With signing day behind us, we move on to 2018 and the next group of ND recruits. I think the 2017 class wasnsolid, but far from elite. I see 4-5 potential difference makers, but outside of Amosa and Ewell (two big gets), and a couple high upside projects whose size I really like in Genmark-Heath and Owusu-Koromoah I think the ,aortic of the best players are at positions ND routinely lands good players (OL and TE).
2018 is a fresh opportunity to bridge the talent gap between ND and the top schools. With development under Elko and Balis likely on the upswing, ND's next charge is to land higher caliber players in order to maximize that developmental potential... As per usual at this time of the year, ND has a quality early board of top players. Here are some of the potential difference makers ND has a serious shot with early on. Note that I don't include players on the list that I feel have virtually no real interest in ND at this poiny. Obviously things can change, however.
5 star QB Phil Jurkovec (committed)
4 star RB Markese Stepp (committed)
4 star RB TJ Pledger
5 star WR Amon-Ra St. Brown
4 star WR Micah Jones
4 star WR Brian Hightower
4 star WR Kamryn Babb
4 star WR Kevin Austin
4 star WR Braden Lenzy
4 star WR Jahan Dotson
4 star WR Cameron Johnson
4 star TE Jeremy Ruckert
4 star TE Will Mallory
4 star TE Mustapha Muhammad
4 star OL Tommy Brown
4 star OL Ryan Hayes
4 star OL Finn Dirstine
4 star DT Jayson Ademilola (committed)
4 star DT PJ Mustipher
4 star DT Aneas Hawkins
4 star DE Justin Ademilola (committed)
4 star DE Tyreke Smith
4 star DE Elijah Wade
4 star DE Malik Vann
4 star DE Devin O'Rourke
4 star LB Bo Bauer (committed)
4 star LB Dallas Gant
4 star LB Dax Hollifield
4 star LB Jack Sanborn
4 star LB Terrance Taylor
4 star LB Cameron McGrone
4 star S Shayne Simon
5 star S Tyreke Johnson
4 star S Trey Dean
4 star S Jaiden Woodbey
4 star S CJ Smith
4 star CB Derrik Allen
4 star CB Bookie Radley-Hiles
4 star CB Houston Griffith
4 star CB Christian Tutt
4 star ATH Josh Moore
I expect ND to take a class of around 21 kids next year. Obviously, ND usually ends up with between 6-10, 3 star players that I have not listed here... If they can keep the players they currently have committed, and add 5-6 guys from this list, they'll be in good shape.
I expect the class to include...
1 QB
2 RB
3 WR
1 TE
3 OL
2 DE
2 DT / NG
2 LB
1 Rover
3 CB
1 S
2018 is a fresh opportunity to bridge the talent gap between ND and the top schools. With development under Elko and Balis likely on the upswing, ND's next charge is to land higher caliber players in order to maximize that developmental potential... As per usual at this time of the year, ND has a quality early board of top players. Here are some of the potential difference makers ND has a serious shot with early on. Note that I don't include players on the list that I feel have virtually no real interest in ND at this poiny. Obviously things can change, however.
5 star QB Phil Jurkovec (committed)
4 star RB Markese Stepp (committed)
4 star RB TJ Pledger
5 star WR Amon-Ra St. Brown
4 star WR Micah Jones
4 star WR Brian Hightower
4 star WR Kamryn Babb
4 star WR Kevin Austin
4 star WR Braden Lenzy
4 star WR Jahan Dotson
4 star WR Cameron Johnson
4 star TE Jeremy Ruckert
4 star TE Will Mallory
4 star TE Mustapha Muhammad
4 star OL Tommy Brown
4 star OL Ryan Hayes
4 star OL Finn Dirstine
4 star DT Jayson Ademilola (committed)
4 star DT PJ Mustipher
4 star DT Aneas Hawkins
4 star DE Justin Ademilola (committed)
4 star DE Tyreke Smith
4 star DE Elijah Wade
4 star DE Malik Vann
4 star DE Devin O'Rourke
4 star LB Bo Bauer (committed)
4 star LB Dallas Gant
4 star LB Dax Hollifield
4 star LB Jack Sanborn
4 star LB Terrance Taylor
4 star LB Cameron McGrone
4 star S Shayne Simon
5 star S Tyreke Johnson
4 star S Trey Dean
4 star S Jaiden Woodbey
4 star S CJ Smith
4 star CB Derrik Allen
4 star CB Bookie Radley-Hiles
4 star CB Houston Griffith
4 star CB Christian Tutt
4 star ATH Josh Moore
I expect ND to take a class of around 21 kids next year. Obviously, ND usually ends up with between 6-10, 3 star players that I have not listed here... If they can keep the players they currently have committed, and add 5-6 guys from this list, they'll be in good shape.
I expect the class to include...
1 QB
2 RB
3 WR
1 TE
3 OL
2 DE
2 DT / NG
2 LB
1 Rover
3 CB
1 S