2023 - State of the Recruiting Class

[BobbyMac]

Let's start off this thread with some CB picks.

Drayk Bowen - LB
Brennan Wooten - TE
Carnell Tate - WR

Not a CB but a fact: The 2023 QB commit's last name is below:

Brown
Murphy
Lonergan
Loftis

 

[NDIrish88]

Anyone have a sense of what 2023 OL recruiting is right now? It seems the defense is taking shape nicely at all levels, but OL seems to be muddy to me.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

Anyone have a sense of what 2023 OL recruiting is right now? It seems the defense is taking shape nicely at all levels, but OL seems to be muddy to me.

Based on reading some of these threads, expect OL recruiting, and the OL in general, to continue to be absolute crap...

 

[dad4aa]

When the hell did Irish Envy become ND Nation 2.0???

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

When the hell did Irish Envy become ND Nation 2.0???

That's what happens when a team collapses and starts the season *checks notes* 3-0.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

When the hell did Irish Envy become ND Nation 2.0???

Not on my watch! Saw that post this morning and resolved to bump it every time we land a 4-star+ OL recruit in the 2023 class.

The boo birds can FOH. It's like the last four years didn't happen for them.

 

[317Irish]

Not on my watch! Saw that post this morning and resolved to bump it every time we land a 4-star+ OL recruit in the 2023 class.

The boo birds can FOH. It's like the last four years didn't happen for them.

It’s not that they didn’t happen, they just would have been a lot better if it weren’t for Ian Book…

 

[Luckylucci]

Can't say I've got into 2023 OL recruiting much but here's some thoughts so far. I'm sure others can fill in the blanks.

Both Rivals and 247 national analysts have recently said that ND is in a good early position for Proctor and Freeling. So, those would seem to be the top OT's at the moment. IOL seems like it's Bisontis and Green. Both visited and both seemed to really like ND early. Then you also have a local 4 star prospect who's been offered in Charles Jagusah. Haven't read too much about him though. Other names that have offers and have visited but could be tough pulls are Josh Padilla and Harris Sewell.

I think new OL offers will have to go out for both '22 and '23. Next year will begin a bit of a reset on the roster. Most of that will come from what's on campus (Fisher, Spindler, Alt, Carmody, and Baker). I think we should feel pretty good about that group for the future. I could see Kristofic sticking around if he can win RG spot. And then obviously Correll. But it would seem like all of Carroll, Lugg, Madden, Patterson, and Dirksen are gone for various reasons. At this point, we're only adding Craig, Chan, and Tanona in '22. So, certainly more work needed. It's just whether they come in '22 or '23. I could see them punt to '23 if they don't like enough of the guys in '22. Though I really do think Jalen Klemm could be a solid late addition to '22.

 

[SBirishlawyer]

I think we desperately need at least one more high upside big body for 2022 or we are getting numbers low on the depth chart.

 

[BrownerandFry]

When the hell did Irish Envy become ND Nation 2.0???

Well, I don't agree with that.

there are many objective positive posts here, but when some whiner posts something outrageous and inflammatory posters extend its life by responding to it.

My experience in life is that ignorant people go away if they are ignored. Completely.

 

[Dale]

Some 2023 guys for UC:

Malik Muhammad
Sonny Styles
Monroe Freeling
Drayk Bowen
Carnell Tate
Dante Moore
Samuel M’Pemba
Luke Montgomery
Jalen Brown

Maybe one of the most elite assembly of juniors we’ve ever had for a non USC game

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

I usually try not to get invested in recruiting but the 247 composite rankings for that list is eye popping:

8
14
16
24
28
58
59
70
98

 

[NDIrish88]

Some 2023 guys for UC:

Malik Muhammad
Sonny Styles
Monroe Freeling
Drayk Bowen
Carnell Tate
Dante Moore
Samuel M’Pemba
Luke Montgomery
Jalen Brown

Maybe one of the most elite assembly of juniors we’ve ever had for a non USC game

Woa mama. That's a hefty visit list.

 

[BrownerandFry]

Right now, would you take this as the 2023 Defensive recruiting class?

Adon Shuler
Peyton Bowen

Christian Gray
Justyn Rhett
Micah Tease

Drayk Bowen
Tamere Robinson
Preston Zinter
Troy Ford

Keon Keeley
Brenan Vernon
Luke Montgomery
Samuel M'Pemba

Sydir Mitchell as insurance policy if Montgomery goes to Columbus

 

[Irish4life]

Right now, would you take this as the 2023 Defensive recruiting class?

Adon Shuler
Peyton Bowen

Christian Gray
Justyn Rhett
Micah Tease

Drayk Bowen
Tamere Robinson
Preston Zinter
Troy Ford

Keon Keeley
Brenan Vernon
Luke Montgomery
Samuel M'Pemba

Sydir Mitchell as insurance policy if Montgomery goes to Columbus

24/7, 365. That'd be an incredible 2023 defensive class.

 

[rtrn2glory]

Montgomery is going to be much better on offense college. I don't see it on defense.

 

[NDIrish88]

Right now, would you take this as the 2023 Defensive recruiting class?

Adon Shuler
Peyton Bowen

Christian Gray
Justyn Rhett
Micah Tease

Drayk Bowen
Tamere Robinson
Preston Zinter
Troy Ford

Keon Keeley
Brenan Vernon
Luke Montgomery
Samuel M'Pemba

Sydir Mitchell as insurance policy if Montgomery goes to Columbus

I like it, BUT I think I am on the fence on Troy Ford and Zinter. I haven't watched their film so I am unsure on them. That DB class is excellent.

 

[BrownerandFry]

I like it, BUT I think I am on the fence on Troy Ford and Zinter. I haven't watched their film so I am unsure on them. That DB class is excellent.

Fair enough, as our question is hypothetical. So if signing day 2022 arrives and we have discovered and signed upgrades over Zinter and Ford, well, I will send you a bottle of cyber champagne.

But the staff has been dialed in on Zinter for a while. And every time I think of linebackers I remember the skepticism about Jack Kiser when he was recruited. We shall see.

 

[NDIrish88]

Fair enough, as our question is hypothetical. So if signing day 2022 arrives and we have discovered and signed upgrades over Zinter and Ford, well, I will send you a bottle of cyber champagne.

But the staff has been dialed in on Zinter for a while. And every time I think of linebackers I remember the skepticism about Jack Kiser when he was recruited. We shall see.

I have recently watched both of their films and my conclusion is they would be fine takes IF we can't find upgrades. I think Troy Ford is a bit of a liability in coverage. I think Zinter is the better of the two, but would need to see more film of him playing a pure LB spot. Plays D on the line mostly.

 

[NDisme]

I feel like each year starts out “oh you thought last year was good, just wait until next class” and am waiting for us to have a truly game changing class, and while I think it will still be very good, losing on Styles, and IMO Tate trending OSU, Harris was hot on ND now not, Proctor might follow X wherever he goes etc.Just seems like agiain we are going to grab a good class but not the phenomenal one we need. Hope I’m wrong.

 

[Dale]

I feel like each year starts out “oh you thought last year was good, just wait until next class” and am waiting for us to have a truly game changing class, and while I think it will still be very good, losing on Styles, and IMO Tate trending OSU, Harris was hot on ND now not, Proctor might follow X wherever he goes etc.Just seems like agiain we are going to grab a good class but not the phenomenal one we need. Hope I’m wrong.

Rankings can certainly change but 2023 does already have 3 commits in the Top 100 compared to 2 in 2022. So the slowed momentum is a matter of not adding 2, 3 more 5 stars to a class that actually already is exceeding 2022 in that specific regard

 

[NDisme]

Rankings can certainly change but 2023 does already have 3 commits in the Top 100 compared to 2 in 2022. So the slowed momentum is a matter of not adding 2, 3 more 5 stars to a class that actually already is exceeding 2022 in that specific regard

I certainly can’t complain about the start, although I think we will continue to see Vernon’S rank slip. Just IMO for this to be a phenomenal class it would have included Styles, Tate, Harris, Moore(still possibility) and some others, again this class could be great. Just seems like we are starting the same cycle we do every year. “This class is going to be the one” and it slowly just loses momentum. Again if we have 2 top 10 classes in a row. Not much to complain about.

 

[Dale]

I certainly can’t complain about the start, although I think we will continue to see Vernon’S rank slip. Just IMO for this to be a phenomenal class it would have included Styles, Tate, Harris, Moore(still possibility) and some others, again this class could be great. Just seems like we are starting the same cycle we do every year. “This class is going to be the one” and it slowly just loses momentum. Again if we have 2 top 10 classes in a row. Not much to complain about.

That class would in competition for one of the best recruiting classes of all time lol. I think there’s a middle ground we likely finish in

 

[Trait Expectations]

I certainly can’t complain about the start, although I think we will continue to see Vernon’S rank slip. Just IMO for this to be a phenomenal class it would have included Styles, Tate, Harris, Moore(still possibility) and some others, again this class could be great. Just seems like we are starting the same cycle we do every year. “This class is going to be the one” and it slowly just loses momentum. Again if we have 2 top 10 classes in a row. Not much to complain about.

You think we lost momentum this year? We still have a chance to finish strong and finish in the top 5-8 which is a fantastic class. I feel like the 22 class might be the best class of Kelly's tenure and last year's early returns are very strong. We are stockpiling the necessary talent to compete, could really use a game changing QB and a couple more players to emerge.

 

[NDisme]

You think we lost momentum this year? We still have a chance to finish strong and finish in the top 5-8 which is a fantastic class. I feel like the 22 class might be the best class of Kelly's tenure and last year's early returns are very strong. We are stockpiling the necessary talent to compete, could really use a game changing QB and a couple more players to emerge.

I understand that this might be the highest rated class in Kelly era, if we add Schrauth and Nwankpa I can’t complain. But that’s what we need to go to that next level and for the most part each year we fall short IMO.

 

[NDisme]

That class would in competition for one of the best recruiting classes of all time lol. I think there’s a middle ground we likely finish in

I understand that but I am not just pulling names out of a hat of Top 100 players, these are all guys that have been to campus multiple times and that we’ve been told we have a shot at.

 

[Trait Expectations]

I understand that this might be the highest rated class in Kelly era, if we add Schrauth and Nwankpa I can’t complain. But that’s what we need to go to that next level and for the most part each year we fall short IMO.

We need Schrauth and Nwankpa to go to another level? So we are definitely falling short of going to another level if we don't sign them? I'm just curious about the calculus for what the "next level" requires. It sounds like you need a top 3 class to go to the next level?

We've averaged somewhere around 12th over the past 5 years if i remember correctly. Moving up to an average of 7th-9th would be a big time move and the staff is evaluating talent at a very high level where the returns outpace the rankings. These are verifiable metrics: just compare recruiting class rankings to number of wins and NFL drafted prospects. Combine those two in some kind of weighted average. It's really incredible how few 5 stars we get and how many players we still put in the NFL.

I just don't buy the narrative that we always need 1 or 2 players to make or break the trajectory of the program. Every indicator is pointing up.

Better recruiting across the board, even our "weak" positions have gotten better with this class compared to historical
We lost 9 players to the NFL and we've lost our breakout star LB (Marist), our AA safety (Hamilton), we've been down to a 4th string LT, lost two other LBs to season-ending injury, our returning starter Mike is playing injured, we've shuffled QBs and had one of the worst OLs to start the season and we're sitting at 9-1 with the best recruiting class in a decade. On the heels of a really strong class prior.

We're making a move, even if you can't see it.

 

[Dale]

I understand that but I am not just pulling names out of a hat of Top 100 players, these are all guys that have been to campus multiple times and that we’ve been told we have a shot at.

Never said they were random and Sonny was definitely a blow, but again there is a middle ground between 5 stars at almost every level, one of the greatest recruiting classes of all time, hit on every guy you want and this is gonna be just like any other good year.

 

[NDPhilly]

Really can't complain about an average recruit rank of ~92. It's tough to imagine ND being able to consistently recruit better than that level. 4 straight classes at 2021's level + a high caliber QB should be enough for a NC quality team. Clemson and LSU didn't have that much talent with Watson, Lawrence as a freshman, or Burrow.

Another issue for ND is that high-end talent has become way more concentrated at the highest levels then with Georgia. Bama, and OSU all at 93+ in composite average recruit ranking. According to 247, BOTH 2021 Bama and Georgia are the most "talented" teams since they've began tracking, with OSU close behind.

Likely an unintended consequence of a 4 team playoff. I'm not an expansion guy, but the talent concentration is as good of a reason as any to consider a change.

 

[BrownerandFry]

So, it does not appear we have an entry for Boubacar Traore on the '23 list. what is the 411 on that.