Grade the 2012 Class

[NDPhilly]

With the addition of Neal how would you grade this class?

 

[BeauBenken]

I was going to say B+, but really it's a tremendous class. All it's missing is another stud corner though so I gave it an A.

 

[Irish YJ]

B+...... Very good, but not great. Many great young men, but didn't hit a few places of need hard enough. Had we landed Darby or another stud CB, I'd be saying A or A-. Had Darby, Deontay, and Decker stayed, I'd be saying A+. Neal is a pure stud, and flexible. Not many kids out there that can impact all 3 phases of the game like he can. I'm just happy as a pig in $#!+ that we have a PR for the next 3-4 years. Slot and/or nickel is just gravy on the tators.

 

[Rhode Irish]

I gave them a 'B'. If they set out only trying to fill 18 spots, I'd have given them an A/A-. The talent is A-level, but I can't get over the size. Also, its hard to give them higher than a B, because then what would have the grade been if Greenberry, Darby and Decker were part of the class? A++++? I don't necessarily fault the coaches for those kids going elsewhere, but I can't pretend it didn't happen, either.

 

[The Polish Irishman]

I wanted to say B, but we needed a Top QB and Shut down corner in this class. We got both. Gave it a B+ with Neal. Everyone from this class will contribute.

 

[stlnd01]

B+.
Quality all around. Very little filler. Some really top-level guys in Kiel and Tee and Neal and Day (and hopefully more) a bunch of 4-star ballplayers and a few sleepers like Brown.
Just fell short on a few more elite guys, and not enough bodies, especially at O-Line, LB and corner. Add in Darby/Poole/Wright, Decker and Armstead and I'd give it an A. Throw in Greenberry, Ekanem and a second of that CB trifecta, and it would have been top 5, no doubt.
But when all the other top schools are bringing in ~25 kids, 18 just isn't enough ammo to be truly elite. I do, though, like the 18 we've got.

 

[GBdomer]

B+. We won 8 games

 

[gkIrish]

B+

2/4 between Tee's cousin, Darby, Decker, and Poole/Yuri Wright would have been A
3/4 or better would have been an A+

Like others have said, the size of the class is small but we did only win 8 games and still got 3-4 elite talents

 

[Redbar]

B+, I think it was a very good class, one more lineman or corner and it is an A, both and it's an A+ IMO

 

[SJIrish]

B, it's a solid class but didn't get enough players at OL, LB, and CB. Part of having a great class is not only bring in talent but also filling your needs. It has good talent but still lacks depth.

 

[DeSero]

I put a B+. However, you can't forget the additions of Prestwood and Carlise plus the retention of Teo and Eifert. That should boost the "class" to an A+.

 

[Rhode Irish]

I think my 'B' is the result of my scale being different from others. I see people saying it would have been an A+ if X, Y and Z would have happened. I think that would have made it an 'A'. You get an A+ if you get 25 commits who are all either 5's or in the top-10 of their position. I obviously couldn't give an A+ unless you had the #1 class, and I wouldn't give it automatically to the #1 class. So my 'B' seems the same as a lot of your B+.

 

[Emcee77]

B+ Might have put A- if it were an option. Bottom line is I love the kids we've got; just wish we'd gotten at least one more CB. Poole, Wright or Darby makes this class a sure A. Greenberry would have been nice but I think with Neal the receiver haul is still A quality. I'm not even really troubled by the loss of Decker ... we are still pretty deep at O line. We just needed one more true corner to make this an A class for me. Even Standifer might have done it.

 

[condoms SUCk]

B for me-it's a good class, we have some elite players with some solid 4* players with a few high3* guys sprinkled in. Class size is a concern for me, we HAVE to get a 24-26 size class in 2013, and we are off to a slow start, only one commit.
Side note- I know this it’s still early and we have not held our JR days so I am not too worried yet, but we need to really build the 2013 class up during the summer, I say a class size 14-16 by the start of the season, which would give us 10 elite prospect to go after in conjunction with a strong showing on the field. JMHO

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

B for me-it's a good class, we have some elite players with some solid 4* players with a few high3* guys sprinkled in. Class size is a concern for me, we HAVE to get a 24-26 size class in 2013, and we are off to a slow start, only one commit.
Side note- I know this it’s still early and we have not held our JR days so I am not too worried yet, but we need to really build the 2013 class up during the summer, I say a class size 14-16 by the start of the season, which would give us 10 elite prospect to go after in conjunction with a strong showing on the field. JMHO

The 2013 class will be somewhere between 19-21 depending on who comes back for a 5th year.

 

[TerryTate]

Favorites:
Amir Carlisle
Davonte Neal
Tee Sheppard
Keivarae Russell
Chris Brown
Sheldon Day

B+

 

[TerryTate]

Irish2015 - C+

Really?

 

[Rhode Irish]

The 2013 class will be somewhere between 19-21 depending on who comes back for a 5th year.

2010 - 23 commits, minus Boyd, James and Roback (20)

2011 - 23 commits, plus Prestwood and Carlisle (25)

2012 - 17 commits (17)

20 + 25 + 17 = 62

85 - 62 = 23

23 - (5th years) = (2013 class size)

Eligible for 5th years: Calabrese; Watt; Martin; Wood; Fox; J. Golic;

Likely 5th years: Watt, Martin, Wood; (3) (I could see one or neither of the ILBs coming back, depending on how we recruit that position and how guys like Moore and Rabassa progress)

23 - 3 = 20 recruits for 2013


----------------------------------------------------

I did this quickly (like in 5 minutes) so I could have easily made a mistake, but this is where I think the math is right now. I'm a little surprised, honestly, because it feels like we should be in the market for a big class next year. I guess the difference between a "big" class and an average-sized class is the three spots used by Badger, Prestwood and Carlisle. I can live with a 20 player class in 2013 - it definitely takes some of the pressure off at this stage.

Considering that the roster dynamics are a little different than I assumed, I'll change my grade from B to B+. My original grade knocked them for a small class, but now I don't think that is as big of a deal after looking at the numbers more closely.

 

[SBjandy7]

Landed a lock down corner in Tee, hopefully the future QB in Kiel, and landed Neal who is going to make plays anywhere he's put. Plus bringing back Manti and Big Eif, this is foundation class. Plus, with Lynch, Tuitt and Ishaq holding down the d-line, we will be scary good very soon.

 

[irishmarine]

Adding in transfers I think its a really good class. I think the size is what's holding an a
Back

 

[buddyirish]

B+ If we kept Darby and Greenberry this class would have been a historic class. Still can be but those would have helped a bunch. Glad Neal chose the Irish it made my day.

 

[Grahambo]

Gave it a 'B'.

Can't overlook the loss of Darby and Greenberry. This class has high end talent nevertheless and I love the class.

If Amir was able to play right away then its a 'B+' to an 'A' type of class. Really depends on him.

Prestwood is eligible to play this year and Badge is returning.

Pretty exciting to get some new blood into the program.

 

[DANsanity15]

I would say an A if Greenberry had stayed.. But if you look at it, they obviously got the QB and CB they need, but i think Stanley and Schumate will have as much of an impact as anyone from this class. Can't wait to see this team in the coming years.

 

[DANsanity15]

2010 - 23 commits, minus Boyd, James and Roback (20)

2011 - 23 commits, plus Prestwood and Carlisle (25)

2012 - 17 commits (17)

20 + 25 + 17 = 62

85 - 62 = 23

23 - (5th years) = (2013 class size)

Eligible for 5th years: Calabrese; Watt; Martin; Wood; Fox; J. Golic;

Likely 5th years: Watt, Martin, Wood; (3) (I could see one or neither of the ILBs coming back, depending on how we recruit that position and how guys like Moore and Rabassa progress)

23 - 3 = 20 recruits for 2013


----------------------------------------------------

I did this quickly (like in 5 minutes) so I could have easily made a mistake, but this is where I think the math is right now. I'm a little surprised, honestly, because it feels like we should be in the market for a big class next year. I guess the difference between a "big" class and an average-sized class is the three spots used by Badger, Prestwood and Carlisle. I can live with a 20 player class in 2013 - it definitely takes some of the pressure off at this stage.

Considering that the roster dynamics are a little different than I assumed, I'll change my grade from B to B+. My original grade knocked them for a small class, but now I don't think that is as big of a deal after looking at the numbers more closely.

This is true, but if Cierre has another 1000+ yard year its going to be hard to convince him to come back. He could be one of the top RBs in next years draft class.

 

[Me2SouthBend]

B+. High level playmakers in key positions on both sides of the ball. Athleticism, speed and talent at every level. Restocked Safety position, QB, RB, WR, great talent for D Line, stud Corner, low volume, high quality OL, stud young Backer. Think of the class had Armond been cleared by the medical staff.

 

[PANDFAN]

strong B+/A - look we have had top 5 recruiting classes before and what did it give us during the weis years...nothing! i think we addressed a big need in the fact we brought overall team speed up...we added a lock down corner, got several athletic-key word safeties, big boys on the dl/OL, good compliment of wr's, #1 QB and i think a new mentality...i for one am very satisfied w/ this group whether it is ranked #1 or 100...THESE guys seem to have bought in to the new philosophy and culture at ND...and i find myself rooting for them now on a more personal level as opposed to just another ND player

 

[tadman95]

I gotta give it a A. Any class that is Top 10 (more or less) is pretty much an "A". Take away a little for size, add back a little because we filled some important needs: Shepard, Kiel, and Neal specifically.

For reference, a Top 5 is A+ to me.

 

[IrishLax]

I gave it a B+ because I think it gets an A- for pure talent level, a B+ for addressing needs (lack of a 5 safety and ideally one more CB) and a B for overall depth. I think we made depth mistakes not going after McNamara for TE and fighting for Decker/passing on other OLs; but I do understand how that happened.

Average those all out... you get a B+. Neal does a TON for this class giving us a guy who addresses a need at PR, adds a second "playmaker" to an already pretty good WR haul, and if we lose a CB to injury in fall camp could always cross-train at that position and provide depth. Just a huge pickup.

Also, Amir Carlisle is the forgotten man here in a lot of grades. Carlisle is going to be an absolute stud... when you add him to Mahone and Russel (who may or may not play WR now with the addition of Neal) we just took RB from a position of no depth to great depth. It makes RB a luxury in this recruiting cycle.

 

[ohara831]

Gave it a very solid B. Losing Greenberry and Darby were the difference for me from being a higher grade. But a very solid B still makes for a good class.

 

[NDhoosier]

2010 - 23 commits, minus Boyd, James and Roback (20)

2011 - 23 commits, plus Prestwood and Carlisle (25)

2012 - 17 commits (17)

20 + 25 + 17 = 62

85 - 62 = 23

23 - (5th years) = (2013 class size)

Eligible for 5th years: Calabrese; Watt; Martin; Wood; Fox; J. Golic;

Likely 5th years: Watt, Martin, Wood; (3) (I could see one or neither of the ILBs coming back, depending on how we recruit that position and how guys like Moore and Rabassa progress)

23 - 3 = 20 recruits for 2013


----------------------------------------------------

I did this quickly (like in 5 minutes) so I could have easily made a mistake, but this is where I think the math is right now. I'm a little surprised, honestly, because it feels like we should be in the market for a big class next year. I guess the difference between a "big" class and an average-sized class is the three spots used by Badger, Prestwood and Carlisle. I can live with a 20 player class in 2013 - it definitely takes some of the pressure off at this stage.

Considering that the roster dynamics are a little different than I assumed, I'll change my grade from B to B+. My original grade knocked them for a small class, but now I don't think that is as big of a deal after looking at the numbers more closely.

Your right, the magic number for 2013 is 23, but I dont see Wood coming back because I am expecting/wanting him to have a great year next year and he will probably go to the NFL (but he will have his degree, so it only makes sense)


As for the grade, I gave it a B+ because of a great finish but also because we got this class with an 8-5 record. I couldnt give it an A because of what it could of been. Losing Darby and Greenbury hurt quite a bit and they should have been locked up and ready to roll with Notre Dame. If we kept one of those, I would have given it an A, and if we kept both of them, I would have given them an A+...