from Loy on the Tulsa Transfer Spoiler Notre Dame feels good about landing the Tulsa transfer. However, so does Missouri. Remember, his old DB coach from Tulsa is on staff with the Tigers so there are some strong ties there. That said, unless ND is misreading things after multiple conversations over the last few days, I still give the edge to the Fighting Irish. I expect something to come out within 24 hours or so.
Some of my worst childhood memories were playing little league against teams from near the MI border coming to games and ringing cowbells. That was from ages 10-15. Still haunts me.
They have elite pitching depth. But they weren't as good this year as they probably expected to be Your hitters vs their arms may be the most intriguing thing of the tourney so far
Loy scoop from II Spoiler The Irish Invasion at Notre Dame took place over the weekend. Irish Illustrated spent the past few days talking to sources and checking in on how things went with the campers in attendance. Here is some of the juice we gathered. At quarterback, it was Saline (Mich.) high school class of 2024 quarterback CJ Carr that separated himself from the pack. He, as expected, landed a Notre Dame offer and was singled out at the camp by offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Tommy Rees. He earned a ton of praise and will be a name to watch moving forward. Him and Rees really hit it off. At receiver, I’m told it was really just Deerfield (Mass.) Academy class of 2022 receiver Elic Ayomanor that will be a top Notre Dame target moving forward, at least as of right now. He had a great camp and posted some really strong testing numbers. He quickly caught the eye of receivers coach Del Alexander and the two, I’m told, were attached at the hip while he was on campus. Notre Dame offered and made it clear that they want him back soon for an official visit. At running back, I was told a few guys did well during camp. Notre Dame will surely continue to monitor class of 2023 Arthur (Ill.) Senior high school three-star running back Kaden Feagin. He stood out according to a source. In addition, I'm told class of 2023 Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco three-star running back Nygel Osborne and class of 2023 Hobart (Ind.) high school running back Trey Gibson each did enough to earn positive reviews from the staff. I'm told class of 2023 Folsom (Calif.) high school four-star tight end Walker Lyons had a strong showing and Notre Dame could eventually offer. Another standout was class of 2023 Houston (Texas) Stratford tight end Hawkins Polley, who "looked good, had strong hands, ran well." Nobody made a bigger impression along the offensive line than Ramsey (N.J.) Don Bosco Prep four-star offensive tackle Chase Bisontis. The class of 2023 prospect will be a top Notre Dame target all the way until the end of his recruitment. I’m told he had some great interactions with offensive line coach Jeff Quinn and that the assistant coach “absolutely loves him.” A few others worth monitoring moving forward include class of 2023 Dayton (Ohio) Wayne four-star offensive guard Joshua Padilla, who Notre Dame likes a lot, especially as a guy who can play center or guard and someone with a strong wrestling background, class of 2023 West Bloomfield (Mich.) high school four-star offensive lineman Amir Herring, another inside guy, class of 2023 three-star offensive tackle Dylan Senda, who is someone Notre Dame could absolutely offer down the road if he continues to trend upward in the eyes of the Irish staff, and class of 2023 Indianapolis (Ind.) Roncalli three-star offensive tackle Trevor Lauck, a strong right tackle prospect, who the Irish will track moving forward as well. It’s possible that nobody made a better impression while on campus than Mentor (Ohio) high school five-star defensive lineman Brenan Vernon. The class of 2023 recruit may be considered an Ohio State lean, but don’t tell the Notre Dame coaching staff that. They believe they have a great shot at landing him. In fact, don’t be surprised if he wraps up the month with a second visit to South Bend to hangout with the Irish coaches and players. Keep a close eye on this recruitment, ND fans. Indianapolis (Ind.) Cathedral there-star defensive lineman Kendrick Gilbert impressed enough to land an offer from Notre Dame. Defensive line coach Mike Elston and defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman loved what they saw. He’s still raw in some areas, but they see a ton of ability and upside with the in-state class of 2023 recruit. Notre Dame remains high on Frisco (Texas) Memorial class of 2023 defensive end, edge rusher Kennedy McDowell. All positive things coming out of his visit to Notre Dame. There is a strong belief that the Irish lead as of today. Mike Elston and Marcus Freeman connected well with him and he appreciated the love from the staff. Others to continue monitoring along the defensive line from this camp following strong performances in front of the staff include Omaha (Neb.) Elkhorn South class of 2023 defensive end Maverick Noonan, Troy (Mo.) Buchanan three-star class of 2023 defensive end Jahkai Lang and Pickerington (Ohio) Centarl three-star class of 2023 defensive lineman Kobi Gorman. In the “no-brainer offer” category, Baton Rouge (La.) University Lab five-star linebacker Jaiden Ausberry checks all of the boxes. The 2023 standout will be recruited heavily by Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman moving forward. I’m told he’s the real deal, obviously, but also a guy that would fit in well with what Notre Dame is doing. I’m told to keep an eye on West Bloomfield (Mich.) high school class of 2024 linebacker Kari Jackson regarding an offer from Notre Dame. I was informed that he was really impressive and a guy the Irish will surely be in on at some point. Another name to know is Indianapolis (Ind.) Decatur Central three-star linebacker Aycen Stevens, who was singled out by a source. The class of 2023 in-state prospect is one to continue keeping an eye on. “He’s easily one of the best in the country.” That was what I was told about Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman four-star cornerback Justyn Rhett. Notre Dame loves this young man and his family. The staff will be going all-in to try and land the class of 2023 prospect as soon as possible. He’ll surely blow up even more, no question, but as of right now the Irish are very much a top contender. I’m told the family left town very high on Notre Dame and more impressed than anyone expected to be. Really good work by cornerbacks coach Mike Mickens and defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman here. Notre Dame is very high on St. Louis (Mo.) DeSmet four-star class of 2023 cornerback Christian Gray. I’m told his elite speed separated him from the pack. He may not be as polished as Rhett right now, but his “upside gives him a shot to be special” per a source. I’m told the Notre Dame offer literally brought Gray to tears. Pretty cool to hear stuff like that. Spoke to a few people about Gray and they all raved about him as a young man, which is always a plus. 5COMMENTS Notre Dame liked Baton Rouge (La.) University Lab four-star cornerback Austin Ausberry and offered before his visit was complete. The class of 2022 target has a strong offer list and will be pursued by some heavy-hitters. The Irish would love to land both Ausberry brothers, but knows it’ll be a battle. Others to continue monitoring in the secondary from this camp following strong performances in front of the staff include Dallas (Texas) Jesuit three-star class of 2022 safety Robert Fitzgerald, who impressed multiple members of the staff, Harper Woods (Mich.) high school class of 2024 safety Jacob Oden, who was offered after camp, Tulsa (Okla.) Booker T. Washington defensive back Micah Tease, who was offered on Tuesday, Roseville (Mich.) high school class of 2023 three-star cornerback Amare Snowden, who was offered as well following a “terrific all-around” showing at camp, Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman class of 2024 four-star safety Kodi DeCambra and lass of 2022 Dover (NH) St. Thomas Aquinas defensive back / linebacker Cooper Blomstrom.
multiple sites keep saying to watchout for ND and Brenan Vernon. Pelican - you hearing anything or is he all locked up to OSU?
Should be Ohio State but I guess he’s been kinda quiet of late so I’m not sure what’s going on. I know no one expected him to commit early really.
Brunelle had a rough year at ND. I believe he had a pretty severe case of Covid that set him pretty far back physically based on what I heard on the different podcasts
There are only 8 receivers on the roster that were on campus this spring and that includes Kevin Austin who didn't play and a true freshman in Styles, pretty bad that he already thinks he can't contribute
I'm not one to harp on firing a coach but it's pretty clear Del has pretty much messed up the WR room and probably should have been fired already none of his recruits have panned out thus far
it also does explain why so many WR offers keep going out as well ND NEEDS Tobias and CJ along with Elic and maybe 1 more and let's just see who pans out...but numbers are an issue
Is Styles younger brother expected to play in the secondary at the next level? He’s a guy that could flip the WR narrative quickly should be end up at ND & want to play offense
Supposed to grow into the Viper role I think. At this point offer him the WR coach position to get him.
its pretty impressive how awful it has been. 2016 was the last year with succes pickups at WR with Claypool and to a lesser extend McKinley and Stepherson who both showed something. Since Del came in 2017 its been absolutely awful. 2017 Armstrong & Young. Armstrong at least did something, even if not at WR, young never delivered 2018 Austin, Keys, Micah Jones, Lenzy. Were still dreaming about what Austin couldve been but these 4 have delivered nothing 2019 Cam Hart, KAR, nothing 2020 Johnson, Watts & Brunelle, 3 times nothing thusfar and with Johnson and Brunelle on their way out it doesnt look about to change. You dont need to hit every class but thats just awful
and just to be clear on Brunelle, I don't think anyone ever believed he was going to be anything more than a depth guy, a solid #3 WR and maybe a #2 WR if he hit his ceiling, but you still need bodies to play the position and ND is running out of them
can we just quit recruiting wideouts and sign the top 5 grad transfers out the MAC each year. Cuz its clearly not working the way they are trying
Yeah it’s an issue at this point majorly. He’s not a truly proven developer and doesn’t recruit at a high level historically. Our entire outlook on this team would be different if we had talent outside the hashes. we’ll have to see what happens with this incoming class
The last 15 years of ND football is like a positional whack a mole. Under Weis the only decent positions were the QB and WRs now its about the only thing Kelly can't put together and he was brought in as the offensive guru
ND needs to find two bodies in the transfer portal at WR- they need emergency depth I mean bodies guys who might be able to do one thing and play special teams. There’s gotta be someone out there from the G5, IAA, Ivy etc available
Sidenote why the fuck did ND ever take Brunelle? I remember all of us being dumbfounded by that recruitment. I think there were like 5-6 higher rated and interested WR’s left on the board at the time
Perfectly stated, and it can't be understated that ND football seems to go opposite of CFB. When ND could get a QB, WR, and no defense, the best programs played elite defense. Now that ND can recruit defense fairly well but not WR and QB, all of CFB spreads you out and scores 50 points.
He wowed them in camp, which is scary since they seem to be all in on this Canadian dude who killed at the last camp.