2018 - State of the Recruiting Class thread

[ACamp1900]

I must have totally missed where Parker Boudreaux transferred... well hell.

 

[snoopdog]

Two preliminary remarks in case I'm screwing something up here:
a). I don't believe that the following OLine recruiting information has been posted (it's about national recruiting but reflects on ND);
b). It depends upon whether ESPN's information is up to date.

With that: We worry greatly here about our 2018 OLine recruiting but maybe we need to cut Harry some slack.

1). Only 1 team currently has four 4* commitments (LSU).
2). Only three teams have three 4* commitments (OK,TX, A&M --- this reflects the special OLine dominance of the Texas area and who is established there).
3). Nine teams have two 4* commitments.
4). Ten more are like us with one 4* commitment.
5). More than 30 teams in the power five conferences have no 4* commitments.

Further:
6). Several very prominent teams have no 4* commitments. These include Clemson, Auburn, Wisconsin, Iowa, Stanford, UCLA, Mississippi State.
7). At least seven SEC teams have no 4* commitments. In the B1G only three have any at all.
8). Pro coaches acknowledge that the best trained OLinemen typically come from Notre Dame, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Stanford. ND is the only one of the three to have a single 4* commitment.

What are the other three great OLine systems recruiting so far this year?
9). Stanford has 1 3* OT
10). Wisconsin has 1 3* OT
11). Iowa has a 3* OT and a 3* OG

Conclusion: the absolute best in the country are in a real grinder year, and are seeing targeting higher potential 3*s as OK this time.

Both Dirksen and Mabry are 3 star

 

[BobbyMac]

I must have totally missed where Parker Boudreaux transferred... well hell.

Bobby Grich also retired.

 

[ACamp1900]

Bobby Grich also retired.

My parents loved Bobby Grich... anyway I purposely try not to keep up with this stuff, I found it made me miserable... but I still am made aware most times... I literally had no clue or totally forgot that he transferred.

 

[Me2SouthBend]

Bobby Grich also retired.

When did this happen? WTF? How did I miss that?

 

[Old Man Mike]

Apologize for my not bothering to look our own ratings up, and going with an old memory of Dirkson as a 4*. The general point, despite negative pickyism, holds (especially since both Mabry and Dirkson are top-of-the-three-star scale.)


But the real reason for this post is to give a little more "opinion" about the OLine. College OLines typically recruit four per year --- try to average that anyway --- in order to field perhaps 14 operative scholarship OLinemen in practice etc. (assumption is that injuries and transfers will happen AND that the squad really doesn't NEED the full 4x5 full replacement numbers at OLine since you really play only about seven per year --- OLines being units of five which grind all season.) HH and Coach Kelly would have comfortably had their numbers except for the numbers-crippling transfers of GOOD players who would have played (esp Boudreaux and Hoge.)

OK. Enough of what-if; what is the situation?

2018 season: Hainsey/ Kraemer/ Mustipher/ Bars/ Eichenberg --- mix and match as you want. This group (with Lugg and Banks and a dash of Ruhland and Gibbons,) is a terrific bunch. I would not be surprised if it becomes one of the top five OLines in the country again. Total Oline numbers?: eleven, plus perhaps Byrne and one more addition, for thirteen --- two additions = 14 ---- slim but given the quality at the top, OK.

2019 season: (Mustipher and Bars and Byrne go.) Lets assume we take four in recruiting. That equals 14 on squad if no transfers. That numberswise is OK. Playing might be Eichenberg/ Kraemer/ Hainsey/ Banks/ Lugg --- mix and match as you wish. Still a terrific group of starters. The playing back-ups are where it gets iffy. Say Ruhland and Gibbons can play. That's your seven. Perhaps the redshirted Mabry, Dirkson, or whoever we still add, can play. That's your back-up line. Your four rooks redshirt.

2020: NOBODY on that starting line leaves. ----> Killers. Thunderfists. Blasters.

I see this recruiting season as "unfortunate" for the numbers game but only as concerns second teamers in 2019. Given what Harry can do, our first teams should be defensive players worst nightmares.

Having said all that, I REALLY hope Harry gets two more this cycle. (Nick Martin was a three star when he bolted Kentucky if memory serves. I'll take two Nick Martins.)

 

[koonja]

So we got out core 20 with no surprises. Check.
We expect Braden Lenzy to round out the WR class on Friday.
Kyler Gordon appears to be announcing to UW tomorrow.

Given the ESP, there’s going to be some ‘commits’ that surprisingly didn’t sign, or weren’t given a spot they were expecting. Who are the leftovers in this class that we can prey on? I expect a couple of new names to pop up by the first week in January that we try to get in on and previously weren’t. Crusader I bet you have some guesses on what leftovers we might try to scrap up.

 

[NDMIA]

I'll do a prospect list of guys who ND offered and haven't signed. There are also offers that could go out to new guys on the 23rd and thereafter, but since we should have 21 signed by the end of the early period, I don't think there will be too many prospects left to sign (2-4 guys probably).

 

[NDMIA]

Like here's an example of RB's cause it's a small group left and we aren't really recruiting any more...

.9345 4* Keaontay Ingram - UT Commit
.9096 4* Jashaun Corbin
.9006 3* Lyn-J Dixon

Of the 13 RB offers that went out, only 3 are left not signed after day 1 and probably only 2 or 1 will be on the board thru Feb. 1 signing

 

[zelezo vlk]

Do we expect everybody signing to be an every year thing? Or will this be the outlier
?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

 

[koonja]

Do we expect everybody signing to be an every year thing? Or will this be the outlier
?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

I'm sure the staff's goal every year will be to get everyone 'committed' to sign early, unless they're waiting on some transcripts.

But the power is mostly with the kids, and eventually there will be one that surprisingly doesn't sign but still says he's 'committed'.

 

[ab2cmiller]

Do we expect everybody signing to be an every year thing? Or will this be the outlier
?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

Given BK's and Polian's comments, I would expect anyone that has committed to us prior to the early signing date to sign every year.

 

[dublinirish]

I'm sure the staff's goal every year will be to get everyone 'committed' to sign early, unless they're waiting on some transcripts.

But the power is mostly with the kids, and eventually there will be one that surprisingly doesn't sign but still says he's 'committed'.

very hard for a kid not to sign and say they are "committed". i bet coaches put the hard press on all the commits to sign else they risk getting their offers revoked.

 

[Calabrese's People]

Like here's an example of RB's cause it's a small group left and we aren't really recruiting any more...

.9345 4* Keaontay Ingram - UT Commit
.9096 4* Jashaun Corbin
.9006 3* Lyn-J Dixon

Of the 13 RB offers that went out, only 3 are left not signed after day 1 and probably only 2 or 1 will be on the board thru Feb. 1 signing

Dixon signed with Clemson

 

[BobbyMac]

Dixon signed with Clemson

<strike>We don't need another RB!!!</strike>

Oops, just read the CJ Holmes thread.

 

[Wingman Ray]

Look at the bright side...two more scholarship slots just opened up today! Or at least one...

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

I'm guessing Keys is a take no matter who else signs, even with Lenzy since we probably just lost KJS and may lose Holmes.

 

[beryirish]

Inside the Irish – Inside the Irish on NBCSports.com

With four spots remaining, what recruits is Notre Dame still chasing?

Notre Dame finished the early signing period with 21 signatures thanks to consensus four-star receiver Braden Lenzy’s (Tigard High School; Portland, Ore.) commitment on Friday. That leaves at least four spots for February signees on the traditional National Signing Day, Feb. 7.

If the right players wanted to commit to the Irish, the class could expand as high as 29 players without straining against NCAA rules. Early enrollees can be counted toward the previous class, meaning Notre Dame could chalk up four of the seven early enrollees as part of the class of 2017, which had only 21 pledges. Thus, neither class would exceed the ceiling of 25 prospects.

It is more likely 25 remains the mark to meet this year, at the most.

“We’re not going to take guys just to take guys, they’ve got to address needs,” Irish recruiting director Brian Polian said Wednesday. “We could go to 24, 25. We may go to 21, 22. We’ll see how it plays out here through the course of the rest of the recruiting period.”

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly outlined those needs. At that point, receiver was still in the discussion, but Lenzy’s commitment diminishes that need drastically.

“Defensive back is still in play for us, offensive line is still in play, and then best player available,” Kelly said. “I would probably highlight them in that fashion.”

Ten players seem most likely to fill those remaining scholarships and roster spots …

Consensus four-star safety Julius Irivin (Servite High School; Anaheim, Calif.)
The No. 8 safety in the class per rivals.com and the No. 87 prospect overall, Irvin appeared set to decide between Notre Dame, Washington and USC this week before a family emergency prompted him to delay his signing until February.

Consensus four-star cornerback Noah Boykin (H.D. Woodson H.S.; Washington, D.C.)
The No. 20 cornerback in the class and the No. 193 prospect overall, Boykin (pictured above) committed to Maryland in July but did not sign a National Letter of Intent this week. In other words, he is hardly committed. Such is the transparency the early signing period provides.

“It clears up a lot of the uncertainty in this process of guys not committed when they should be still visiting other schools and saying that they’re soft verbal [commitments],” Kelly said to explain his favorite part of this new process. “That never made any sense to me.”

Rivals.com four-star/247sports.com five-star offensive tackle Nick Petit-Frere (Berkeley Prep; Tampa, Fla.)
The No. 7 offensive tackle and No. 67 prospect overall, Petit-Frere has kept his recruitment thoughts close to the vest. He visited both Notre Dame and Michigan this fall and has shown interest in Alabama and Florida, as well.

Consensus three-star offensive tackle Luke Jones (Pulaski Academy, Little Rock, Ark.)
The No. 45 offensive tackle in the class per rivals.com, Jones mirrors Boykin. Jones committed to Arkansas in July but did not put pen to paper — or finger to cellphone screen, as would most likely be — this week. The difference lies in the coaching change at Arkansas. That alone could be the reason for Jones’ delay, wanting to gauge a possible relationship with new head coach Chad Morris, formerly of Southern Methodist University.
Malik Langham (rivals.com)

Consensus three-star defensive end Malik Langham (Lee H.S.; Huntsville, Ala.)
The No. 38 defensive end in the class, Langham toes the line between an Irish positional need and the “best player available” distinction. Notre Dame only offered him in December, joining the likes of his homestate Alabama and a few other SEC options.

Kelly made it clear Wednesday he will not pursue defensive linemen, specifically defensive ends, unless they fit a broader mold for the Irish. He has that luxury this cycle thanks to the continued progression of the four current sophomores at defensive end, led by Daelin Hayes and Khalid Kareem.

“We’re not going to take somebody just to take somebody in this class at that position,” Kelly said. “It has to do certainly that there is a need there, but if the fit is not there, we’re not going down that route unless the right fit is there.”

Consensus three-star defensive tackle Moro Ojomo (Katy; Texas)
Consensus three-star defensive tackle Otito Ogbonnia (Taylor H.S.; Katy, Texas)
Notre Dame extended offers to both these Texas products this week. Reading between the lines, that could point toward expectations of current junior defensive tackle Jerry Tillery heading to the NFL Draft, creating a need for more depth in the defensive interior.

Consensus five-star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (Mater Dei H.S.; Anaheim, Calif.)
The youngest brother of current Irish junior receiver Equanimeous St. Brown, Amon-Ra certainly fits the “best player available” qualifications. Rivals.com considers him the No. 1 receiver in the class and No. 3 prospect in the country. Notre Dame would jump at the chance to sign him even with the talented trio of receivers already committed. Plus, it would mean the Irish beat out USC, a victory just to not have to face a talent like St. Brown every season.

The Trojans gained another edge in this race, though, when St. Brown’s high school quarterback and the top passer in the class of 2019, JT Daniels, reclassified into the class of 2018 on Friday. He has been a staunch USC commit since July.

Consensus three-star receiver Lawrence Keys (McDonogh 35; New Orleans, La.)
The likelihood of Keys ending up with Notre Dame decreased significantly with Lenzy’s commitment, but if the Irish have a spot open come Feb. 7 and Keys wants it, there would be little reason to turn him away.

Consensus four-star linebacker Solomon Tuliaupupu (Mater Dei H.S.; Anaheim, Calif.)
It may be outright greedy of Notre Dame to look for the signing of a fifth linebacker, four of which would be four-star prospects, but Tuliaupupu might rival Jack Lamb (Great Oak; Temecula, Calif.) as the best of the bunch. Rivals.com slots Tuliaupupu as the No. 3 inside linebacker in the country and No. 94 overall prospect.

 

[Section20Row27]

Great class so far. Icing on the cake would be NPF and Irving. Love to get ASB, but it appears he is all USC.

 

[Old Man Mike]

TWO OL PLEASE

 

[BobbyMac]

Could ND possibly after another TE?

 

[BobbyMac]

Make that a TE who also plays DE... well, very well.

 

[IrishFanJMercy]

Who do you have in mind? The Leonard kid from ohio?

 

[IrishFanJMercy]

Leonard Taylor would he qualify?

 

[BobbyMac]

Who do you have in mind? The Leonard kid from ohio?

No but that's who I would have guessed too.

Spencer Webb from Sacramento. Committed to Ducks but available. I threw up a profile.

 

[Old Man Mike]

.... not polite to throw up on somebody's profile.

 

[NDJimmy]

Which of our 21 signees will be early enrollments?

 

[SouthSideChiDomer]

Which of our 21 signees will be early enrollments?

All three LBs so:
Jack Lamb
Bo Bauer
Ovie Oghoufo

and also:
Jahmir Smith
George Takacs
Micah Jones
Houston Griffith

I'm not sure on Lenzy but I don't think he is.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

All three LBs so:
Jack Lamb
Bo Bauer
Ovie Oghoufo

and also:
Jahmir Smith
George Takacs
Micah Jones
Houston Griffith

I'm not sure on Lenzy but I don't think he is.

Wow, those 7 are all EEs? That's fantastic.

This is one of our best secondary hauls so I decided to look at the classes above us and... Texas has an incredible secondary haul going on.

But I'm still very happy with where we are at. Can't believe we brought in Griffith and Allen.

 

[GoldenToTheGrave]

Wow, those 7 are all EEs? That's fantastic.

This is one of our best secondary hauls so I decided to look at the classes above us and... Texas has an incredible secondary haul going on.

But I'm still very happy with where we are at. Can't believe we brought in Griffith and Allen.

After we lost Lenzy and Gervin, I didn't think our DB/WR positions would get back to where they needed to be. Now we're in even better position than were were before. It's been a wild ride this year, I really believe this is the best recruiting class Kelly has had since 2013.