State of the Recruiting Class - 2024

[Dale]

I know it’s insanely early but didn’t last years class feel way more optimistic at this point?

Well we had Keon Keeley, Peyton Bowen (announced day of Fiesta Bowl) and were in it for Vizzina/Moore/Arnold as well as M’Pemba and Carnell Tate…..


But then a “disappointing” Junior Day in late January produced Christian Gray, Absher, Devan Houstan and Preston Zinter while a inexperienced Chansi Stuckey started talking to guys such as Braylon James and Jaden Greathouse later that month too.

 

[NDFAN2008]

I know it’s insanely early but didn’t last years class feel way more optimistic at this point?

I agree the two areas of need DE/DL and Safety are concerning. I’m looking at all the guys in this class and just don’t see how we land difference makers for either position

 

[Irish du Nord]

I agree the two areas of need DE/DL and Safety are concerning. I’m looking at all the guys in this class and just don’t see how we land difference makers for either position

To me, the biggest positions of need are a pure LT and a vyper/WDE. Maybe Absher is a LT but it sure seems like everybody else we signed is more suited to the interior (Jagusah probably being a RT or Guard per most reports). Maybe Traore or Zinter are WDEs but relying on that uncertainty doesn’t feel right, especially with the question marks we have at that position currently.

 

[notredomer23]

I know it’s insanely early but didn’t last years class feel way more optimistic at this point?

I kinda feel this way about the defensive side of the ball, but offensive side feels pretty loaded. Below are all guys ND is sitting in the top group or already has committed

QB: CJ Carr top 50
RB: Aneyas Williams top 100 when updated
RB: Corey Smith 4 Star
RB: Nate Palmer 4 star
WR: Cam Williams top 50
WR: Ryan Wingo 5 star
WR: Jeremiah McClellan 4 star
WR: Bredell Richardson 4 star
WR: Jason Robinson 4 star
TE: Jack Larsen 4 star
TE: Carter Nelson 4 star
OL: Peter Jones 4 star
OL: Guery Lambert top 50

Expand the offensive line board, add a RB, lock down 3 of those 5 receivers (at least), and ND sitting pretty on offense.

 

[CanadalovesND]

I am curious to see who the defensive staff is going to make a priority. We seem to already know some names on the DL, but every other position seems like an unknown.

 

[Dale]

I am curious to see who the defensive staff is going to make a priority. We seem to already know some names on the DL, but every other position seems like an unknown.

Not Eli Bowen.

 

[NDFAN2008]

To me, the biggest positions of need are a pure LT and a vyper/WDE. Maybe Absher is a LT but it sure seems like everybody else we signed is more suited to the interior (Jagusah probably being a RT or Guard per most reports). Maybe Traore or Zinter are WDEs but relying on that uncertainty doesn’t feel right, especially with the question marks we have at that position currently.

Disagree on LT. Charles Jagusah should be ready after a year he’s already size wise. Also I think AAMIL Wagner takes over one of the tackle spots either in 2024 when OTT leaves after next year or for Fischer. Wagner just needs to add a little more weight but he was abusing guys all year in practice.

 

[GATTACA!]

Not Eli Bowen.

Surely it can’t happen again……

 

[Dale]

I think a nice snag that wouldn’t be shocked if Freeman has been putting in work is Kris Jones at LB. They need both Smith twins with the loss of BDS. Bryce Young is now a legit prospect. I think they can take back Brian Robinson from Michigan because why not. They need Brauntae to qualify and settle on safety.

Rees did a clean sweep at Irish Invasion. Need a big visit day from the defense.

 

[Crazy Balki]

I feel pretty good about DL so far with Wafle committed, and ND in good shape with the Smiths, Lindsey and Bryce Young.

Lots of big dudes, and I think Young has the makings of a late surger-type. Maybe not quite Keeley-esque, but I can see him finishing as a fringe top 100 guy. He's currently in the top 200 composite, but 247 is WAY behind on him.

 

[Dale]

I feel pretty good about DL so far with Wafle committed, and ND in good shape with the Smiths, Lindsey and Bryce Young.

Lots of big dudes, and I think Young has the makings of a late surger-type. Maybe not quite Keeley-esque, but I can see him finishing as a fringe top 100 guy. He's currently in the top 200 composite, but 247 is WAY behind on him.

I think you could go higher than 88 rating based off potential for Young, but On3s #103 overall seems kinda ridiculous unless he was night and day on his Junior tape.

 

[Crazy Balki]

I think you could go higher than 88 rating based off potential for Young, but On3s #103 overall seems kinda ridiculous unless he was night and day on his Junior tape.

Which puts the 247 composite at about where I'd have him. Just inside the top 200.

But I also think ND needs 2 Vyper prospects.

 

[irish4ever]

Not Eli Bowen.

Depends. Where is his girlfriend going (plus NIL $)? Wherever, they have the inside track!

 

[allenm5333]

I know it’s insanely early but didn’t last years class feel way more optimistic at this point?

Well Peyton Bowen committed on New Years...

 

[WilliamWallace]

Sammy Brown is probably my biggest want at LB. Need to continue to recruit the studs but continue to find the Hamilton, JOK’s every class. It doesn’t appear with the Bowen, Keeley recruitments they can get lazy there.

 

[IrishSpartan]

Justin Scott or bust for this class we need beasts on the line this cycle

 

[Irishdrunk]

I think Top 100 kids they are going to be extremely selective who they recruit. Wingo, Scott and maybe one or two more. There is a WR out of Fort Wayne they should land....geez. Mylan Graham.

Still I think next years class will be like 8 - 12 type class due to all of ND's hurdles vs. SEC, USC, OU types.

 

[NDMatt91]

I think Top 100 kids they are going to be extremely selective who they recruit. Wingo, Scott and maybe one or two more. There is a WR out of Fort Wayne they should land....geez. Mylan Graham.

Still I think next years class will be like 8 - 12 type class due to all of ND's hurdles vs. SEC, USC, OU types.

IIRC his grades aren't the best.

 

[Dale]

IIRC his grades aren't the best.

I don’t think he’s even a take for OSU at this time.

 

[FWIrish4]

I think Top 100 kids they are going to be extremely selective who they recruit. Wingo, Scott and maybe one or two more. There is a WR out of Fort Wayne they should land....geez. Mylan Graham.

Still I think next years class will be like 8 - 12 type class due to all of ND's hurdles vs. SEC, USC, OU types.

I say this as a New Haven guy, he’s not coming to ND and it’s not on ND.

 

[NDMatt91]

I don’t think he’s even a take for OSU at this time.

Yeah, I was looking at a OSU board and Mylan hasn't been mentioned a whole lot lately.

 

[Irishdrunk]

IIRC his grades aren't the best.

This is why Notre Dame will be so challenged to win a national title they take the student athlete the student part of it so much more seriously than all the other major programs. That just limits again and again the recruiting pool. The same thing happened at the end of the Holtz era

 

[Katzenboyer]

I know it’s insanely early but didn’t last years class feel way more optimistic at this point?

Last year at this time we only had four commits - Drayk, Flanagan, Shuler, and Vernon. I'd actually go so far as to say we're off to a better start this year.

EDIT: The above is pretending that Keeley and P. Bowen don't exist because they didn't end up signing here. I believe this time last year, both were hovering around the Top 100, but weren't considered blue chippers.

 

[NDMatt91]

This is why Notre Dame will be so challenged to win a national title they take the student athlete the student part of it so much more seriously than all the other major programs. That just limits again and again the recruiting pool. The same thing happened at the end of the Holtz era

I don't know what Graham's grades are, but it's interesting looking back at some players who were able to get into school. Paddy Mullen had a 2.2 GPA entering his Senior year of HS, Robert Hughes and Ian Williams had GPA's in the mid-2's, and Louis Nix had a 2.5 GPA coming out of a public HS.

 

[Dale]

If OSU is not taking Mylan, i believe that qualifies as another major program.

ND also had no business landing guys such as Braylon James, Jaden Greathouse and others if not for the academics of the university. It goes both ways.

 

[FWIrish4]

If OSU is not taking Mylan, i believe that qualifies as another major program.

ND also had no business landing guys such as Braylon James, Jaden Greathouse and others if not for the academics of the university. It goes both ways.

I can confirm this is a major issue for him overall, not just for getting into ND. This is not an example of “refusing to make academic exceptions” on ND’s part whatsoever.

 

[Dale]

I can confirm this is a major issue for him overall, not just for getting into ND. This is not an example of “refusing to make academic exceptions” on ND’s part whatsoever.

But isn’t it more fun to get angry over fictional, self imposed hurdles?

 

[Irishdrunk]

But isn’t it more fun to get angry over fictional, self imposed hurdles?

Dale - so you don't think ND's academics are limiting the pool of recruits??? Lets not make things up. For every one academically determined Top 100 recruit that would want an academic rigor of an ND (plus side for ND) you probably have four or five that are actually not eligible OR not interested in being driven by the school academically. Again, this is part of what killed Holtz's recruiting. Just a fact.

Also, if a student is academically gifted - its not like ND has a monopoly. Michigan, Duke, UNC, Stanford and others can also talk about their high academics, too. And Michigan is in the CFP again. The difference is that Michigan has more leeway despite having great academics, too.

SMH.

 

[NDMatt91]

Dale - so you don't think ND's academics are limiting the pool of recruits??? Lets not make things up. For every one academically determined Top 100 recruit that would want an academic rigor of an ND (plus side for ND) you probably have four or five that are actually not eligible OR not interested in being driven by the school academically. Again, this is part of what killed Holtz's recruiting. Just a fact.

Also, if a student is academically gifted - its not like ND has a monopoly. Michigan, Duke, UNC, Stanford and others can also talk about their high academics, too. And Michigan is in the CFP again. The difference is that Michigan has more leeway despite having great academics, too.

SMH.

In terms of undergrad transfer process, I would agree that changes need to be made. Heck, Stanford was able to take 2 undergrad transfers earlier this week. In terms of academic requirements for HS students, I think they're fine. If you have a GPA at or near a 3.0 and don't bomb your SAT then you should be able to get into ND to play football. I felt that the foreign language requirement was asinine, but I'm not sure if that is still a requirement.

 

[Irish du Nord]

Dale - so you don't think ND's academics are limiting the pool of recruits??? Lets not make things up. For every one academically determined Top 100 recruit that would want an academic rigor of an ND (plus side for ND) you probably have four or five that are actually not eligible OR not interested in being driven by the school academically. Again, this is part of what killed Holtz's recruiting. Just a fact.

Also, if a student is academically gifted - its not like ND has a monopoly. Michigan, Duke, UNC, Stanford and others can also talk about their high academics, too. And Michigan is in the CFP again. The difference is that Michigan has more leeway despite having great academics, too.

SMH.