2023 - State of the Recruiting Class

[Free Manera]

Here is another way to look at it:

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

My Ignore button is really getting some work this week.

 

[Irishdrunk]

My Ignore button is really getting some work this week.

Agreed!

 

[FOTY977]

View attachment 3052357


Bama OSU and UGA always have a ton of five stars. But look at their BCR over the last 4 years. If ND can maintain 80-90% BCR, it looks a lot like those teams.

BCR isn't the be all end all, but it is pretty clear 82% under Freeman vs. 62% under Kelly is a massive difference.

This is what’s very confusing for me — feels like the convo has shifted from “if we can plug the holes, raise the floor on offensive skill, and get a stud QB we can get (closer to) over the hump” via the Clemson model to “we missed on the 5* so we’re effed”. Of course I’m not glad guys flipped, but viewed them more as gravy & putting the program ahead of schedule rather than being core to the program’s trajectory and overall success.

I genuinely feel bad for those looking at the last couple years recruiting (especially in light of the NIL landscape) and can’t find a way to be optimistic or positive at all. Hate it break it to you, but until there are some real structural changes in the sport, these are the “good old days”

 

[Free Manera]

This is what’s very confusing for me — feels like the convo has shifted from “if we can plug the holes, raise the floor on offensive skill, and get a stud QB we can get (closer to) over the hump” via the Clemson model to “we missed on the 5* so we’re effed”. Of course I’m not glad guys flipped, but viewed them more as gravy & putting the program ahead of schedule rather than being core to the program’s trajectory and overall success.

I genuinely feel bad for those looking at the last couple years recruiting (especially in light of the NIL landscape) and can’t find a way to be optimistic or positive at all. Hate it break it to you, but until there are some real structural changes in the sport, these are the “good old days”

I think the most important positions in college football now are QB, WR, CB, and rush end. ND did very well at 3/4 of those this cycle. Vyper is a problem but hopefully it can be plugged via the portal.

With how well ND recruits at O line, they should be able to put up serious points with guys like Greathouse, Flores, Love, and Minchey. That is the first step to winning a playoff game. Taking the air out of the ball and keeping points down isn't an option with how games are officiated these days. Good teams are going to score and you gotta be able to score with them.

 

[INLaw]

I think the most important positions in college football now are QB, WR, CB, and rush end. ND did very well at 3/4 of those this cycle. Vyper is a problem but hopefully it can be plugged via the portal.

With how well ND recruits at O line, they should be able to put up serious points with guys like Greathouse, Flores, Love, and Minchey. That is the first step to winning a playoff game. Taking the air out of the ball and keeping points down isn't an option with how games are officiated these days. Good teams are going to score and you gotta be able to score with them.

Maybe we are just gonna go to a three down base and fuck the vyper position for more of hand down outside linebacker. We got some of those including Zinter in this class

 

[BabyIrish]

I seriously can’t believe some of the bullshit I’m hearing from posters because of the loss Bowen. No instant impact players!?

Flores, James and Greathouse will be playing a ton of snaps next year. Love will play next year.

Christian Grey and Michael Bell will be our 3 and 4th best corners next year behind Morrison and Cam. They’ll play right away. Shuler and Hillman will lock down both safety positions sooner rather than later. Vernon and Hustan will be in the two deep by August.

This is a phenomenal class. I’m excited to see them play and develop.

 

[ACamp1900]

I seriously can’t believe some of the bullshit I’m hearing from posters because of the loss Bowen. No instant impact players!?

I’m sure you’re right,… however this isn’t just Bowen. I was hyped for a legit five star QB, Bowen, Edwards (I pictured another Ricky Watters), and Keely and we lost all of them. No one else really hyped me like the aforementioned. I guess I got into the class at the wrong time. Today just depressed me hard. The Oregon thing was strange enough I laughed it off but him still going to OU afterwards idk,… Trattou ptsd night terrors,… idk. I haven’t thought of JT and that whole fiasco in a long while. Flooded back today.

Anyway, little side point, I see others get down and try to lighten shit up or just let them alone for a few,… I get down and share it in literally like two posts it’s attacks in PM, not so veiled ‘ignore’ threats and calls of bullshit. Ok then,… Like I said I obviously like the class and recognize it’s a good one but I’ll prob never be able to get over what it could have been (transfer QB shit ain’t helping) and will remember it for that,… that’s a me problem but I’m just sharing my feelings… so yeah, sorry.

 

[IrishInMIA]

I actually like this class as is. Would it have been nice to have PB at Safety going into next year? Of course. Is it a prerequisite for our success and a hurdle to our playoff potential? Nope. If we fixed our QB situation, our WR depth and upgraded the talent on the D-Line, we can win today with the guys we have in the secondary. I'm anticipating an improvement in the athleticism, and depth in the linebackers and secondary. That SHOULD improve the sureness in the tackling. And a continued shedding of the old bad habits of the prior staff...things like "traits"... The young guys will play and contribute early.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

I’m sure you’re right,… however this isn’t just Bowen. I was hyped for a legit five star QB, Bowen, Edwards (I pictured another Ricky Watters), and Keely and we lost all of them. No one else really hyped me like the aforementioned. I guess I got into the class at the wrong time. Today just depressed me hard. The Oregon thing was strange enough I laughed it off but him still going to OU afterwards idk,… Trattou ptsd night terrors,… idk. I haven’t thought of JT and that whole fiasco in a long while. Flooded back today.

Anyway, little side point, I see others get down and try to lighten shit up or just let them alone for a few,… I get down and share it in literally like two posts it’s attacks in PM, not so veiled ‘ignore’ threats and calls of bullshit. Ok then,… Like I said I obviously like the class and recognize it’s a good one but I’ll prob never be able to get over what it could have been (transfer QB shit ain’t helping) and will remember it for that,… that’s a me problem but I’m just sharing my feelings… so yeah, sorry.

I've been there man. It sucks. I barely got on here for a few years because of all of it. The more it happens, the easier it is to sit back and watch the ride. Signing day will only get worse until they take my advice and do away with it and give kids the ability to sign whenever they want lol. They won't though, both signing days bring too much money now.

Take some time off. Now is the time to do it. Not much will happen between now and February's signing day. You can read up on Spring Practice and Fall Practice anywhere. Nobody will fault you.

 

[GATTACA!]

I’m sure you’re right,… however this isn’t just Bowen. I was hyped for a legit five star QB, Bowen, Edwards (I pictured another Ricky Watters), and Keely and we lost all of them. No one else really hyped me like the aforementioned. I guess I got into the class at the wrong time. Today just depressed me hard. The Oregon thing was strange enough I laughed it off but him still going to OU afterwards idk,… Trattou ptsd night terrors,… idk. I haven’t thought of JT and that whole fiasco in a long while. Flooded back today.

Anyway, little side point, I see others get down and try to lighten shit up or just let them alone for a few,… I get down and share it in literally like two posts it’s attacks in PM, not so veiled ‘ignore’ threats and calls of bullshit. Ok then,… Like I said I obviously like the class and recognize it’s a good one but I’ll prob never be able to get over what it could have been (transfer QB shit ain’t helping) and will remember it for that,… that’s a me problem but I’m just sharing my feelings… so yeah, sorry.

Vanderdoes saga forced me off following recruiting for a long time. This was really the first class I'd be locked back onto following unfold. Tough not to get invested in thinking about what each guy could be at ND.

 

[IrishSpartan]

We missed at vyper in the portal and in 23. Now pushing Junior over…. Not happy.

 

[notredomer23]

We missed at vyper in the portal and in 23. Now pushing Junior over…. Not happy.

The portal has barely started?

 

[Dale]

You keep saying we’re moving Junior there like he didn’t play there most of the season. Listen to some of Golden’s early pressers. He used the term combo guy that he also uses on Marist and Botelho right away.

 

[NDPhilly]

ND up to #8 in 247 team rankings due to Oregon dropping with the Bowen commitment. Also are #7 in highest average recruit rank.

 

[jprue24]

You keep saying we’re moving Junior there like he didn’t play there most of the season. Listen to some of Golden’s early pressers. He used the term combo guy that he also uses on Marist and Botelho right away.

When did he play vyper this year?

 

[NDPhilly]

View attachment 3052357


Bama OSU and UGA always have a ton of five stars. But look at their BCR over the last 4 years. If ND can maintain 80-90% BCR, it looks a lot like those teams.

BCR isn't the be all end all, but it is pretty clear 82% under Freeman vs. 62% under Kelly is a massive difference.

ND was actually at 55% and tied for 14th in BCR in 2021, before any classes Freeman was involved in. Jump to 9th was because because of Freeman's 2022 haul which are all freshman. We could jump to 6th for 2023 with this incoming class.

247's team talent composite is honestly way better bc it sums the actual player ranking. ND will look better than our "actual" talent level on BCR since we have signed a ton of 4 stars over the previous 2 cycles.

 

[NDPhilly]

2022 College Football Team Talent Composite

In order to create the most comprehensive Team Recruiting Ranking without any notion of bias, 247Sports Team Recruiting Ranking is solely based on the 247Sports Composite Rating.

247sports.com

Interesting to me - Only the big three schools (Bama, UGA, OSU) are above 92 average player rating in the 2022 team talent composite, which where ND is over the last two classes. ND is likely significantly better at retaining talent than a lot of the other top programs.

 

[FWIrish4]

2022 College Football Team Talent Composite

In order to create the most comprehensive Team Recruiting Ranking without any notion of bias, 247Sports Team Recruiting Ranking is solely based on the 247Sports Composite Rating.

247sports.com

Interesting to me - Only the big three schools (Bama, UGA, OSU) are above 92 average player rating in the 2022 team talent composite, which where ND is over the last two classes. ND is likely significantly better at retaining talent than a lot of the other top programs.

Just another Kelly class smh.

 

[Dale]

When did he play vyper this year?

UNC, BYU and Syracuse he registered snaps on the edge. I distinctly remember Cuse he was on one edge and Botelho was on the other.

 

[dublinirish]

So what did Pendleton momma and keeley’s momma say on twitter? Seems like keeley’s mom deleted a bunch


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Irishdrunk]

So what did Pendleton momma and keeley’s momma say on twitter? Seems like keeley’s mom deleted a bunch


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You are following recruits mothers on Twitter?? Oh boy.

 

[Irishdrunk]

Just another Kelly class smh.

Yeah and Kelly has another 13 slots to Phil. He’s done a really great turn around at LSU

 

[CanadalovesND]

You are following recruits mothers on Twitter?? Oh boy.

Pete Sampson mentioned it in a tweet of his. It was talking about NIL and it was from the perspective of a mother.

 

[CanadalovesND]

Yeah and Kelly has another 13 slots to Phil. He’s done a really great turn around at LSU

Kelly still isn't doing shit when it comes to recruiting.

His staff is doing it for him. And LSU can sell itself rather easily (history of success, second or third most players on active NFL rosters, SEC, huge brand)

BK just comes in when the kid is going to commit and "closes".

 

[Grahambo]

Stars mean shit now. Now it’s all about development. We’ll see which coaching staff is truly better.

 

[StPaul_Irish]

Are we still looking to add to the class in February? Any prospects/guys we are targeting?

 

[CanadalovesND]

Are we still looking to add to the class in February? Any prospects/guys we are targeting?

As of now, nothing has been said or reported that ND is targeting any more players to add to the class.

That could change. There's always a handful or two of underrated/late-risers that don't sign in December.

 

[StPaul_Irish]

As of now, nothing has been said or reported that ND is targeting any more players to add to the class.

That could change. There's always a handful or two of underrated/late-risers that don't sign in December.

That's why I asked, I couldn't remember or recall any names. Then again I'm an idiot and all the DM and PB posts fried my brain. F-it, might as well hit the Pen and crush some 🍕, I'm a lost cause

 

[FWIrish4]

Yeah and Kelly has another 13 slots to Phil. He’s done a really great turn around at LSU

I refuse to argue about this any further for 2 reasons:

1) Not a single person who has made the claim “there’s no improvement from previous classes” or something similar, has provided an ounce of evidence proving their claim (because there is literally none).
2) Your argument’s goal posts have moved so much that you’re literally hanging your hat on a different school’s recruiting class.