 tossups right now; the others we trail for. Decent shot at Braden and Schultz; long shot for Thomas and Williams.

None of that is to say that we are out of it for McKenzie. ND hasn't ruled him out.

 

[ChiRish]

1. Morgan
2. P. Hendrix
3. C. Nelson

(BIG GAP)

4. Juju
5. Quick
6. Braden Smith
7. Schultz
8. Solomon Thomas
9. Andrew Williams

Basically, Morgan, Hendrix and Nelson we lead for; Juju and Quick are true 50/50 tossups right now; the others we trail for. Decent shot at Braden and Schultz; long shot for Thomas and Williams.

I think that one hurts the most. Maybe there's more to the academic stuff mentioned in his thread? Or perhaps just trending more towards OU or USC? Wanted him badly.

 

[koonja]

I always thought Quick was headed to Oklahoma. He seems to interact with Sooner players quite a bit on twitter.

Do we like where we stand with Charles Nelson? I never paid attention to his recruitment.

 

[Emcee77]

I think that one hurts the most. Maybe there's more to the academic stuff mentioned in his thread? Or perhaps just trending more towards OU or USC? Wanted him badly.

No, no trend away on Quick. It's a toss-up and we have as good a shot as OU or UCLA (SC not a player, apparently).

Do we like where we stand with Charles Nelson? I never paid attention to his recruitment.

I added some detail to my above post ... Steve likes where we stand with Nelson.

 

[PANDFAN]

can someone update today's intel?

 

[BleedBlueGold]

To me though, if in actuality we only have 2 spots left, I wouldn't want to use one on Braden even if he did want to commit.

To me one spot is for sure Nyles Morgan - which I am sure everyone agrees with. The second spot, I would much rather it go to a Payton Hendrix or IM/CN type before another OL.

We are stacked on the OL and at TE. I think Braden and Dalton are great prospects, but personally I would much rather fill potential holes with good prospects in this cycle then build crazy depth at some positions with very good prospects where we aren't wanting.

It sucks to have to do that, but such is life at ND. If we truly have just 2 spots left, and we get Nyles Morgan and Payton Hendrix, I will be very happy with the class we brought in.

I think we'd take a lot more than 2 if we could get the prospects. But it doesn't seem like we're going to get them.

So if the staff is willing to take more than two (Morgan, Hendrix for example)...why would Schultz be a no-take eventhough TE isn't a need? Seems to me they're not going to fill up with "need" players...so why not take best available regardless of position if they in fact want on board?

And for the record, this is exactly why I was upset about passing on Erik Brown. Seems like there's a legit chance the staff misses on Lazard, Quick, McKenzie, and Nelson...not that WR is such a pressing need but every year something like this happens. If the staff is really ok with pushing the over-signing limit, they need to be ok with taking players like Brown when he wants on board, then swinging for the fences for the big dogs. If they want in, great. If not, no harm done because they had a guy like Brown. Just my opinion.

 

[NDdomer2]

So if the staff is willing to take more than two (Morgan, Hendrix for example)...why would Schultz be a no-take eventhough TE isn't a need? Seems to me they're not going to fill up with "need" players...so why not take best available regardless of position if they in fact want on board?

And for the record, this is exactly why I was upset about passing on Erik Brown. Seems like there's a legit chance the staff misses on Lazard, Quick, McKenzie, and Nelson...not that WR is such a pressing need but every year something like this happens. If the staff is really ok with pushing the over-signing limit, they need to be ok with taking players like Brown when he wants on board, then swinging for the fences for the big dogs. If they want in, great. If not, no harm done because they had a guy like Brown. Just my opinion.

RE: the WR position. It was reported not to long ago that the staff is perfectly happy with current receivers plus Brent and Holmes. They may not feel that Erik is worth taking. If I had to guess it goes Lazard, Quick, McKenzie, Nelson..........Brown. Lazard and McKenzie are not options. Nelson was told if his spot may be gone if he waits so they seem to think Quick is worth it no matter what and would take Nelson if there is room.

At least that's how I see it.

 

[Ironman8]

I don't know why you would take a guy like Brown, who obviously the staff isn't extremely high on and see as a back up option at most, and use the scholarship especially when next year is already projected to be so small. We are stacked at WR, and our CB depth is pretty solid (and we are in on a lot of '15 guys early). I'd rather grab an extra DL like Marcus Griffin than an Erik Brown personally.

 

[koonja]

I wish NDinLA would chime in on Brown. If I remember right, he seemed really high on him.

 

[Luckylucci]

I don't know why you would take a guy like Brown, who obviously the staff isn't extremely high on and see as a back up option at most, and use the scholarship especially when next year is already projected to be so small. We are stacked at WR, and our CB depth is pretty solid (and we are in on a lot of '15 guys early). I'd rather grab an extra DL like Marcus Griffin than an Erik Brown personally.

I don't question the staff too often because they know more than I in all situations but this is puzzling to me. I just don't get why we wouldn't. I like Dickerson a lot but its tough for any one player to play 60+ snaps at that position. Plus, if we bring on Griffin then Dickerson could move around and play some DE which I think may be better suited for him anyways.

 

[Emcee77]

I don't question the staff too often because they know more than I in all situations but this is puzzling to me. I just don't get why we wouldn't. I like Dickerson a lot but its tough for any one player to play 60+ snaps at that position. Plus, if we bring on Griffin then Dickerson could move around and play some DE which I think may be better suited for him anyways.

Well, just playing devil's advocate, but he wouldn't have to carry the load by himself. He'd have help from older players next year and presumably younger players every year thereafter. We have Springmann for two more years and Jarron Jones for three, and presumably we would go after a stud NT in the 2015 class. So Springmann, Jones and Dickerson (with some help from Jay Hayes or Rochell, maybe) would just have to get us through 2014.

 

[Emcee77]

Interesting, Loy just posted his prediction for how the class ends up:

--Morgan commits to ND on the 4th.
--We get either Juju or Hendrix.
--We make room for Quick if he wants to come, Brown if he doesn't.

McKenzie doesn't qualify, Nelson takes too long and the class fills up before he decides, Schultz and Thomas choose other schools.

TIFWIW.

 

[IrishLax]

So if the staff is willing to take more than two (Morgan, Hendrix for example)...why would Schultz be a no-take eventhough TE isn't a need? Seems to me they're not going to fill up with "need" players...so why not take best available regardless of position if they in fact want on board?

And for the record, this is exactly why I was upset about passing on Erik Brown. Seems like there's a legit chance the staff misses on Lazard, Quick, McKenzie, and Nelson...not that WR is such a pressing need but every year something like this happens. If the staff is really ok with pushing the over-signing limit, they need to be ok with taking players like Brown when he wants on board, then swinging for the fences for the big dogs. If they want in, great. If not, no harm done because they had a guy like Brown. Just my opinion.

Yeah, my view of this is that we'll take as many players as we think are championship caliber players right now OR will address a need. I think we'll take up to 4 if we could get Morgan, Smith, Quick, Lazard. Will that happen? Almost surely not.

So we'll take Morgan, and we'll likely look at Nelson for a PR/speed guy and we've got about ~8 prospects remaining plus that CB out of Louisiana... some of which might be takes, some of which might not. What does the staff do with Braden Smith if the numbers are crunched? What about if they aren't and all we've pulled is Morgan?

Every guy that we pass on now (Brown, Hendrix, Schultz) isn't a huge waste because it allows us to likely take a quality 5th year (Kendall Moore, etc.) and more importantly allows us to have more room in a loaded 2015 year where we currently don't have many open spots.

So with Hendrix... if the staff didn't like his senior film, they might be fine letting him go elsewhere, waiting on Juju, and then when they miss taking Collinsworth for a 5th year + targeting a better safety in 2015 if that makes sense. Similar logic can be applied to most prospects because we've hit all depth needs outside of return man and interior DL with multiple quality prospects.

 

[Cpnd1]

Interesting, Loy just posted his prediction for how the class ends up:

--Morgan commits to ND on the 4th.
--We get either Juju or Hendrix.
--We make room for Quick if he wants to come, Brown if he doesn't.

McKenzie doesn't qualify, Nelson takes too long and the class fills up before he decides, Schultz and Thomas choose other schools.

TIFWIW.

I would be fine with Morgan, Hendrix, and Brown. That's a top 10 class right there. However I trust this staff will get one of Juju or Quick.

 

[IrishLax]

Interesting, Loy just posted his prediction for how the class ends up:

--Morgan commits to ND on the 4th.
--We get either Juju or Hendrix.
--We make room for Quick if he wants to come, Brown if he doesn't.

McKenzie doesn't qualify, Nelson takes too long and the class fills up before he decides, Schultz and Thomas choose other schools.

TIFWIW.

That seems pretty darn close to what I'd project, except I'm not even sure if we take Hendrix if we miss on Juju.

 

[dwshade]

As to Dalton Schultz if he wants to come we'll gladly take him. RS two of the three TE's and essentially count them in the 2015 class. As to Marcus Griffin I just don't think ND is wowed enough by him to offer. I think they question his true height and he may lack position flexibility that they like. Could simply be another Brandon Newman in their mind.

 

[PANDFAN]

As to Dalton Schultz if he wants to come we'll gladly take him. RS two of the three TE's and essentially count them in the 2015 class. As to Marcus Griffin I just don't think ND is wowed enough by him to offer. I think they question his true height and he may lack position flexibility that they like. Could simply be another Brandon Newman in their mind.

diaco wasn't high on him, with him gone that could change

 

[Emcee77]

That seems pretty darn close to what I'd project, except I'm not even sure if we take Hendrix if we miss on Juju.

Yeah, I guess the only thing in there that surprised me is that he thinks we would make room for Brown if we can't get Quick. I thought he was a take-if-there's-room prospect, not a make-room-for-him prospect.

 

[dwshade]

diaco wasn't high on him, with him gone that could change

Would be very surprised if he were offered. Wasn't just Diaco's opinion.

 

[PANDFAN]

makes for an exciting signing day as long as we stay w/ current commits and a name pops

 

[STLDomer]

http://www.irishenvy.com/forums/2014-recruiting-profiles/69214-14-il-ilb-nyles-morgan-offer.html

Undoubtedly the most important recruit left IMO and ND appears to be the clear leader at this point with Ole Miss dropping out and Vanderbilt likely second at this point. He made 3 trips to South Bend this fall and likes the chance for early PT at ILB, that ND is close to home and him and his parents like the academics of Notre Dame. Look for him to commit to Notre Dame on January 4, 2014 at the Army All American Game.

http://www.irishenvy.com/forums/2014-recruiting-profiles/89631-14-ca-ath-john-juju-smith-offer.html

Notre Dame vs. Southern Cal battle for Juju with other West Coast schools like Oregon hanging around there too. Appears to like that Kiffin is gone and trending towards USC at the moment though Wiltfong and others remain confident that he ends up in South Bend. Juju and his parents are admittedly USC fans but he says he likes a lot of what ND has to offer including the fact that Tyler Luatua and Max Redfield are there. ND is recruiting him as an ATH but I would expect him to play Safety if he came to ND. Look for him to commit close to or on NSD.

http://www.irishenvy.com/forums/2014-recruiting-profiles/69008-14-ca-wr-db-michiah-quick-offer.html

Right now an ND vs OU battle with schools like UCLA and USC lurking but most expect him to leave Cali. Obvious connections to OU with all the Fresno guys there but really likes ND and Denbrock and sees the opportunity at ND. This one will probably be announced on NSD and I think is a toss up right now. There are some academic concerns.

http://www.irishenvy.com/forums/2014-recruiting-profiles/89405-14-ut-te-dalton-schultz-offer.html

A third TE is not a huge need but Schultz is still being recruited heavily by ND. Stanford leads still but ND made a big impression on his OV recently and this will be another closer to NSD decision. I would put it at 60 - 40 Stanford vs Notre Dame right now.

http://www.irishenvy.com/forums/2014-recruiting-profiles/69842-14-tx-de-solomon-thomas-offer.html

Not in his recent Top 5 but Notre Dame is still working on him and trying to get him to OV in January. Thomas will decide close NSD so there is still some time but right now landing him is a long shot with Stanford leading and OSU likely in second.

http://www.irishenvy.com/forums/2014-recruiting-profiles/69940-14-ks-ol-braden-smith-offer.html

Been quiet between him and ND for months but he is taking a OV to South Bend in January and ND is likely third on his list behind Texas A&M and TCU. Another OL is not a need in this class with only a couple spots left but Smith is big time. Still expect him to land at TCU.

http://www.irishenvy.com/forums/201...-14-ia-wr-allen-lazard-iowa-state-verbal.html

If Paul Rhoads gets fired for some reason he'll be Irish otherwise he is going to Iowa State.

http://www.irishenvy.com/forums/2014-recruiting-profiles/72118-14-ga-wde-andrew-williams-offer.html

Long shot at this point with Clemson and Auburn leading but ND is still on him and trying to get him to take an OV in January.

http://www.irishenvy.com/forums/2014-recruiting-profiles/184939-14-fl-ath-charles-nelson-offer.html

Likes ND a lot and appears to be the focus with McKenzie likely not qualifying. Only a few spots left and he right now wants to OV to schools like USC (likely not a take right now for them). If he wants a spot he should take it soon IMO.
http://www.irishenvy.com/forums/2014-recruiting-profiles/172082-14-tx-db-payton-hendrix-offer.html

ND is still the favorite but we will see what happens with a small number of spots left. Arkansas is also a favorite of his.

http://www.irishenvy.com/forums/201...32408-14-fl-wr-isaiah-mckenzie-offer.html[/U]

If he qualifies he will be Irish but don't expect that to happen at this point.

http://www.irishenvy.com/forums/2014-recruiting-profiles/132929-14-ca-wr-erik-brown-cal-verbal.html

Right now is not a take but he has always liked Notre Dame and if ND wanted to they could make a strong push at him but don't expect that to happen with prospects like Quick still on the board and only a few spots left

Bump

 

[GBdomer]

Tom Loy must realllly know something about JuJu or else he is reading into comments he says in articles to feel this confident at times.

 

[IrishLax]

Tom Loy must realllly know something about JuJu or else he is reading into comments he says in articles to feel this confident at times.

There are a lot of people who seem to be strangely really confident in landing Juju. Very, very confident. I don't buy it... I think when he takes his OV to USC in January that it will seal the deal for them. It's also telling to me that he never, ever mentions much about ND when talking to national reporters or reporters from other teams... yet USC is mentioned in every single one. Makes me think he might be blowing some smoke to ND coaches, and considering those are typically some of the best sources we may be getting lead astray.

 

[GBdomer]

There are a lot of people who seem to be strangely really confident in landing Juju. Very, very confident. I don't buy it... I think when he takes his OV to USC in January that it will seal the deal for them. It's also telling to me that he never, ever mentions much about ND when talking to national reporters or reporters from other teams... yet USC is mentioned in every single one. Makes me think he might be blowing some smoke to ND coaches, and considering those are typically some of the best sources we may be getting lead astray.

Exactly, Adam Gorney doesn't even think we are in his top 4.

 

[koonja]

There are a lot of people who seem to be strangely really confident in landing Juju. Very, very confident. I don't buy it... I think when he takes his OV to USC in January that it will seal the deal for them. It's also telling to me that he never, ever mentions much about ND when talking to national reporters or reporters from other teams... yet USC is mentioned in every single one. Makes me think he might be blowing some smoke to ND coaches, and considering those are typically some of the best sources we may be getting lead astray.

IMO, this is hot girl vs. good girl.

You know what the right choice is, and so you let down the good girl by giving confusingly-positive comments for a while, because you don't want to totally ignore the fact that you really do think she'd be the smartest choice.

Here's to hoping Juju makes better decisions than I .