Definitely Buchner better work out as the better QB because taking him over McCarthy has cost us some easy WR talent that we desperately need
This was in relation to Michigan in the Athletic Recruiting Mailbag, but I feel like it correlates to the rest of the country outside of UGA, Bama, OSU, and Clemson in recruiting:
the ebbs and flows of recruiting don't mean anything...it's who signs that matters and even then it's how they perform in 3 or 4 years that truly matters Last March/April, we lost Colzie, there were rumors that Styles might decommit and go to Mich, Shipley committed to Clemson, and everyone was up in arms about oline recruiting and really recruiting in general In the end, Colzie recommitted, Styles is at ND right now, we land two pretty darn good RBs in Estime and Diggs, and Oline looks like it might just have been elite if Blake and Spindler keep showing out and Alt develops like most expect over a couple of years. Heck, even Coogan has looked pretty darn good this spring. I'm going to be thrilled if ND lands Tobias (visiting in June) and CJ Williams (visiting in June) to go along with Amorion Walker. Sure we lack a speed element there, but maybe they get back in it with Saunders or maybe it's Bradshaw, who knows. My point is there is no reason to whine and cry right now and half the 247 board is whining and crying right now.
and just FYI, Morris apparently suffered what might a somewhat serious injury. It's probably one of the reasons he suddenly committed like he did. Best of luck to that kid and hope he gets healthy.
I could see AG going into the top 100 if he keeps improving his SR season, he certainly belongs there
pretty sure Elston mentioned this in his interview w/ the media...they were trying to organize football camps in early June so this shouldn't be a surprise Edit: apparently I missed seeing that camps were supposed to be canceled for ND. My opinion, ND is going to be WAAYYY behind all the other schools if they don't have football camps this summer because I'm guessing everyone else will.
That frosh LB Anthony Speca from Donovan Hinish's high school received his ND offer today. They talk about him like he's gonna be a 5*. At least we are getting on him early.
https://www.espn.com/college-footba...dered-expanding-playoff-include-many-16-teams It’s absolutely wild how much power they give to Swarbrick
Expansion of the CFP could mean the end of the NCAA which I’m honestly starting to think is Swarbricks goal. That pool of cash the NCAA controls should go to the schools
yeah so the issue here is that you have to consider what is worse. A team that shouldnt get a shot actually getting a shot (ND last year was an obvious example, but there have been plenty) or a team not getting a shot that should (really only can think or baylor/tcu in the first year). So i would argue its more or less the same and whilst 6 would surely rule out the best team missing the playoffs it would also allow a team that really shouldnt be there to get lucky.
Reading the Rees articles and other comments from spring ball Think ND is gonna run a lot of play action in the fall, maybe even under center. It seems like transfer QB can definitely sling a deep ball. ND doesn’t have the big possession wide outs so the offense should take a bunch of deep shots to Keys/Lenzy to keep the doubles off Mayer. Also opens up the quick game for Davis, Williams, and Tyree If the OL is competent this offense might score more points than last years squad
I like 8 for the playoff. 5 ccg winners + 3 at large determined by computer. First round hosted by 1-4 seeds. No byes.
Yes. No byes. Why make it easier for Bama and Clemson? Making all teams win three straight increases the chances of some tripping up, even if only by a little.
From Mike Singer on Mayer Spoiler I recently spoke with a source who told me that multiple NFL scouts said that if Michael Mayer were available in this year's NFL Draft, he would be a first-round pick. From what I've been told by those who have seen spring practices, Mayer is basically unguardable. Corners, safeties, linebackers -- no one can guard him. Even when he's covered, Mayer uses his body so well to block defenders from swatting away the ball. I'm expecting a huge sophomore season from Mayer.
Red Rover - can you please post the Gold Standard from today? https://notredame.rivals.com/news/the-gold-standard-latest-intel-on-notre-dame-recruiting-42
Spoiler The Latest On Jaylen Sneed *** I’ll have a video posted tomorrow with footage of Hilton Head (S.C.) High class of 2022 linebacker Jaylen Sneed from Sunday’s Atlanta Rivals Camp but wanted to mention that he was superb. He was the easy choice for the linebacker MVP and got his invite to the Rivals Five-Star Challenge this June. His combination of length, speed, pass rush ability and instincts make him a player who I believe will move up the Rivals rankings. *** As far as his recruitment goes, it’s clear to me that Notre Dame sits at the top. He mentioned that Alabama, Oklahoma, Oregon and Texas A&M are also in the mix, and while I do believe he has strong interest in the Ducks and Sooners in particular from that group, this still looks all Notre Dame. I have no reason to believe that he is a “silent commit” but from people I’ve spoken with about this recruitment, I do have plenty of reason to think that the Irish will land his commitment this summer. Notre Dame (June 14-16) is the only official visit that he’s set up so far, and I’m not sure he’ll even make it to any other places. *** I asked Sneed what his reaction is when people talk to him about Notre Dame. His answer: “It just makes me smile. It’s such a beautiful place up there. There’s a great atmosphere with great coaches. I really like the school.” *** Sneed on his June Notre Dame official visit: “I’m definitely looking forward to meeting Coach Kelly, Coach Freeman, Coach Nick and the rest of the defensive staff. I’m looking forward to seeing the facilities, weight room, field house, indoor facility, stadium and all of that.” I also caught up with Hilton Head head coach BJ Payne, who is a longtime friend of Notre Dame defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman. Here is that conversation: On Marcus Freeman in the recruitment: “He’s done a phenomenal job with his contact with Jaylen and his mom. I talk to him all the time too. He’s done a heck of a job. He’s not too overbearing on them; sometimes he’ll just check in with me and see how Jaylen is doing.” On Sneed’s interest level in Notre Dame and other schools: “Very high. In fairness to him, he just wants to see what else is out there. Before three weeks ago, he had only seen South Carolina and Florida State. Then he got to see Tennessee and obviously Notre Dame [in March]. Without the dead period, he would’ve seen 10 or 15 campuses last year. “His interest level in Notre Dame is very high. I know he’s excited to get back up there for his official.” On their self-guided tour of campus in March: “It’s a beautiful campus. He truly loved how small the campus was. You can walk from one end of campus to the other in 10 minutes. He liked everything about it. It was very eye-opening for him; he absolutely loved the campus.” 5.9 63 NATL 2 ST 8 POS JAYLEN SNEED UNDECIDED 6'2" | 210 LBS | OLB | 2022 HILTON HEAD HILTON HEAD, SC On Sneed’s mom’s interest in Notre Dame: “So far, she loves it. She just hasn’t seen the campus. She loves the coaches and the academic piece — what it means to graduate with a Notre Dame degree. She just wants to meet the coaches in-person and see the campus. Once she does that, she’ll fall in love with it.” On what Sneed’s decision will come down to: “The comfort level. Once you get to spend more than five hours at a place, you can get a better sense if it’s home for you. He really, really likes Notre Dame. He just needs to see some other places to make sure it’s the right fit for him.” ATL Rivals Quick-Hitters Sneed was the headliner at the Atlanta Rivals Camp, but there were several other Irish targets in the 2022 and 2023 classes of note. Here are the nuggets: Phenix City (Ala.) Glenwood DB AJ Harris: The nation’s No. 28 player in the 2023 class tells me that he is locked in to visit Notre Dame June 15. Following the camp, Harris spoke with Sneed and they learned that they’d be on campus together and look forward to seeing each other again. Harris’ father is a Notre Dame fan, but the Irish still have a lot of work to do to land this stud prospect. Cumming (Ga.) West Forsyth TE Oscar Delp: I spoke to the nation’s top tight end in the 2022 class, and he told me that he has had some contact with Notre Dame’s John McNulty since the decommitment of Jack Nickel. I feel strongly that Notre Dame will land Holden Staes, and the Irish are in the driver’s seat for Eli Raridon (more on Raridon shortly), but if Notre Dame misses out on one or both, they could target Delp. It would be an interesting development, but one that I don’t think we’ll end up seeing. Roswell (Ga.) Blessed Trinity RB Justice Haynes: The No. 78 player in the 2023 class per Rivals is working on locking in June visit dates, and Haynes is likely to check out South Bend. Haynes’ father played at Georgia, and the Bulldogs should be considered the early favorite, but he attends a school that is a strong profile fit for Notre Dame, and the Irish plucked JD Bertrand out of Blessed Trinity. Running backs coach Lance Taylorhas worked hard in this recruitment too. Keep an eye on Justice Haynes. 5.9 78 NATL - ST - POS JUSTICE HAYNES UNDECIDED 5'10" | 190 LBS | RB | 2023 BLESSED TRINITY ROSWELL, GA College Park (Ga.) Woodward Academy RB Damari Alston: The big-time four-star running back in the 2022 class is not at the top of Notre Dame’s board, but he is absolutely a name to monitor – and one that Taylor is keeping in contact with. Alston has spoken with Taylor about potentially setting up an official visit, although it probably won’t happen until the fall. Additionally, we’re hearing that Alston and Taylor will have a conversation today. Alston currently has June official visit dates for Northwestern and Penn State. He is the teammate of Irish 2021 safety signee Khari Gee. Columbia (S.C.) Hammond School RB CJ Stokes: The three-star class of 2022 running back is a plan A option for many Power Five schools, while the Irish have him lower on the board right now. He would be one heck of a fallback option. Notre Dame hasn’t offered Stokes, but Taylor and Co. have been keeping in steady contact. Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson DE Peter Woods: Notre Dame offered the nation’s No. 5 recruit in the 2023 class very early in the process, but Woods left Notre Dame out of his top 11 that he announced in March. Woods told me that he still has contact with defensive line coach Mike Elston. It seems like the Irish have an uphill battle for Woods though. N/A - NATL - ST - POS TROY FORD JR UNDECIDED 6'2" | 230 LBS | OLB | 2023 CALVARY DAY SAVANNAH, GA Savannah (Ga.) Calvary Day LB Troy Ford Jr.: The 6-2, 230-pounder was one of the prospects in the 2023 class who the Irish offered on St. Patrick’s Day. Ford has been keeping in contact with defensive analyst Nick Lezynski since. If Notre Dame makes Ford a priority, I have a hard time seeing them not land him, to be honest. He is really liking Notre Dame. Roswell (Ga.) High CB Ethan Nation: The standout class of 2023 prospect is good friends with the aforementioned AJ Harris and may visit Notre Dame with him in June. Notre Dame has a shot here, but it’s likely that Nation stays in the South. Eli Raridon Update *** West Des Moines (Iowa) Valley class of 2022 tight end Eli Raridon visited Notre Dame’s campus over the weekend. He got in Friday with his father — a former Irish offensive lineman in the early 2000s — and spent some time with former Irish walk-on safety John Mahoney, who attended Raridon’s high school before graduating in 2017. I was able to meet up with Raridon while I was still in South Bend over the weekend, and by all accounts, the self-guided tour went very well. *** The feeling coming into his visit was that he may commit soon afterwards and not take official visits he has scheduled for June (Iowa State, Tennessee, Notre Dame and Iowa, in that order). Of course, he would still keep that Notre Dame visit, in this scenario. Raridon wants to take his officials, but if Notre Dame is where he wants to be, then the vibe is that he would go ahead and pop. 5.7 - NATL 5 ST 22 POS ELI RARIDON UNDECIDED 6'6" | 220 LBS | TE | 2022 VALLEY WEST DES MOINES, IA *** I’ll have a full story and video on Raridon this afternoon. Here’s a quick quote: “We looked around the campus [on Friday]. On Saturday, we did the same thing – slept in a bit and then looked around even more of the school. It was just beautiful seeing this place again. I got to see the stadium; it’s even super cool to see from the outside. It’s a special place for sure.” *** I expect tight end recruiting to be done by the start of July, if not June. I don’t believe that Staes will take his June Notre Dame official visit as an uncommitted prospect, and it’s very possible that the case is the same for Raridon. Tight ends coach John McNultyand offensive coordinator Tommy Reesare working hard on both prospects.
Who the heck is AJ Harris? How did ND get. Visit from a borderline 5 star DB from Bama? wild https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2023/aj-harris-247910#school-interests
Dad is a massive ND fan from Indiana I believe. AJ legit grew up watching ND football because of dad.
As good as the 2022 defensive class is, 2023 might be even better if Freeman sticks around. What Freeman was able to do with the 2022 class only starting on the job since Jan is ridiculous. A full year to recruit the 2023 kids with real campus visits is going to be crazy.
This lead me to this website https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/college-football-tv-ratings/ it's interesting just how big the ND draw is in these numbers.