2020 - State of the Recruiting Class thread

[BobbyMac]

Swiped this format off of SI's site:

Most likely to play as a freshman

Offense: TE Michael Mayer / RB Chris Tyree
Defense: DE Jordan Botelho

Highest Ceiling

Offense: OT Tosh Baker
Defense: DE Jordan Botelho

Highest Floor

Offense: TE Michael Mayer
Defense: DE Jordan Botelho

Best Athlete

Offense: RB Chris Tyree
Defense: CB Ramon Henderson

Most Powerful

Offense: OT Michael Carmody
Defense: DT Rylie Mills

Most Important Commit(s)

Offense: Baker/Tyree/Johnson/Mayer
Defense: DE Jordan Botelho

Most Underrated

Offense: WR Xavier Watts
Defense: CB Clarence Lewis

Most Likely To Be A Captain

Offense: Baker / Mayer
Defense: Rylie Mills

Most Likely To Be An All-American

Offense: Baker / Mayer
Defense: DE Jordan Botelho

Highest Draft Pick

Offense: OT Tosh Baker
Defense: DE Jordan Botelho

Biggest Miss

Offense: Pete Skoronski (NW) / Jonah Monheim (SC)
Defense: Lathan Ransom (OSU) / Jalen Kimber (UGa)

 

[irishtrain]

In keeping with my point from past notes 8 teams had over 35% of the top 300 players-6 sec teams Clemson/Ohio state. We all know the reason why(no problem there) but the stacked deck continues to feed itself. Something is wrong with college football- its not college anymore! In the long run we are really not doing these kids any favors by just running them thru a program giving them bogus degrees and then putting them on the street after football. Hats off to Notre Dame and those other schools trying to compete with college guys. Can you say no fun anymore regarding college football. If not for the Irish I wouldn't even watch it.

 

[ThePiombino]

I never said it wasn't a strong class. Just that the comments BK made didn't help himself.

How do his comments have any impact on the 2020 ranking, though? I'm not understanding. I could see if we were talking about the 2021 class, but 2020?

 

[irishnd31]

I re-read through many posts and can not seem to find what BK "said"? Could someone provide a quick breakdown? Appreciated.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

I re-read through many posts and can not seem to find what BK "said"? Could someone provide a quick breakdown? Appreciated.

Quotes from a pre-bowl presser:

"We've got an outstanding class that we're building on. We want to continue to work on that and we have some things in the works that we want to establish from a recruiting standpoint that changes our, I think view as it relates to national recruiting."

'We want to break out of the 15th ranked or the 10th ranked, and we want to get into that next echelon .... I think we have some things that we're going to implement that will allow us to do that."

Although he is clear that he is separating his comments from the 2020 class, he is inviting people to view ND's recruiting from a rankings perspective.

 

[ThePiombino]

I re-read through many posts and can not seem to find what BK "said"? Could someone provide a quick breakdown? Appreciated.

He basically just said that they're going to make changes necessary to be a top 5-10 recruiting program. Lots of speculation as he was not specific. Regardless, the dye was already cast for 2020 at the time, so I don't see how this year's rankings should have any relevance with regard to that conversation.

 

[Sea Turtle]

In keeping with my point from past notes 8 teams had over 35% of the top 300 players-6 sec teams Clemson/Ohio state. We all know the reason why(no problem there) but the stacked deck continues to feed itself. Something is wrong with college football- its not college anymore! In the long run we are really not doing these kids any favors by just running them thru a program giving them bogus degrees and then putting them on the street after football. Hats off to Notre Dame and those other schools trying to compete with college guys. Can you say no fun anymore regarding college football. If not for the Irish I wouldn't even watch it.

Empires rise and fall. Some rise again. Even Alabama, Ohio State and Clemson will come back down to earth at some point. And will probably rise again at some point

You can't just say 'well we just can't compete with these teams'. Because in a few years, it will be a handful of other teams on top.

You simply have to rise up and beat or really compete with them......therefore, becoming one of the top dogs.

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

2020 class is small but awesome. As some mentioned the average recruit ranking is top 10. It fills big needs with elite talent at the offensive skill positions. Wish we brought end higher level talent at CB but overall solid.

And 2021 could be one of the best classes in the last couple decades.

 

[irishnd31]

Thanks Pops and Piombino. Appreciate it.

 

[NDdomer2]

How do his comments have any impact on the 2020 ranking, though? I'm not understanding. I could see if we were talking about the 2021 class, but 2020?

i think the discussion is more how people perceive the class because of his comments. Maybe folks would be more understanding of our class rating related to its size if he hadnt placed some sky high expectation on himself. Im not sure though.

 

[ThePiombino]

i think the discussion is more how people perceive the class because of his comments. Maybe folks would be more understanding of our class rating related to its size if he hadnt placed some sky high expectation on himself. Im not sure though.

Right, but again -- I took his comments to mean future classes, not the current one. So why would he be held to the coals for the 2020 class based on comments meant for future efforts?

 

[fightingirish26]

BK probably thought every fan was paying as much attention to crooting as we do, and figured we already knew the '20 class was in the bag and he was referring to '21 onward. But he forgot how many simply tune in on signing day and look at the class rank and have little other context.

 

[StPaul_Irish]

BK probably thought every fan was paying as much attention to crooting as we do, and figured we already knew the '20 class was in the bag and he was referring to '21 onward. But he forgot how many simply tune in on signing day and look at the class rank and have little other context.

Like when people bitch on Twitter about BK and how he can't develop QBs only to turn around and ask who our class of 20XX QB is?

 

[stlnd01]

I do think the focus - from Kelly in a press conference - on our actual class rankings is a bit odd. Especially since our classes tend to run smaller than many other programs and those rankings value quantity at least as much as quality. And because we have to prioritize culture and fit more than most, which impacts who we recruit.

I agree we should try to upgrade incoming/recruited talent, especially at certain positions. And it’s good to set goals. But saying we want a Top Five class, essentially for the sake of having a Top Five class, seems to set us up for disappointment unless some things change that are a lot more drastic than how much time BK spends out on the road recruiting.

 

[NDdomer2]

Right, but again -- I took his comments to mean future classes, not the current one. So why would he be held to the coals for the 2020 class based on comments meant for future efforts?

i think he did, but maybe he could have said it yesterday/today after signing day. im not real sure. theres just a number of people who will never be happy with Kelly, and anything they can point to to back up their stance will be used.

 

[ThePiombino]

i think he did, but maybe he could have said it yesterday/today after signing day. im not real sure. theres just a number of people who will never be happy with Kelly, and anything they can point to to back up their stance will be used.

Agreed.

 

[Luckylucci]

i think he did, but maybe he could have said it yesterday/today after signing day. im not real sure. theres just a number of people who will never be happy with Kelly, and anything they can point to to back up their stance will be used.

He said it during bowl prep down in Orlando and that's what makes it so bizarre. Sideline interview post practice, unsolicited. I'm not one to be overly critical of successful individuals decision making in their area of expertise but this was really dumb.

 

[OCIrish]

Empires rise and fall. Some rise again. Even Alabama, Ohio State and Clemson will come back down to earth at some point. And will probably rise again at some point

You can't just say 'well we just can't compete with these teams'. Because in a few years, it will be a handful of other teams on top.

You simply have to rise up and beat or really compete with them......therefore, becoming one of the top dogs.

First thing that came to mind was Southern Cal....I mean, with Petey McCheat there, they were an absolute juggernaut for about 7-8 yrs. Bama is high on that rollercoaster. Saban ever gets burnt out or something medically happens..... they could nosedive in a matter of a couple of years. It takes a special coach to be able to not only coach, but deal with the pressure cooker that is alumni and fans/boosters. I sure as hell wouldn't have the patience for either one.

 

[NDdomer2]

He said it during bowl prep down in Orlando and that's what makes it so bizarre. Sideline interview post practice, unsolicited. I'm not one to be overly critical of successful individuals decision making in their area of expertise but this was really dumb.

Yeah he probably should have never said but if he was going to it def. Wasn't an ideal moment.

 

[FDNYIrish1]

Xavier Arline, PWO offer committed to play football and lacrosse at the Naval Academy.

 

[NDMIA]

So not including the dudes who were supposed to run out of eligibility, ND's at 90 for 2021.

QB - 3
RB - 4
TE - 6
WR - 14
OL - 16
DL - 16
LB - 13
DB - 15
ST - 3
Total - 90

Now for the guys who have their eligibility extended:

7th Year:
Shaun Crawford

6th Year:
Ian Book
Javon McKinley
Ben Skowronek
Liam Eichenberg
Tommy Kraemer
Ade Ogundeji
Daelin Hayes
Nick McCloud

5th Year:
Brock Wright
Robert Hainsey
Kurt Hinish
Jonathan Doerer

For the guys running out of eligibility I don't think many would come back. With them not counting as a scholarship guy maybe they'll all be offered to come back but I also think the staff will be careful not to create logjams at positions where someone might transfer. Right now I could see Hinish, Doerer, and maybe Hainsey coming back and that's probably it. Maybe one of the 6th year dudes will surprise us and come back but I'd bet it won't be many guys.

 

[zelezo vlk]

I could see McKinley, Skow, and maybe McCloud coming back (I think he'd be very welcome), mainly because they all started this year pretty slowly.

Hinish I could see coming back to compete for a ring, but his stock has to be at an all-time high right now.

Oh and I thought it was already confirmed that Doerer says he wants to come back.

Everyone else probably declares, with maybe Wright grad transferring for more snaps.

 

[Legacy]

Another breakdown.

Scholarship Update: So Many Questions a Month Before Early Signing Day
By Eric Murtaugh|November 18th, 2020| (18 Stripes)

Book, Hainsey, Daelin, and Ogundeji all have accepted invitations to the Senior Bowl.

 

[IrishFanJMercy]

I would like to see Hayes, Ogundeji, McCloud, and one of Mckinley or Skowronek come back but regarless we should be loaded at WR next year.

 

[stpeteirish]

So does the Senior Bowl still mean they cannot return to college football?

 

[Riddickulous]

Neither fifth year WR is returning to play with a new, likely first year starting QB.

 

[rtrn2glory]

So does the Senior Bowl still mean they cannot return to college football?

i don't think there's a rule, but it would be nice if the NFL put something in place like the NBA that gave dudes the chance to work out and see their stock and still have the option of returning.

 

[rtrn2glory]

Neither fifth year WR is returning to play with a new, likely first year starting QB.

that was my thinking too. tbh, next year we might take our licks. We gotta pretty tough schedule and with a new starting QB it might be a tough year. i'm hoping whoever wins the spot and improve a ton to get us ready for '22 and '23 with Ohio st on the schedule.

 

[PANDFAN]

So does the Senior Bowl still mean they cannot return to college football?

correct