Offense
RB: Chris Tyree (0.9867 Comp, #1 APB, #26 nationally)
Every year I allow myself to be cautiously optimistic about a player of Tyree's caliber, that ND usually does not land. I've went as far as saying that I doubt Tyree comes to Notre Dame, but recently, I've become more encouraged by what's happening in his recruitment. By all accounts the track star is an ND type of kid. He's already scheduled his 3rd visit to Notre Dame (from Virginia) and he talks daily with multiple members of the Irish staff. Right now ND's greatest competition for 5 star back is a down Virginia Tech program and Penn State. These are battles ND needs to win. These are battles that ND use to win all the time. The East Coast has the potential to be a recruiting gold mine for Notre Dame and landing Tyree would be a nice step in that direction.
WR: Jordan Johnson (0.9763 Comp, #7 WR, #47 nationally)
Johnson represents Del Alexander's best chance at landing a true stud wide receiver in the 2020 cycle. Most think that Notre Dame is the clear leader for the Missouri product early in the 2020 cycle and he has already booked another junior day visit to Notre Dame's campus. At 6'2, Johnson brings a similar skill set to the table as Kevin Austin, ND's last top 100 wide receiver (2 cycles ago). The big boys are fighting their way into this recruitment as well. Look for Ohio State to make their way up the list for Johnson with Yurcich and Day leading the charge and Alabama is highly interested as well, and will be back in the mix once they've hired an offensive staff. Johnson recently cancelled an Alabama visit to attend Notre Dame for a second time. Some think that shows his interest level in Notre Dame is legit and others simply think that he's going to wait to visit Alabama once they have coaches in place. Johnson comes from a family that cheered for Notre Dame growing up and he represents to type of recruit that ND must cash in on after an undefeated regular season and a trip to the playoffs.
WR: Jalen McMillan (0.9655, #16 WR, #72 nationally)
If Jordan Johnson represents ND's best shot at a stud receiver in the 2020 cycle, then Jalen McMillan is the next best bet for the Irish. McMillan openly states that ND is the leader for his services right now, with Oregon a close 2nd and sure. This is shaping up to be one heck of a battle. Listed at 6'2, 180lbs, McMillan has surprising deep speed and is sure handed. He reminds me of taller (I think he's more 6'0.5 than 6'2) TJ Jones, with similar ball skills and route running ability. McMillan will be attending Notre Dame's February junior day (which is shaping up to be a big event) and will be bringing his head coach, who has ties to Notre Dame via his daughter who did her undergrad in South Bend and is now at ND Law School. Closing on McMillan, who wants to make an early decision if he can, would be a huge recruiting win for Notre Dame in a cycle that they need to land 2 impact wide receivers to go along with their quality haul at tight end.
OT: Andrew Gentry (0.9499 Comp, #15 OT, #116 nationally)
In what looks to be a stellar year along the offensive in terms of guys that have interest in Notre Dame, Gentry appears to be emerging as not only one of Notre Dame's top candidates, but also a player who has a chance to finish the cycle ranked well inside the top 100. Notre Dame has identified 4 offensive tackle products in Kevin Pyne, Tosh Baker, Jimmy Christ and Andrew Gentry who all stand 6'7-6'8 and have long arms and huge frames. At a listed 6'8, 280lbs (he's still a sophomore) Gentry appears to have the biggest frame of the quartet. Another kid who comes from a family who grew up liking Notre Dame, the tackle prospect is exactly the type of kid ND needs to land regularly. even if his measurables are slightly inflated but he's a full 6'6, with the frame to be 290+lbs from the day he walks on campus, that's exactly what ND's offensive staff is looking for in long limbed tackles. Michigan is emerging as another serious contender for Gentry at this point and he'll take more visits as well. Notre Dame was out to visit him recently and have invited him back for their junior day. In class that likely only has room for 3 offensive linemen, 2 of them must be offensive tackles. Gentry would be an excellent fit.
OT: Tosh Baker (0.8689 Comp, #52 OT, #485 nationally)
This is the Kyle Hamilton of the 2020 class. What I mean by that is that Baker is completely undervalued at this point by the recruiting services, but will shoot up the board in the coming months. In the last month he last received offers from schools like Notre Dame, Ohio State, Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Michigan, etc and he plenty more to come as coaches get in to see the 6'7, 260lb Phoenix product. Jeff Quinn was down to Baker this past week and he'll be back to Notre Dame for his 2nd visit this spring. The Irish are one of the early leaders in Baker's recruitment and the two sport start is exactly the type of freak athlete ND is looking to recruit as a tackle, with a frame that projects to be huge after a couple years in a college strength and conditioning program. In Kyle Hamilton the Irish managed to get on the stud prospect early while other schools were sleeping on him. They managed to get the same edge on most schools with Baker as well. Here is to hoping that's enough to help overcome the long list of suitors that he'll have by the end of spring practice. Baker reminds me of a taller Ronnie Stanley. Just a bear with basketball feet whose best football is well ahead of him and he continues to add the size and strength to play offensive tackle. He's going to be a really good one, IMO.
Continued...
RB: Chris Tyree (0.9867 Comp, #1 APB, #26 nationally)
Every year I allow myself to be cautiously optimistic about a player of Tyree's caliber, that ND usually does not land. I've went as far as saying that I doubt Tyree comes to Notre Dame, but recently, I've become more encouraged by what's happening in his recruitment. By all accounts the track star is an ND type of kid. He's already scheduled his 3rd visit to Notre Dame (from Virginia) and he talks daily with multiple members of the Irish staff. Right now ND's greatest competition for 5 star back is a down Virginia Tech program and Penn State. These are battles ND needs to win. These are battles that ND use to win all the time. The East Coast has the potential to be a recruiting gold mine for Notre Dame and landing Tyree would be a nice step in that direction.
WR: Jordan Johnson (0.9763 Comp, #7 WR, #47 nationally)
Johnson represents Del Alexander's best chance at landing a true stud wide receiver in the 2020 cycle. Most think that Notre Dame is the clear leader for the Missouri product early in the 2020 cycle and he has already booked another junior day visit to Notre Dame's campus. At 6'2, Johnson brings a similar skill set to the table as Kevin Austin, ND's last top 100 wide receiver (2 cycles ago). The big boys are fighting their way into this recruitment as well. Look for Ohio State to make their way up the list for Johnson with Yurcich and Day leading the charge and Alabama is highly interested as well, and will be back in the mix once they've hired an offensive staff. Johnson recently cancelled an Alabama visit to attend Notre Dame for a second time. Some think that shows his interest level in Notre Dame is legit and others simply think that he's going to wait to visit Alabama once they have coaches in place. Johnson comes from a family that cheered for Notre Dame growing up and he represents to type of recruit that ND must cash in on after an undefeated regular season and a trip to the playoffs.
WR: Jalen McMillan (0.9655, #16 WR, #72 nationally)
If Jordan Johnson represents ND's best shot at a stud receiver in the 2020 cycle, then Jalen McMillan is the next best bet for the Irish. McMillan openly states that ND is the leader for his services right now, with Oregon a close 2nd and sure. This is shaping up to be one heck of a battle. Listed at 6'2, 180lbs, McMillan has surprising deep speed and is sure handed. He reminds me of taller (I think he's more 6'0.5 than 6'2) TJ Jones, with similar ball skills and route running ability. McMillan will be attending Notre Dame's February junior day (which is shaping up to be a big event) and will be bringing his head coach, who has ties to Notre Dame via his daughter who did her undergrad in South Bend and is now at ND Law School. Closing on McMillan, who wants to make an early decision if he can, would be a huge recruiting win for Notre Dame in a cycle that they need to land 2 impact wide receivers to go along with their quality haul at tight end.
OT: Andrew Gentry (0.9499 Comp, #15 OT, #116 nationally)
In what looks to be a stellar year along the offensive in terms of guys that have interest in Notre Dame, Gentry appears to be emerging as not only one of Notre Dame's top candidates, but also a player who has a chance to finish the cycle ranked well inside the top 100. Notre Dame has identified 4 offensive tackle products in Kevin Pyne, Tosh Baker, Jimmy Christ and Andrew Gentry who all stand 6'7-6'8 and have long arms and huge frames. At a listed 6'8, 280lbs (he's still a sophomore) Gentry appears to have the biggest frame of the quartet. Another kid who comes from a family who grew up liking Notre Dame, the tackle prospect is exactly the type of kid ND needs to land regularly. even if his measurables are slightly inflated but he's a full 6'6, with the frame to be 290+lbs from the day he walks on campus, that's exactly what ND's offensive staff is looking for in long limbed tackles. Michigan is emerging as another serious contender for Gentry at this point and he'll take more visits as well. Notre Dame was out to visit him recently and have invited him back for their junior day. In class that likely only has room for 3 offensive linemen, 2 of them must be offensive tackles. Gentry would be an excellent fit.
OT: Tosh Baker (0.8689 Comp, #52 OT, #485 nationally)
This is the Kyle Hamilton of the 2020 class. What I mean by that is that Baker is completely undervalued at this point by the recruiting services, but will shoot up the board in the coming months. In the last month he last received offers from schools like Notre Dame, Ohio State, Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Michigan, etc and he plenty more to come as coaches get in to see the 6'7, 260lb Phoenix product. Jeff Quinn was down to Baker this past week and he'll be back to Notre Dame for his 2nd visit this spring. The Irish are one of the early leaders in Baker's recruitment and the two sport start is exactly the type of freak athlete ND is looking to recruit as a tackle, with a frame that projects to be huge after a couple years in a college strength and conditioning program. In Kyle Hamilton the Irish managed to get on the stud prospect early while other schools were sleeping on him. They managed to get the same edge on most schools with Baker as well. Here is to hoping that's enough to help overcome the long list of suitors that he'll have by the end of spring practice. Baker reminds me of a taller Ronnie Stanley. Just a bear with basketball feet whose best football is well ahead of him and he continues to add the size and strength to play offensive tackle. He's going to be a really good one, IMO.
Continued...