IRISHMAN
Well-known member
- Messages
- 1,245
- Reaction score
- 176
Ten on top
By Pete Sampson
For Notre Dame to max out its recruiting momentum next Signing Day, the Irish program must attract the right prospects in the correct combination to South Bend. With the summer camp season in full swing, not to mention a handful of top prospects making visits in the coming weeks, Irish Illustrated updates its picks for the 10 most important prospects on the Notre Dame board.
Joseph Barksdale
How did the 6-foot-6, 323-pound defensive tackle go from the middle of this list to the pole position? It's a combination of Notre Dame's slipping position with Marvin Austin, Barksdale's intention to graduate a semester early and the fact the Detroit, Mich., lineman ranks among the nation's best not just at his position, but at any position. A five-star selection and the No. 17 prospect in the country, Barksdale's offer list includes every program among the nation's best. He doesn't plan to make a commitment until December. Ohio State likely represents Notre Dame's toughest challenge.
Jimmy Clausen
In any other year Clausen could take up residence on the No. 1 line in this list without fear of eviction. So how does the nation's top overall prospect sit at No. 2? Notre Dame's dire needs at defensive tackle combined with recent Irish successes under center are the biggest reasons. But considering the pied piper effect Clausen has kicked off for Notre Dame recruiting and it's still easy to argue for the 6-3, 200-pound Californian at the top. He played a part in helping the Irish pull New Jersey standouts Duval Kamara and Mike Ragone to South Bend. Odds are the "Clausen effect" won't stop there.
Arrelious Benn
The No. 1 receiver on the board and the kind of make-you-miss talent the Notre Dame offense lacks, Benn has long been considered a lean toward South Bend, but USC and Florida State both pose as challengers for the 6-2, 210-pound athlete from Washington, D.C. Ranked as the nation's No. 19 prospect and No. 2 receiver, Benn has already visited Notre Dame twice and has been open about wanting to play with Clausen at the next level. Benn also plans to graduate from high school a semester early to get a jump on his college career.
Martez Wilson
He's not just the most athletic player on this board, Wilson could be the best athlete recruited by any program anywhere in the nation. The Chicago, Ill., standout showed his skills at the Ohio State Nike Camp where he successfully stated his case for five-star status. Ranked as the nation's No. 21 prospect and No. 1 weak side defensive end, Wilson holds coast-to-coast offers with the exception of Miami, which he has called his dream school. Protecting Chicagoland ranks among Notre Dame's biggest priorities, short of perhaps only keeping this 6-3, 200-pound athlete close to home.
Ryan Miller
One good class of offensive linemen does not a solid depth chart make. That's why even after signing six standouts last year, Notre Dame needs to follow up with another strong group. After losing out early on Josh Oglesby, the 6-6, 278-pound Miller turned into the top tackle on the board. The nation's No. 15 prospect and No. 2 tackle, the Littleton, Colo., lineman will likely choose among Notre Dame, Colorado, Miami and USC in the end with the Irish and Buffaloes holding at least a small edge. If Dan Hawkins makes a splash in Boulder this fall, pulling Miller away from home will be difficult.
Marcus Gilchrist
Notre Dame may be chasing more coveted cornerbacks, but the Irish probably have the best shot at Gilchrist when it comes to that top tier of coverage specialists. If the 5-11, 175-pound corner from High Point, N.C., makes a summer visit to Notre Dame as expected, the Irish will have a solid shot. Gilchrist, who ranks as the country's No. 61 prospect and No. 7 cornerback, plans to camp at North Carolina this summer, with the Tar Heels likely representing Notre Dame's main competition. Even after signing Darrin Walls and Raeshon McNeil last year, the Irish still need secondary help.
James Wilson
As is the case with Miller, Notre Dame can't be content with one good class of offensive linemen. That's why Wilson, the top interior line prospect on the board, cracks this list. The 6-4, 308-pound blocker, who will visit South Bend this week, ranks as the nation's No. 2 offensive guard and No. 30 prospect overall. The Irish appear to be making serious headway with the St. Augustine, Fla., athlete, and summer visits to Notre Dame have put the program over the top in the past. Wilson's ties to Florida, where former teammate and quarterback Tim Tebow signed last year, could be difficult to overcome.
Armando Allen
With Marc Tyler looking more and more like a future USC tailback, Allen rises in his importance to Notre Dame. The problem, however, is that the 5-9, 181-pound back doesn't appear to be leaning toward South Bend, although he said Notre Dame is among the schools recruiting him the hardest. Pulling top talent out of South Florida makes for a Herculean task, but Allen, the nation's top all-purpose back, appears open to listening to the Irish coaches. Notre Dame signed three running backs last year, but none own the breakaway speed of Allen, who has posted 40-times in the 4.3 range.
Kerry Neal
The first commitment in Notre Dame's 2007 class, Neal represents the brand of athletic pass rusher that the Irish don't sign enough of each February. The 6-3, 225-pound weak side end could help Notre Dame improve its front four pass rush in coming seasons, something the Irish staff figured out just before the Bunn, N.C., athlete started picking up national offers. Miami, Florida and Alabama all offered Neal after he committed to Notre Dame. The Irish have bigger needs than defensive end in this class, but there's no downplaying what a better pass rush could do for the overall defense.
Michael Williams
A combination defensive back in that Williams could develop at cornerback or safety, this 5-11, 181-pound defender from Ventura, Calif., has long been considered a Notre Dame lean although he's visiting Michigan for summer camp. Williams' versatility, he also stars on special teams for St. Bonaventure, makes him a valuable target. Williams last visited South Bend for the Blue-Gold Game and his ultimate decision figures to come down to Notre Dame, Michigan and USC. St. Bonaventure's clash with Oaks Christian this fall could be the high game of the year in California.
ARTICLE-CLICK HERE
By Pete Sampson
For Notre Dame to max out its recruiting momentum next Signing Day, the Irish program must attract the right prospects in the correct combination to South Bend. With the summer camp season in full swing, not to mention a handful of top prospects making visits in the coming weeks, Irish Illustrated updates its picks for the 10 most important prospects on the Notre Dame board.
Joseph Barksdale
How did the 6-foot-6, 323-pound defensive tackle go from the middle of this list to the pole position? It's a combination of Notre Dame's slipping position with Marvin Austin, Barksdale's intention to graduate a semester early and the fact the Detroit, Mich., lineman ranks among the nation's best not just at his position, but at any position. A five-star selection and the No. 17 prospect in the country, Barksdale's offer list includes every program among the nation's best. He doesn't plan to make a commitment until December. Ohio State likely represents Notre Dame's toughest challenge.
Jimmy Clausen
In any other year Clausen could take up residence on the No. 1 line in this list without fear of eviction. So how does the nation's top overall prospect sit at No. 2? Notre Dame's dire needs at defensive tackle combined with recent Irish successes under center are the biggest reasons. But considering the pied piper effect Clausen has kicked off for Notre Dame recruiting and it's still easy to argue for the 6-3, 200-pound Californian at the top. He played a part in helping the Irish pull New Jersey standouts Duval Kamara and Mike Ragone to South Bend. Odds are the "Clausen effect" won't stop there.
Arrelious Benn
The No. 1 receiver on the board and the kind of make-you-miss talent the Notre Dame offense lacks, Benn has long been considered a lean toward South Bend, but USC and Florida State both pose as challengers for the 6-2, 210-pound athlete from Washington, D.C. Ranked as the nation's No. 19 prospect and No. 2 receiver, Benn has already visited Notre Dame twice and has been open about wanting to play with Clausen at the next level. Benn also plans to graduate from high school a semester early to get a jump on his college career.
Martez Wilson
He's not just the most athletic player on this board, Wilson could be the best athlete recruited by any program anywhere in the nation. The Chicago, Ill., standout showed his skills at the Ohio State Nike Camp where he successfully stated his case for five-star status. Ranked as the nation's No. 21 prospect and No. 1 weak side defensive end, Wilson holds coast-to-coast offers with the exception of Miami, which he has called his dream school. Protecting Chicagoland ranks among Notre Dame's biggest priorities, short of perhaps only keeping this 6-3, 200-pound athlete close to home.
Ryan Miller
One good class of offensive linemen does not a solid depth chart make. That's why even after signing six standouts last year, Notre Dame needs to follow up with another strong group. After losing out early on Josh Oglesby, the 6-6, 278-pound Miller turned into the top tackle on the board. The nation's No. 15 prospect and No. 2 tackle, the Littleton, Colo., lineman will likely choose among Notre Dame, Colorado, Miami and USC in the end with the Irish and Buffaloes holding at least a small edge. If Dan Hawkins makes a splash in Boulder this fall, pulling Miller away from home will be difficult.
Marcus Gilchrist
Notre Dame may be chasing more coveted cornerbacks, but the Irish probably have the best shot at Gilchrist when it comes to that top tier of coverage specialists. If the 5-11, 175-pound corner from High Point, N.C., makes a summer visit to Notre Dame as expected, the Irish will have a solid shot. Gilchrist, who ranks as the country's No. 61 prospect and No. 7 cornerback, plans to camp at North Carolina this summer, with the Tar Heels likely representing Notre Dame's main competition. Even after signing Darrin Walls and Raeshon McNeil last year, the Irish still need secondary help.
James Wilson
As is the case with Miller, Notre Dame can't be content with one good class of offensive linemen. That's why Wilson, the top interior line prospect on the board, cracks this list. The 6-4, 308-pound blocker, who will visit South Bend this week, ranks as the nation's No. 2 offensive guard and No. 30 prospect overall. The Irish appear to be making serious headway with the St. Augustine, Fla., athlete, and summer visits to Notre Dame have put the program over the top in the past. Wilson's ties to Florida, where former teammate and quarterback Tim Tebow signed last year, could be difficult to overcome.
Armando Allen
With Marc Tyler looking more and more like a future USC tailback, Allen rises in his importance to Notre Dame. The problem, however, is that the 5-9, 181-pound back doesn't appear to be leaning toward South Bend, although he said Notre Dame is among the schools recruiting him the hardest. Pulling top talent out of South Florida makes for a Herculean task, but Allen, the nation's top all-purpose back, appears open to listening to the Irish coaches. Notre Dame signed three running backs last year, but none own the breakaway speed of Allen, who has posted 40-times in the 4.3 range.
Kerry Neal
The first commitment in Notre Dame's 2007 class, Neal represents the brand of athletic pass rusher that the Irish don't sign enough of each February. The 6-3, 225-pound weak side end could help Notre Dame improve its front four pass rush in coming seasons, something the Irish staff figured out just before the Bunn, N.C., athlete started picking up national offers. Miami, Florida and Alabama all offered Neal after he committed to Notre Dame. The Irish have bigger needs than defensive end in this class, but there's no downplaying what a better pass rush could do for the overall defense.
Michael Williams
A combination defensive back in that Williams could develop at cornerback or safety, this 5-11, 181-pound defender from Ventura, Calif., has long been considered a Notre Dame lean although he's visiting Michigan for summer camp. Williams' versatility, he also stars on special teams for St. Bonaventure, makes him a valuable target. Williams last visited South Bend for the Blue-Gold Game and his ultimate decision figures to come down to Notre Dame, Michigan and USC. St. Bonaventure's clash with Oaks Christian this fall could be the high game of the year in California.
ARTICLE-CLICK HERE
