The bus could be filling up (16 commits, 7-9 spots left)

[D_Master]

Looking for a min at the 2016 class, we currently have 16 on board and I havent heard much in the way of possible decommits, there usually is at least 1, so it wouldnt surprised if it happens. But assuming it doesnt, i've seen speculation that we have anywhere from 7 to 9 spots left in this class. It will be VERY interesting to see how it shakes out as I see the possibility of alot of talent still coming to South Bend. Here is a general list of possible gets, based on guys who seem to have at least some legit interest. I will start with guys I expect to end up Irish:
1) Khalid Kareem - 4* DE Bama decommit. Has 34 sacks in the last 1 1/2 years. Very good player, Bama doesnt go north to get kids for no reason. Should be over soon, could be next.
2) Daelin Hayes - 4/5* OLB/DE - USC decommit. Loves ND, most think he would choose ND if he chose now. I think he wants to EE, so a decision should come by the end of the year i would think.
3) Ikeena Okeke - 3* safety. staff must really like him. Tenn & Stanford main comp
4) Devin Studsill - 3* safety. Miami the main comp. Many think he ends up Irish.

These are the ones I've read that are most likely to end up Irish. If so that would give us 20 in the class w/ room for 3-5 more. It would be tough as a coach to decide where to push hardest and accept verbals from when the remaining talent would include:
DE O. Betiku (UCLA verbal, visiting for WF. 5*, freak athlete), Carlo Kemp (4 star, heard if we'd push he would likely choose us, UM is the competition here)
WR - Javon McKinely(4 star, ND leads or is right therenear the top), Damian Alloway(4 star, ND was leader, hard to tell now), D. Robertson (4/5 star LOVED ND on visit, probably the leader or in the top group)
LB Aaron Hansford (4 star, some thinking he ultimately ends up Irish). J. McCulloch (4* everyone wants him, said ND "felt like home)
RB - M. Stovall (4 star, trending away)
ATH - M. Calloway (4 star, could play S or WR, interest in ND is picking up)
CB- T. Pride Jr. (3* VaTech commit. Depends how much we want him, think it would be 50/50 he would flip)

FEEL FREE TO ADD ANYONE I FORGOT, but dang if we add that look out. Just getting 1/2 those names at the bottom would be sick.

 

[TurnoverMachine]

ND is always under 85 so it's not a big deal.

 

[perseverare]

TOS's SW says 9 so your probably correct. And maybe a defection or two, so 9 +-

 

[theskibro]

Looking for a min at the 2016 class, we currently have 16 on board and I havent heard much in the way of possible decommits, there usually is at least 1, so it wouldnt surprised if it happens. But assuming it doesnt, i've seen speculation that we have anywhere from 7 to 9 spots left in this class. It will be VERY interesting to see how it shakes out as I see the possibility of alot of talent still coming to South Bend. Here is a general list of possible gets, based on guys who seem to have at least some legit interest. I will start with guys I expect to end up Irish:
1) Khalid Kareem - 4* DE Bama decommit. Has 34 sacks in the last 1 1/2 years. Very good player, Bama doesnt go north to get kids for no reason. Should be over soon, could be next.
2) Daelin Hayes - 4/5* OLB/DE - USC decommit. Loves ND, most think he would choose ND if he chose now. I think he wants to EE, so a decision should come by the end of the year i would think.
3) Ikeena Okeke - 3* safety. staff must really like him. Tenn & Stanford main comp
4) Devin Studsill - 3* safety. Miami the main comp. Many think he ends up Irish.

These are the ones I've read that are most likely to end up Irish. If so that would give us 20 in the class w/ room for 3-5 more. It would be tough as a coach to decide where to push hardest and accept verbals from when the remaining talent would include:
DE O. Betiku (UCLA verbal, visiting for WF. 5*, freak athlete), Carlo Kemp (4 star, heard if we'd push he would likely choose us, UM is the competition here)
WR - Javon McKinely(4 star, ND leads or is right therenear the top), Damian Alloway(4 star, ND was leader, hard to tell now), D. Robertson (4/5 star LOVED ND on visit, probably the leader or in the top group)
LB Aaron Hansford (4 star, some thinking he ultimately ends up Irish). J. McCulloch (4* everyone wants him, said ND "felt like home)
RB - M. Stovall (4 star, trending away)
ATH - M. Calloway (4 star, could play S or WR, interest in ND is picking up)
CB- T. Pride Jr. (3* VaTech commit. Depends how much we want him, think it would be 50/50 he would flip)

FEEL FREE TO ADD ANYONE I FORGOT, but dang if we add that look out. Just getting 1/2 those names at the bottom would be sick.

Great analysis " Masterful"
Thanks. Bump this to top

 

[Irish Grandeur]

Word I am hearing on the street is that the Irish might take as many as 30 or more this recruiting class. Presumably we are going to get a fair amount of transfers and medical casualties and players going pro.
Kelly has been slowly learning his lesson as he has been upping his recruiting numbers lately.

Yep, seems every year ND doesn't fill their 85 limit and have schollies to burn on walk-on players. I thought BK played it very well last year when he over recruited and said he had until the Texas game to work it out. Well, it worked out and he still had schollies to dole out to walk-on players. I say, let's take 30 this year and let it 'work itself out' even if there is no walk-on schollies left to hand out.

 

[D_Master]

if we take 30, which i doubt it gets that high, but if we do, its gonna be an epic class. There's very few guys left that we're in on that we arent recruiting against the big boys of college football for. Again, look at that list i did at the top, and figure that a few other names will likely pop up along the way between now and Feb.

 

[SALittleGiant513]

No way they go 30... 27 is the max... 23-24 is more likely

 

[Bodizephax]

No way they go 30... 27 is the max... 23-24 is more likely

Your numbers were way off last year Sal. I will bump this thread from now until the end of time when the Irish take over 24. Unless you change your point of view in the next 24 hours. Tick Tock.

 

[SALittleGiant513]

Last year I said ND wanted tops 26... they whiffed and took 23... so I guess I was wrong

 

[Bodizephax]

Last year I said ND wanted tops 26... they whiffed and took 23... so I guess I was wrong

Yes, you were very wrong. It takes a big man to admit that.

 

[Irish Grandeur]

No way they go 30... 27 is the max... 23-24 is more likely

EEs will determine the numbers over 25. I say ND takes 25 + EEs this cycle. BK has to push the envelope year in and year out if he wants to win.

 

[SALittleGiant513]

They can take a max 31 with no regard to the upperclassmen

 

[Irish Grandeur]

I'd be in the weeds figuring out 5th year guys...can you break down the fifth year guys not declaring for the draft? Also, I have noticed over the last couple years BK slow-playing commits when the numbers get to crunch time. Love to hear your thoughts.

 

[Irish Grandeur]

ND seems to carry some dead weight on their roster.Arguably these players are filling spots: Turner, Hounshell, Sebastion, Harrell, Hayes, and Grace There's no doubt more but these are the Sr/GS/DH players that have to go.

 

[nsp29640]

ND is always under 85 so it's not a big deal.

Weren't they over the 85 limit at the being of the summer?

 

[perseverare]

Hayes will EE

 

[Nocalirish]

ND still needs 2 DT, 2 RB and 2 LB at least.

 

[Bodizephax]

I did have a good laugh when some speculated that Coach Kelly wasn't all in with recruiting this year. I'm now grinning at the idea Coach Kelly would leave just when he's got the roster right where he wants it. Coach Kelly seems to thrive on the ND job pressure.
I could see him taking 25 guys in this class. If Mike Farrell is right then we could see three to five new four star players when the next update comes out. Some may not like the star power of this recruiting class but they are ballers and love playing football. It's common knowledge that Kareem will be an early enrollee, but I wonder if there might not be others?

In the recent episode of showtimes "A season with Notre Dame Football" Coach Kelly brought up in a speech to his players " I recruited you men because I believed that you were winners" when he was trying to get them fired up after playing poorly. Coach Kelly has said all along from day one that he was going to recruit not just based on talent but based on the competitive fire and the winning edge that a recruit had. He did not want a bunch of primadonnas on his team.
You can see it on the field. The Irish never quit on each other.

 

[Bodizephax]

ND still needs 2 DT, 2 RB and 2 LB at least.

Who are the stud running backs out there this year? I haven't been following at all this year.
I am still bummed about losing Elijah Hood.

 

[Pennick4]

ND still needs 2 DT, 2 RB and 2 LB at least.

Other than Gary.. they aren't recruiting DT's this cycle. Grabbed a bunch last year.

 

[SALittleGiant513]

How is Hayes dead weight? Don't believe ND will take 2 more RBS with Jones already in the mix. It's going to be an APB/slot type guy based off who they are targeting.

 

[coolirish9]

are some of you thinking Jaylon, fuller and cj all leave early and go pro when saying that our irish can take up to 30 possibly

 

[SALittleGiant513]

Bodi would have to answer that

 

[twalsh]

Hayes will EE

Kareem is also enrolling early

 

[perseverare]

As far as the class is developing, ND has ground to make up on the class recruiting leaders.
The usual culprits are still pulling in more of the prospects rated at 5.9 and >.
LSU is having an incredible recruiting year.
Bama, tOSU, FSU, SC, UGA lead the pack. But Stanford and Michigan, two rivals are doing better than expected also.
ND is poised to close well, but will not catch the 1st group.

But onother factor is the plan. ND has a terrific WR/DB group. OL: typical quality class. There is no huge need at QB. The DL/LB recruiting finish will determine the eventual impression of the class.

A lot of things can happen, soon.

 

[perseverare]

D_Master/Cool9

do you guys get the feeling that if tOSU beats MSU decisively that recruits will realize that the ceiling for MSU may well be 2nd or 3rd in the B10. Such a revelation might help ND recruiting and even prompt a few MSU defections.

 

[Tru2Irish]

D_Master/Cool9

do you guys get the feeling that if tOSU beats MSU decisively that recruits will realize that the ceiling for MSU may well be 2nd or 3rd in the B10. Such a revelation might help ND recruiting and even prompt a few MSU defections.

If ND ends up with Hayes and remotely possible wole Betiku ,theywon't need MSU defections. King could be an interesting one though. Not sure if Roberson would flip though. Remember Kemp is still in play.Unless Dantonio is offered for USC, doubt if commits bail on him.

 

[coolirish9]

a DE rated the best in the Midwest from the Chicago area is really the only big time player MSU has that our irish wanted really bad in this 2016 class so I don't think it matters what MSU does. I would be more concerned pers in what Michigan does than sparty. from following recruiting as close as I do I can tell you that at least have of the kids that the irish staff offer are also offered by michigan

 

[perseverare]

Yep, the 2 prospects on UM list that are most needed cannot get by admissions.


but I do have a gut feeling that recruiting wise something(someone) pops tonight! no info, just a feeling.

 

[coolirish9]

well if someone was to pop tonight pers then I personally would like it to be 4 star CA WR Javan McKinley who just visited for the sc game with family and really loved it in south bend. you can never have enough playmakers in a Kelly ran offense. I've read where the 5 star CA DE Betiku is going back to A&M on another visit on his own dime and that they and FSU are the teams to beat. seems like our irish are going to hit a home rum with his visit for the wake game if they want to beat out A&M nd FSU

 

[D_Master]

from my experience MSU doesnt compete w/ ND for a lot for recruits. The most recent 1 i can think of is Cage. Sounds like Hayes is considering MSU too, but not sure how seriously though. as for your question, i dont think kids would defect cause they think there's a ceiling. If Dantonio leaves, it wouldnt surprise me though. But like someone mentioned, we may not need to poach from them as we are doing alright on our own.

 

[perseverare]

you guys see the Hansford CB?

 

[SALittleGiant513]

Saw that, think there is a good shot here but would like to see more momentum ND's way

 

[D_Master]

I havent seen the CB, did they put in ND and who was it? If its Wiltfong its usually pretty reliable. I do know that i read once that his dad's fav team is ND and he goes to a Catholic high school. So there's def some things working in our favor here. And this kid gets forgotten among all the hype surrounding Hayes, Betiku, McCulloch, etc, but we're still talking a top 30 or so OLB in the nation, top 250 overall. Solid player if we could land him.

 

[SALittleGiant513]

It wasn't Wiltfong. It seems a bit random but it could be something more

 

[D_Master]

yeah i found it, PSU writer. But if you look at his predictions, he's been fairly accurate. Read over on irishenvy that the staff for ND has felt pretty confident ever since his visit. We'll see.

 

[D_Master]

Figured I'd bump this back to the top. Since I made this post, 2 of the guys (Kareem and Hayes) did in fact pop for the Irish and Studsill probably will tomorrow. Ikeke was a bit of a surprise going to A&M and McIntosh added a solid piece at RB. So if Studsill does pop for ND tomorrow as many expect that will give us 20 commits with room for 5 more. Now here's where it gets fun if you're a fan of ND recruiting. 5 spots and there's probably 15 kids that we at least have a decent shot with. Coming out of the last recruiting period ND is at least co leaders with:
LB Caleb Kelly (5*) - him and his mom absolutely were blown away by the visit. ND vs Oklahoma. I will say based on comments and seeing his twitter, he "got" ND.
ILB Jonathan Jones (3*) - us and Michigan is what he told 1 writer after his visit w/ BK. At this point I don't know how much we are after him. I think he'll end up at UM b/c they are recruiting him really hard.
CB Damar Hamlin (4*) - backed off of Pitt after poor attendance at games. Likes the "stage" ND provides. ND and Penn St leaders with Pitt hanging around.
CB Troy Pride (3*) - most think its ND or Va Tech. I think he wants to stick w/ VT and is seeing how the coaching change is handled.

Those are the guys that have made public statements openly stating ND at the top or sharing the top spot. These guys now are guys who haven't openly said it, but many feel ND is either in the driver's seat or firmly in the mix to land their verbal:
WR Javon McKinley (4*) - seems like we've been the leader forever, but mom supposedly would like him to stay closer to home. Hard to guage, but he's a take if he wants in, has been shooting up the top 100 recently.
LB Jeffrey McCollough (4*) - probably the #2 player left on our board. possibly declaring at the UA game on Jan 2nd. Cancelled his A&M visit this past weekend and they think that's telling. A lot of positive news recently, including he had an outstanding in home w/ BK, who left telling someone he feels McCollough will be Irish in the end. His mom is totally on board according to Wiltfong and openly is trying to sway him to South Bend.
ATH Jordan Fuller (4*) - friends with Caleb Kelly and his family. should Kelly commit wouldn't be surprised to see Fuller follow. Loved his visit and said ND would "be hard to say no to".
WR Damian Alloway (4*) - Basically its between ND and UCLA, I put him here b/c its trending away from ND, but I think it has to do w/ is he comfortable leaving Cali more than liking UCLA better, b/c he really liked ND early. To the point most penciled him into our class last summer.
LB Jonah Morris (3*) - decommited from MSU & immediately said ND was at the top of his group. wants to play WR though and I don't know if ND has room for him there, or at LB if higher targets fall our way.
LB Brendan Ferns (4*) - highly ranked kid that few are recruiting its weird. He reached out to ND, but it seems he wants us more than we do him. Penn St bound probably.

These guys then we're in the mix but they're longer shots:
LB Ben Davis (5*) - put us in his top 5, but I cant see him passing up Bama, Georgia, Auburn, LSU to come up and play at ND. Great job by Denson to get us in this position with him though.
ATH Demitrius Robertson (5*) - #1 player left on our board. What once looked very good has slowly slipped away. He still says he wants to take another visit to ND w/ his brother. If that happens we might have a shot, otherwise, will probably head to the SEC.
CB David Long (4*) - Stanford commit that has been looking around. If he leaves the west coast its a ND/Mich battle, otherwise look for Washington to get him, don't think he will get into Stanford.
LB Aaron Hansford (4*) - funny after looking at the above posts to see him here. He lists us in his top 10 but it sounds like something happened and we're basically out of it. Might be something academically and if so we could resurge if it got straightened out, but kinda doubt it.

 

[perseverare]

Studstill, Kelly, Davis, McC. McK are the guys that are #1
Robertson would be an incredible addition to those 5

If by some luck o the Irish that happens, the staff will be very happy and fans ought be euphoric!

 

[iwish]

Thanks for the update, much appreciated

 

[D_Master]

Studstill, Kelly, Davis, McC. McK are the guys that are #1
Robertson would be an incredible addition to those 5

If by some luck o the Irish that happens, the staff will be very happy and fans ought be euphoric!

I think we take
2 LBers from Kelly, Davis, McC and Jones
1 DB (Hamlin)
1 safety (Studsill)
1 WR
1 best available