2019 - State of the Recruiting Class thread

[BobbyMac]

Guess it's time to get this started.

First thing to recognize is a year ago, ND just finished up their Junior Day and by the end of the week had 10 Commits. So ND is running behind this year. I think it's mostly due to the Spring OV's available to players in 2019. But it's time to start locking some key guys down and building the class.

At this time, the Irish have 3 commits:

DT - Jacob Lacey
QB - Cade Mcnamara
CB - KJ Wallace


Prospects ND is sitting pretty with:

OT - John Olmstead
OT - Quinn Carroll
RB - Chez Mellusi
APB - Kyren Williams
DT - Hunter Spears
DT - Mazi Smith
DT - Jowon Briggs
DT - Rodas Johnson
SDE - Joseph Anderson
S - Litchfield Ajavon

Maybe DB Kenyatta Watson and DE Nana Osofo Mensah too.

 

[BobbyMac]

I'm going to be rolling out my Pick 6's for each position group over the next week as I have time.

Starting tonight with the OT's.

The Pick 6's are six prospects in the following 6 categories:

1. Composite Rating - using 247
2. Most offered - to see who the coaches prefer compared to the analysts
3. ND's top current offers
4. Regional prospects - Easy drive to campus
5. 6 guys to know - Not offered, not covered, not for long at least.
6. Crusader's Crew = My best guess on who's the best fit for ND


Top Rated:

1. Devontae Dobbs - MI - 5* - .9937 - 6-4/270 - Visited - I think he's an OG - Sparty lean
2. Kenyon Green - TX - 5* ..... .9922 - 6-5/315 - OFFER - aTm lean
3. Darnell Wright - WV - 5* ... .9875 - 6-6/290 - Followed - OSU lean
4. Pierce Quick - AL - 5* ....... .9847 - 6-5/285 - Bama Commit
5. Tyler Johnson - TX - 4* ..... .9806 - 6-5/308 - UT lean
6. Xavier Truss - RI - 4* ........ .9751 - 6-7/325 - PSU lean


Most Offered OT:

1. Quinn Carroll - MN -- 4* - OFFER - 6-6/290 - Offers = 35 / 33 are P5's
2. John Olmstead - NJ - 4* - OFFER - 6-6/290 .............. 34 / 30
3. Wayna Morris - GA -- 4* - ............ 6-5/270 .............. 21 / 21
4. Kenyon Green - TX -- 5* - OFFER . 6-5/315 .............. 22 / 20
5. Micheal Tarquin - FL - 4*.............. 6-5/290 .............. 20 / 18
6. Darnell Wright - WV - 5* .............. 6-6/290 .............. 18 / 17


ND's Current Board:

1a. Quinn Carroll
1b. John Olmstead
3. Bryce Benhart ... MN - 4* - OFFER - 6-7/285
4. Andrew Kristofic - PA - 3* - OFFER - 6-5/260 - Phil J's teammate
5. Kenyon Green
6. Tyler Johnson


Regional Prospects to watch:

1. Trevor Keegan - IL - 4* - 6-6/310
2. Nick Broeker - IL - 3* - 6-5/270
3. JJ Guedet - IL - 3* - 6-8/250
4. Ryan Jacoby - OH - 4* - 6-5/270
5. Tanner Bowles - KY - 4* - 6-5/280
6. Jacob Dean - MI -UR - 6-8/315


The Next 6 to Know:

1. Carter Colquitt - GA - 3* ............ 6-6/300 ... Aub/Van/UM/MSU offers
tie:
2a Michael Tarquin - FL - 4* .......... 6-5/290 ... OSU/OU/Clem
2b. Stacey Wilkins - AR - 3* ............ 6-7/280 ... Ark v. OU
3. Chris Akporghene - 3* - GA/IMG - 6-5/285 ... Duke/FL/UM/Yale
4. Donavan Beaver - VA - 3* .......... 6-6/275 ... VT/UVa/MD
5. Jack Conley - CT - 3* ................. 6-7/315 ... BC/UVa/Rut
tie:
6a Jeremy James - GA - 3* ............. 6-5/305 ... Duke/Neb/NCSt
6b Jake Pope - FL - 3* .................... 6-7/275 ... VT/MSU/NCSt


Crusader's Crew - Best fits for ND:

1a. Quinn Carroll
1b. John Olmstead
3. Andrew Kristofic - Phil J's LT. What makes more sense? OSU/Clem/Wis offers - Pitt legacy.
4. Logan Brown - MI - 4* - 6-6/285 - Wiscy Commit - Coach is an ND fan, teammate of Mazi Smith - Visited 3x.
5. Joe Tippmann - IN - 4* - 6-6/285 - FW kid, Wiscy Commit - If ND calls, he'll listen.
6. Josh Plohr - MO - 3* - 6-6/270 - Remember this guy. From StL Christian Bros - Great film - Very athletic

 

[jspags10pg]

Wonder if we try to get back in it with Will Putnam with Quinn at the helm of the OL. I know he was pretty bummed about not getting the ND offer and I think he also moved but maybe Quinn can get us back in with him.

 

[CIrishWin]

Is the main focus of the 2019 class going to be the O and D line.

 

[arrowryan]

Is the main focus of the 2019 class going to be the O and D line.

yes

 

[zelezo vlk]

yes

And punter

 

[PANDFAN]

elite running backs

 

[connor_in]

Thanks NDC for doing this, but put the energy drink down and get some sleep dude. 3:00am and 3:03am? That's crazy man.

 

[BobbyMac]

I was working to Midnight my time last night and this was a copy paste job anywho. Then slept in till 4am and back to the grind. Too many damn time zones on this rock.

 

[CIrishWin]

I figure we are taking 25 every year so..

1 QB
2 RB
2 WR
1 TE
4 OL
3 DE
4 DT
2 LB
2 CB
2 S
1 P

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

elite running backs

This along with elite OL/DL.

Everything else is a bonus but we need those positions above.

 

[IrishLion]

The DL haul is shaping up nicely in terms of SDE/DT. Elite, even, with the quality and number of guys interested that will all be takes.

The problem is WDE... NEED MOAR PASS RUSHERS.

A few of these SDE/DT's will be able to generate push from the interior on third down... but we need some hosscats that can get around the edge, dip, rip, and wreak havoc on the opposing QB.

Nana Osafo-Mensah would be a reallllly nice get, but we probably need another pure pass-rusher alongside him... who do we have a legit shot at?

Brandon Smith from VA? Tosh and Bama pressing for him will be a tough battle, especially with Urban/pOSU and Franklin/PSU looming as well.

Zach Harrison? I know we're supposed to have a legit shot, but I don't buy it. Elite, 5-star DE in Ohio with his top-4 being midwest schools? I don't think he's leaving the state.

TL;DR
I'm very pessimistic about ND's current WDE situation in recruiting, and an impact WDE is an immediate need in '19, unless Ovie or Justin A. end up being the truth right away.

 

[snoopdog]

Need two OT's at least 1 Center and one Guard.

after Mustipher and Bars leaves next seasons POSSIBLE starters

Eichenberg Kraemer Hainsey Banks Lugg

Key Back ups are best positioned at Guard

Rhuland (if he comes Back)
Dirksen
Patterson (maybe a center)
Gibbons
Jones (possible RT)

Therefore focus on getting Two elite OT's and a quality interior lineman who could be either a future starting G or C....and another high 3 star body who may develop into a star

 

[ResLife Hero]

Need two OT's at least 1 Center and one Guard.

after Mustipher and Bars leaves next seasons POSSIBLE starters

Eichenberg Kraemer Hainsey Banks Lugg

Key Back ups are best positioned at Guard

Rhuland (if he comes Back)
Dirksen
Patterson (maybe a center)
Gibbons
Jones (possible RT)

Therefore focus on getting Two elite OT's and a quality interior lineman who could be either a future starting G or C....and another high 3 star body who may develop into a star

Ruhland would likely slide into that starting center role. He was our 2nd stringer last year behind Mustipher. Also, I think 1 of Mabry/Dirksen is supposed to be a tackle for us, and one of the podcasts this week said Jones could also play center which frees up Patterson.

 

[Irish#1]

And punter

This. Please find a punter that can kick the living crap out of the ball. Nothing personal against Tyler, but his punting has been a disappointment IMO.

 

[zelezo vlk]

This. Please find a punter that can kick the living crap out of the ball. Nothing personal against Tyler, but his punting has been a disappointment IMO.

I'm pretty sure he's gone after 2018 anyways. Heck, depending on how the staff feels about Doerer, they might want a kicker since Yoon will be gone too

 

[Luckylucci]

The DL haul is shaping up nicely in terms of SDE/DT. Elite, even, with the quality and number of guys interested that will all be takes.

The problem is WDE... NEED MOAR PASS RUSHERS.

A few of these SDE/DT's will be able to generate push from the interior on third down... but we need some hosscats that can get around the edge, dip, rip, and wreak havoc on the opposing QB.

Nana Osafo-Mensah would be a reallllly nice get, but we probably need another pure pass-rusher alongside him... who do we have a legit shot at?

Brandon Smith from VA? Tosh and Bama pressing for him will be a tough battle, especially with Urban/pOSU and Franklin/PSU looming as well.

Zach Harrison? I know we're supposed to have a legit shot, but I don't buy it. Elite, 5-star DE in Ohio with his top-4 being midwest schools? I don't think he's leaving the state.

TL;DR
I'm very pessimistic about ND's current WDE situation in recruiting, and an impact WDE is an immediate need in '19, unless Ovie or Justin A. end up being the truth right away.

So I see this come up a lot. More than likely this is a 2020 problem for WDE. Why would either Justin A or Ovie been needed right away?

The 18' class will be going into Junior seasons when Okwara and Hayes are gone. Anybody that we bring in, in this class, even if "elite" will more than likely only get spotty snaps for the 19' season behind Okwara and Hayes. I would agree that it's imperative that we land a player that will be able to be productive as a Sophmore, when Okwara and Hayes leave. Bringing in a haul of Nana and a project WDE, would put the depth chart at Wardlow (senior), Ovie/Justin A. (Juniors), Nana (Sophomore), project (Sophomore). Nana playing 60-70% of snaps as a sophomore is probably the trajectory he'll want to be on.


I'm much more concerned with SDE, but it doesn't seem to get talked about as it's not as sexy of a position.

At this point we only have ADE O with elgibility behind Kareem and Jay Hayes. Which makes the 19' season a 2 deep of Kareem and Ade O. That's much more concerning to me than Okwara/Hayes (seniors) and Wardlow (Junior)

 

[ResLife Hero]

So I see this come up a lot. More than likely this is a 2020 problem for WDE. Why would either Justin A or Ovie been needed right away?

The 18' class will be going into Junior seasons when Okwara and Hayes are gone. Anybody that we bring in, in this class, even if "elite" will more than likely only get spotty snaps for the 19' season behind Okwara and Hayes. I would agree that it's imperative that we land a player that will be able to be productive as a Sophmore, when Okwara and Hayes leave. Bringing in a haul of Nana and a project WDE, would put the depth chart at Wardlow (senior), Ovie/Justin A. (Juniors), Nana (Sophomore), project (Sophomore). Nana playing 60-70% of snaps as a sophomore is probably the trajectory he'll want to be on.


I'm much more concerned with SDE, but it doesn't seem to get talked about as it's not as sexy of a position.

At this point we only have ADE O with elgibility behind Kareem and Jay Hayes. Which makes the 19' season a 2 deep of Kareem and Ade O. That's much more concerning to me than Okwara/Hayes (seniors) and Wardlow (Junior)

Is the Ovie move set in stone? I didn't listen to all the post-NSD interviews so maybe Elston or Lea said that. If he has moved to WDE, then why wouldn't we swing Justin over to SDE and solve both problems? He seems to have a pretty thick frame.

In general, I agree though. SDE is a little scary.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Is the Ovie move set in stone? I didn't listen to all the post-NSD interviews so maybe Elston or Lea said that. If he has moved to WDE, then why wouldn't we swing Justin over to SDE and solve both problems? He seems to have a pretty thick frame.

In general, I agree though. SDE is a little scary.

It's not, but it's been projected since he first committed if he can put on the weight and grow a little bit. As of now, he'll be tried at Rover and Buck per ISD's podcast of interviews

 

[greyhammer90]

I can't rep Crusader so someone do it for me. He puts a lot of work into this stuff and its evident.

 

[NDMIA]

The DL haul is shaping up nicely in terms of SDE/DT. Elite, even, with the quality and number of guys interested that will all be takes.

The problem is WDE... NEED MOAR PASS RUSHERS.

A few of these SDE/DT's will be able to generate push from the interior on third down... but we need some hosscats that can get around the edge, dip, rip, and wreak havoc on the opposing QB.

Nana Osafo-Mensah would be a reallllly nice get, but we probably need another pure pass-rusher alongside him... who do we have a legit shot at?

Brandon Smith from VA? Tosh and Bama pressing for him will be a tough battle, especially with Urban/pOSU and Franklin/PSU looming as well.

Zach Harrison? I know we're supposed to have a legit shot, but I don't buy it. Elite, 5-star DE in Ohio with his top-4 being midwest schools? I don't think he's leaving the state.

TL;DR
I'm very pessimistic about ND's current WDE situation in recruiting, and an impact WDE is an immediate need in '19, unless Ovie or Justin A. end up being the truth right away.

WDE Board

OFFERS
.9986 5* Kayvon Thibodeaux - CA - FAR - Never Visited
.9982 5* Zach Harrison - OH - 4h15m - 11/19/16 & 4/2/17 & 6/24/17 & 11/18/17
.9800 4* Brandon Smith - VA - FAR - 6/23/17
.9558 4* Nana Osafo-Mensah - TX - FAR - 1/27/18
.9496 4* Khris Bogle - FL - FAR - Never Visited
.9417 4* Joseph Wete - DC - FAR - Never Visited
.9402 4* Joshua Pakola - CA - FAR - Never Visited
.9398 4* Jason Bargy - IL - 2h5m - 4/2/17
.9116 4* Curtis Fann - GA - FAR - Never Visited
.8937 4* Marcus Hicks - KS - FAR - 6/24/17 & 11/18/17

REGIONAL NON-OFFERS/VISITING NON-OFFERS
.9685 4* Stephon Herron Jr - KY - 4h15m - 6/18/16 & 9/17/16 (MICHIGAN)
.9192 4* Ani Izuchukwu - TN - 6h30m - Never Visited
.9161 4* Beau Robbins - IN - 2h15m - 4/21/17 & 11/4/17
.9154 4* Casey Kline - AZ - FAR - 11/18/17
.8822 3* JJ Weaver - KY - 4h30m - 4/2/17 & 9/9/17

I do think WDE has the biggest need for talent because of the impending departures of Dealin Hayes and Julian Okwara. I think DT & SDE recruiting are dynamite so far.

Above is a list of guys offered and then guys who are around ND or far but have visited and are interested. I think ND flat out leads for Nana Osafo-Mensah which would be an amazing start to the position of need. Then there are a lot of more questionable recruits on that board.

Thibodeaux probably doesn't leave the west coast (unless he comes on a visit with his 2 other offered teammates and loves it), Harrison is probably a lock for Urban Meyer (but do you think he's not interested in ND he would have visited 4 times??), Brandon Smith I think we have a legit shot at because he loves Lea and loved his visit, Joseph Wete had great things to say about ND and hopefully makes it up for a visit this spring/summer, Bargy doesn't have his academics in order to be a take, Curtis Fann wants to take a visit, and Marcus Hicks has visited twice while he lives 11h30m away (I know he's a OU lean but maybe he wants a little academics in his life). Point is, ND doesn't flat out lead with any of those guys, but they aren't committed elsewhere and ND definitely has interest from a lot of these prospects.

As for the non-offered guys, Stephen Herron Jr is a dynamite prospect and has been offered by all of the big time academic programs in the country and is committed to Michigan. It is beyond me how ND has not offered the kid, but for what its worth Clark Lea follows him and maybe ND circles back now that he's in charge. Ani Izuchukwu goes to a pretty damn good academic private school in Nashville, has all the follows from almost the entire staff, but no offer...Looks like he'll head to a football factory in the next few weeks. Beau Robbins is followed by Elston & BK, is a childhood fan of ND, is a 4* on all 3 recruiting sites, and sits idly by as the offer doesn't come (I do think he was a little overrated by the sites tbh, but he's worth a look). Casey Kline falls into the Beau Robbins category of huge ND fan and flew up here with his whole family. He's an athletic ATH who plays different positions, projects probably as a WDE or LBer, is a 4* on every service, but has little to no interest from the staff. Lastly, I'd mention future 4* JJ Weaver who's a solid pass rusher who's 6'6'' and athletic, is a little over 4 hours away from ND, and is followed by BK & Elston.

I think the dream scenario would be to land the multitude of SDE & DT's that ND is in play with so then they can focus on the one last position of need along the DLine. I think ND is in great shape for 2019 DL recruiting!

 

[Ndaccountant]

Maybe it is just me, but I think the value of a WDE is being overstated. Yes, there is value of having a "speed" rusher. But the quantity and quality of the players being mentioned at DT and SDE is Bama like. What makes Bama's D so good is that they control the LOS, put you in obvious passing downs and generate pressure with push and blitzes from all over. I believe their DB's had more sacks last year (7) than all of ND LB's. They can generate that type of pressure because they can push the LOS backwards, their safeties are reliable and their LB's can cover.

When I look at ND's defensive recruiting the past cycles and what they are targeting in 2019, I see the ability and flexibility of the defense growing. That, in turn, relieves the necessity of generating huge pass rush from the WDE. So for me, if ND has a chance to pull in all those big boys at the expense of WDE, I wouldn't bat an eye.

 

[dublinirish]

Maybe it is just me, but I think the value of a WDE is being overstated. Yes, there is value of having a "speed" rusher. But the quantity and quality of the players being mentioned at DT and SDE is Bama like. What makes Bama's D so good is that they control the LOS, put you in obvious passing downs and generate pressure with push and blitzes from all over. I believe their DB's had more sacks last year (7) than all of ND LB's. They can generate that type of pressure because they can push the LOS backwards, their safeties are reliable and their LB's can cover.

When I look at ND's defensive recruiting the past cycles and what they are targeting in 2019, I see the ability and flexibility of the defense growing. That, in turn, relieves the necessity of generating huge pass rush from the WDE. So for me, if ND has a chance to pull in all those big boys at the expense of WDE, I wouldn't bat an eye.

you have elite cover DB's like Bama then elite pass rushers aren't as needful. Even average rushers will get to the QB when nobody can get open downfield

 

[Ndaccountant]

you have elite cover DB's like Bama then elite pass rushers aren't as needful. Even average rushers will get to the QB when nobody can get open downfield

Exactly. The DB/LB haul last year was really strong. You follow that up with the potential DT/SDE names being mentioned, you don't need 8 sacks from WDE to be effective.

 

[Luckylucci]

Is the Ovie move set in stone? I didn't listen to all the post-NSD interviews so maybe Elston or Lea said that. If he has moved to WDE, then why wouldn't we swing Justin over to SDE and solve both problems? He seems to have a pretty thick frame.

In general, I agree though. SDE is a little scary.

No, not at all. The conversation around NSD was that he's starting at Buck/Rover. It's just been speculation for awhile that with what he does best and his physical growth, he could turn into a Drop candidate down the road.

Probably a long way to go before he's an every down Drop, but I could see situations where you move the 3T to 1T, SDE to 3T, WDE to SDE, and Ovie to Drop. Obvious passing downs of course.

 

[IrishLion]

So I see this come up a lot. More than likely this is a 2020 problem for WDE. Why would either Justin A or Ovie been needed right away?

The 18' class will be going into Junior seasons when Okwara and Hayes are gone. Anybody that we bring in, in this class, even if "elite" will more than likely only get spotty snaps for the 19' season behind Okwara and Hayes. I would agree that it's imperative that we land a player that will be able to be productive as a Sophmore, when Okwara and Hayes leave. Bringing in a haul of Nana and a project WDE, would put the depth chart at Wardlow (senior), Ovie/Justin A. (Juniors), Nana (Sophomore), project (Sophomore). Nana playing 60-70% of snaps as a sophomore is probably the trajectory he'll want to be on.


I'm much more concerned with SDE, but it doesn't seem to get talked about as it's not as sexy of a position.

At this point we only have ADE O with elgibility behind Kareem and Jay Hayes. Which makes the 19' season a 2 deep of Kareem and Ade O. That's much more concerning to me than Okwara/Hayes (seniors) and Wardlow (Junior)

I'm following you on the "WDE isn't quite that pressing" logic based on numbers, but the point of my post was stated poorly and I didn't give it enough focus: Even if we have numbers, we didn't have a true high-impact guy in either of the last two classes at WDE. That's a problem that will get ugly with any unplanned attrition over the next two years. We need guys that can generate pressure without extra help from the LB's/DB's. Thankfully, Kareem and Okwara both showed that ability as '17 progressed, but we need some sure-thing pass rushers in these next two recruiting classes, not just project guys.

As for SDE, I'm not as worried because ND has had no problem recruiting quality SDE's over the past three or four classes, like they do with impact pass-rushers. Even if Hunter Spears grows into a DT, he's a guy with enough flexibility that he could be an early-down SDE in our base set if we needed it, and ND trends well overall with more SDE's in the '19 class than they do WDE's.

 

[NDdomer2]

Man i just dont see Ovie at WDE. That dude looked half the size of Lamb and Bauer in the NSD interview.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Man i just dont see Ovie at WDE. That dude looked half the size of Lamb and Bauer in the NSD interview.

I guess there's also been talk of Lamb possibly growing into a Drop.

 

[Luckylucci]

I'm following you on the "WDE isn't quite that pressing" logic based on numbers, but the point of my post was stated poorly and I didn't give it enough focus: Even if we have numbers, we didn't have a true high-impact guy in either of the last two classes at WDE. That's a problem that will get ugly with any unplanned attrition over the next two years. We need guys that can generate pressure without extra help from the LB's/DB's. Thankfully, Kareem and Okwara both showed that ability as '17 progressed, but we need some sure-thing pass rushers in these next two recruiting classes, not just project guys.
As for SDE, I'm not as worried because ND has had no problem recruiting quality SDE's over the past three or four classes, like they do with impact pass-rushers. Even if Hunter Spears grows into a DT, he's a guy with enough flexibility that he could be an early-down SDE in our base set if we needed it, and ND trends well overall with more SDE's in the '19 class than they do WDE's.

Yea, I just don't follow this. Two classes ago we signed the #133 and the #301 overall OLB/WDE. Those two combined, as sophomores, for 10.5 TFL's and 5.5 sacks. I think that's pretty good, I'd expect another jump for both.

Also, why would we be worried about "sure fire" pass rushers, when arguably our best pass rusher, Julian Okwara, was rated #301. So if we land a similar group this cycle to that cycle. Fringe top 100 WDE and fringe top 250 WDE, is that not enough? That's basically what we'll be on pace for. Nana and project WDE.

I guess, I just see no immediate need in 18' or 19', as those players will more than likely not be beating out the Okwara/Hayes combo. And if in 2020 we have a couple of sophomores producing like Okwara/Hayes did last year, then we're probably going to be just fine. Also, this is completely discounting getting anything from Kofi Wardlow, who similarly to DJ Brown, was very productive in HS against some pretty good competition.

I agree that we need to add talent in this class, but on February 14th of 2018, I really don't see this as troublesome.

 

[IrishLion]

Yea, I just don't follow this. Two classes ago we signed the #133 and the #301 overall OLB/WDE. Those two combined, as sophomores, for 10.5 TFL's and 5.5 sacks. I think that's pretty good, I'd expect another jump for both.

Also, why would we be worried about "sure fire" pass rushers, when arguably our best pass rusher, Julian Okwara, was rated #301. So if we land a similar group this cycle to that cycle. Fringe top 100 WDE and fringe top 250 WDE, is that not enough? That's basically what we'll be on pace for. Nana and project WDE.

I guess, I just see no immediate need in 18' or 19', as those players will more than likely not be beating out the Okwara/Hayes combo. And if in 2020 we have a couple of sophomores producing like Okwara/Hayes did last year, then we're probably going to be just fine. Also, this is completely discounting getting anything from Kofi Wardlow, who similarly to DJ Brown, was very productive in HS against some pretty good competition.

I agree that we need to add talent in this class, but on February 14th of 2018, I really don't see this as troublesome.

I'm talking about the '17 and '18 classes. We don't have a true impact WDE in either class, based on what we currently know. I'll be happy if Wardlow develops into a future starter after Hayes/Okwara are gone, or if Ovie/Justin A. are the answers we're looking for when they step in as juniors. There is time for development.

But that's what makes me nervous... you're counting on avoiding attrition AND counting on someone to develop above their projections. I'd like to see ND mitigate any potential issues by landing a couple of highly-rated WDE's that we KNOW can generate pass-rush on their own, that's all.

I am not "down" on our classes in '17 and '18, but one of the criticisms of both classes post-NSD was, "we missed on an impact pass rusher. Would've made the class perfect."

I get nervous when we're talking about missing on a specific type of player two classes in a row... that's how you create holes in your roster if any unplanned attrition occurs.