Four-star defensive tackle Hunter Spears
— I still like this pick for Notre Dame. He’ll visit for Junior Day this weekend (Jan. 27) and he seems to have a ton of interest in the Fighting Irish. The pick came in on Nov. 9, 2017 and confidence is high he’ll end up Irish.
Four-star offensive lineman Zeke Correll
— I put this pick in on Oct. 31, 2017, while everyone else was on Ohio State. I don’t like this pick as much as I did before, only because Harry Hiestand left to coach the Chicago Bears. However, defensive line coach Mike Elston has done a good job here and continues to put Notre Dame in very good shape. The school checks off all of Correll’s boxes. Long way to go here, but good news — he visits Notre Dam this weekend for Junior Day.
Four-star offensive lineman John Olmstead
— Again, a pick I liked much more when Hiestand was still on the Notre Dame coaching staff. That said, Olmstead loves Notre Dame and his interest in the school is very high. This pick was put in on Oct. 21, 2017 and I still feel comfortable with it.
Five-star safety Brian Williams
— This was Mike Elko’s top target in the class of 2019. With him leaving for Texas A&M, I don’t like the pick as much as I did when I first put it in on Sept. 14, 2017. If Elko had remained in South Bend, I fully expected the Irish to land him. We’ll see how things go moving forward, but it’ll be big if Clark Lea and new safeties coach Terry Joseph can put Notre Dame in good shape once again.
Four-star running back Cesare Mellusi
— Notre Dame has already hosted the Florida talent for a visit and he named the Irish his leader. Pretty cut and dry. Once that occurred, it was an easy Crystal Ball pick to make. Autry Denson has the Irish in good shape, which is why I predicted Notre Dame on Sept. 10, 2017.
Four-star defensive tackle Rodas Johnson
— Notre Dame continues to push very hard for one of the midwest’s top prospects. No question the Irish want him and there is no reason to not think Notre Dame can land him. The pick went in on July 25, 2017 and as of today, I still feel good. Michigan is a definite threat as well. Regarding Ohio State and Penn State, neither have offered yet, so neither are being considered at this time.
Four-star defensive tackle Mazi Smith
— Put this pick in on June 30, 2017 and continue to love it. I’m told Smith nearly popped for the Fighting Irish once, but everyone felt it would be best to take the trips he had lined up first before doing anything. Notre Dame will get him back on campus this weekend for Junior Day. Still liking the Irish here.
Four-star defensive tackle Jowon Briggs
— It seems as though others have climbed above him on the board, but the Irish still find themselves as a top contender for Briggs. This pick was tossed in on June 30, 2017 before a few other targets emerged for Notre Dame during their junior seasons. It’ll be interesting to see how this one shakes out. If Notre Dame pushes, it’s hard to see him ending up anywhere else.
Four-star offensive tackle Quinn Carroll
— Like with the offensive linemen before him, this was a pick I felt better about before Hiestand left for the NFL. That said, Notre Dame is in great shape and it’ll be up to the new offensive line coach to continue making Quinn feel like a top priority. I tossed this pick in on June 28, 2017 and continue to like it, just not as much as before.
Four-star safety Litchfield Ajavon
— Most believed it was Mike Elko that had Notre Dame in great shape here. He was the defensive coordinator and safeties coach. However, behind the scenes, it’s really Clark Lea that has the Irish in the mix to land Ajavon. Lea landing the defensive coordinator only helps Notre Dame’s chances. Put this pick in for the Irish on May 4, 2017 and while Michigan and Clemson are also major players here, I like Notre Dame today.
Four-star defensive end Joseph Anderson
— It’s genuinely hard to see this top talent from Tennessee ending up anywhere other than Notre Dame. The staff has done a tremendous job with this recruitment, which is why I still feel good about the pick I tossed in way back on Apr. 2, 2017. Mike Elston, Clark Lea and the rest of the coaches continue to push all of the right buttons on this one. He’ll visit for Junior Day this weekend. The Irish will look to pull further ahead.
