Top Ten Recruiting Targets

[jiggafini19]

Interesting list by Pete Sampson of Irish Illustrated. Take a look at where Kerry Neal is rated and who is right below him. These players would have impacts on the 2007 recruiting class and beyond. Brief summary of each guy.

1. DT Marvin Austin - Could start as Landri's replacement in 2007.

2. WR Arrelious Benn - Getting Benn could help getting Austin; not a package deal

3. QB Jimmy Clausen - Could annonce at Blue and Gold Game

4. DE Kerry Neal- The pass rusher ND needs

5. OT Josh Oglesby- ND is in great shape with this kid

6. OG James Wilson - Tim Tebow teammate.

7. WR Duval Kumara- Compared to Stovall; nice duo with Benn

8. CB Ronald Johnson- ND's best shot at getting a top CB

9. RB Armando Allen- 3rd best FLA back; top ten in nation.

10. S Lorenzo Edwards - LB or safety? ND needs both.

 

[jiggafini19]

Instead of having two WR on this list, I'd probably sub Barksdale for Kumara. Otherwise, I like how he has Austin rated first. To me, if Austin really is the best DT in America than he is the top priority.

(Yes, he is more important than Jimmy Clausen.)

 

[nayers]

Instead of having two WR on this list, I'd probably sub Barksdale for Kumara. Otherwise, I like how he has Austin rated first. To me, if Austin really is the best DT in America than he is the top priority.
(Yes, he is more important than Jimmy Clausen.)

I disagree, even if we dont "need" JC, he is most important because of the large following he has, I believe he is the key for guys like Benn, Tyler, i know it is not a for sure thing, but the nations top talents are all keeping an eye on JC

 

[SillyIrish]

Whats more impressive is that he has Neal listed and not Ben Martin, obviously no disrespect to Neal. I haven't seen any video on Neal but obviously whoever does see it is blown away. Jig I agree 100% Austin is a must before JC, ND will forever be able to recruit big name qb's with this offense. However i would be extremely pissed if JC does not come.

 

[isotopes]

I' goin to have to agree with nayers. Even though Austin IMO is the top recruit out there, I feel Clausen is the most important. Everyone wants to play with him. So while he's just one recruit with a lot of hype, he potentially brings a few more 5 stars to South Bend. Clausen gets Benn, and then Benn works Austin

 

[AlbuquerqueIrishFan]

Clausen is #1. They say defense wins championships, but I think Clausen is a can't miss kid we have got to land. He would put ND on the map and many recruits would follow.

 

[jiggafini19]

How many guys followed Tim Tebow?

8 players came after he did. 3 were on offense. One was Percy Harvin.

As far as the kid at the cool table in the cafeteria goes, Clausen might be it and it would be nice recruiting PR.

On the field, ND needs defensive tackles. Austin is a freak in terms of ability. I want him above any other player on ND's list.

 

[ACCIrish]

I agree with jig we have to get us a topnotch dt! Although clausen is big time it doesnt guarantee people will automatically sign because of him and i think zack and dj will be good quarterbacks down the road.

 

[irishwavend]

10. S Lorenzo Edwards - LB or safety? ND needs both.

PLEEEEEAAAASSSEEE.....We have 20 F'ing safeties. We don't NEED another one. We might want another one, but God knows we don't NEED one.

 

[jiggafini19]

PLEEEEEAAAASSSEEE.....We have 20 F'ing safeties. We don't NEED another one. We might want another one, but God knows we don't NEED one.

The biggest needs are O and D Line. Otherwise, I'd say ND needs everything. They took 28 guys this time around and look to take another 25. The depth chart, for lack of a better term, blows as far as numbers go.

At first glance, I thought so too. Then at second glance, Sampson is right. Lose two, gain two. They've offered Edwards, Wright and Barnes (who could play and desires WR).

Ndukewe is gone after 06, Zbikowski has a year left in 07 but could probably bolt out for The League, so that leaves Bruton, Herring, McCarthy, Gaines, Brown and Gordon. Gordon and Brown each saw time at corner in high school, which could allow Lewis to plug them in there perhaps.

8 safeties total in 2006, loss of 2, thus they'll probably want to take two. They will have 5 quarterbacks in 2007 too, so does ND really need Jimmy Clausen? From a math standpoint, probably not. Lose Quinn, gain Clausen.

 

[LuckoftheIrish86]

WE NEED THE BEST POSSIBLE DT

I cannot stress this enough. I love JC and the crew that he would probably bring with him but we need a Monster Defense Tackle Prospect in every way.

 

[ACCIrish]

thank you !!!!!!!!!!

 

[jiggafini19]

From what Benn is saying, it sounds as if ND is in the lead. He's coming to the spring game and wants to enroll early.

Offensively, with Clausen and Benn ND would get two of the biggest impact recruits in the program's history should they pledge to ND. The top rated QB and WR in nation would be monumental.

So would getting Ben Martin and Marvin Austin.

 

[LuckoftheIrish86]

Well Austin looks like he is going elsewhere, I have more faith in landing Wade

Ben Martin would be great, is it still a ND-OSU battle?

 

[irishwavend]

On what grounds do you think Austin is going somewhere else? From what I have seen he could be going anywhere, including ND.

 

[LuckoftheIrish86]

Well I dont have tons of evidence to prove that but in recent interviews by scout or rivals Austin seemed pretty warm and interested in talking about USC. (Fist Pump)

 

[jiggafini19]

On what grounds do you think Austin is going somewhere else? From what I have seen he could be going anywhere, including ND.

I have it on pretty good authority that he is a longshot. Now at this point, anything can happen, but I'll put my money on him going to Penn State or USC.