Notre Dame 2011 Recruiting: "We gonna be Beast"

Its amazing to me that this class is so deep on the defensive side, especially the edges of the front 7. Two of the top DEs in Lynch and Tuitt. Two of the top OLBs in Williams and Councell. Two other top LBs in Rabasa (on the outside) and Jarrett Grace at ILB (who barely gains a mention now but will be a household name in a few years). Four top notch DBs, three of whom will probably play as freshman (J Atkinson, Hardy, Brown) and the other will develop into a pretty good one in time (Farley). And I didn’t even mention Springmann, Carrico, Niklas (great addition) or Hounshell. Can anyone remember anything like that recently? I think not.

McDaniel will be a beast wherever he plays. Kelly was talking up Daniels already today, saying that he will probably play right away. Koyack will be a stud. G Atkinson will really surprise people (especially since he played out of position at the USAAA, he wasn’t really a safety but could be if needs warranted it with development). Golson will be a great fit for the offense. Three top OL in Hegarty, Martin and Hanratty. Oh, and the top kicker out of HS in Brindiza. Did I miss anyone? This class is far better than any of CW’s classes top to bottom.

Okotcha would have been nice to keep around, but I wish the kid all the best. Its hard to say no to a team that you grew up watching.

I can remember back in 1999 SI ran a front page story about Notre Dame football. I practically have it committed to memory, because it was pretty shocking how irrelevant they made Irish football seem. They made all sorts of excuses for why the team was down, and these excuses still exist.

It’s all a joke, of course. The only problem Notre Dame ever has with recruiting is who the coach is. If it’s a weak coach like Davie or Willingham, yeah they’re going to struggle to recruit. But Weis showed he could bring in top-notch offensive players, and now Kelly is showing you can bring in defensive line recruits that would make Alabama jealous. There is nothing intrinsic in Notre Dame that keeps them from recruiting good players. It all depends on who the coach is, not to mention his staff.

When I think of national title teams, I think of the quality and depth they have along the defensive lines. To see Kelly recruit so well along the defensive line, as well as outside linebacker, make me quite optimistic for the future. You can slow down any offense in the country with a good and deep defensive line. Florida showed it in championship games against Ohio St. and Oklahoma, and Auburn showed it this year against Oregon. Notre Dame won’t reach that level until their defensive line reaches that level, but this recruiting class is the type to get there.

Something flipped with this football program between October and November, and Kelly and his staff have found their groove. Four straight wins to close the season, and a great job recruiting. I think everyone, coaches and players, has finally settled in and now you’re going to see Kelly at his best. This is a guy who won back-to-back Big East titles with the least amount of talent in the conference. The guy can coach, and now that he has the resources to recruit the sky’s the limit.

I love Aaron Lynch. I didn’t think I could be any happier this morning until I watched his interview. His excitement about ND and the potential of this class is infectious.

Niklas is a huge get for us. To land a top CA recruit from a USC feeder school when he visited South Bend in January is frankly astounding; it speaks volumes about Kelly’s staff.

I hope he plays OT for us. Given our depth at TE and DE now, a 2nd elite OL recruit would round out this class so nicely.

One thought I forgot to add—nice job pointing out the 2012 needs. The focus in 2011 was definitely the defensive perimeter. In 2012, it has to be the interior on both sides. All the positions you listed are definite priorities.

Good job Michael.

Still paying attention to all this NSD coverage. It’s been a great day so far. I agree with all your opinions here….top notch stuff!!

i like it. I like it a lot.

Happy National Signing Day!

I think Lynch’s quote was: “We gonna be beast.”

Beast as an adjective, not a noun. And yes, he’s allowed to do that.

Jack,
   You’re right on the initial quote, of course, which was after his first verbal commitment to us. That one had real appeal because of how he used it, too. Lately, his mom and he have been using the one above. Either works for me and is descriptive of the class.
    I loved Lynch’s spirit after his interview, too.

Pablo,
    Right on, especially with the California guys – the Atkinsons and Niklas. Impressive that BK can pull in George Atkinson (ex-Raiders) and Bruce Matthews’ (ex-USC, All-Pro) nephew. Out of the only Cal offers we were really in on, we’re 2 for 3, losing only Carlisle. I don’t think USC offered Josh A.

Thanks for your comments.

Jim,

    Great insight and comment, as always. I agree on Grace’s eventual emergence as a top LB for the Irish. Chuck Martin did a great job with the secondary this year, allowing them to play 1 on 1 cover against USC and Miami. Josh A, Hardy, Brown and Farley have put themselves in good hands and in a good position.

    No one remembers a DL haul like this. Everyone gets their shots, which should create some great competition. Tuitt is a monster. Carrico, Lynch and Ishaq get an early start on the others. The offense gets some significant weapons and the defense gets some amazing difference makers.

     Sometimes it is tough judging classes – overall talent and numbers vs talent and meeting needs with lower numbers. And you can’t judge it until a couple of years or more down the road. CW’s first full class fell apart (2006) – transfers, injuries, not living up to rankings. His second (2007) contributed more with less players with the same team rankings (Rivals). His third, seniors in 2011, has been the foundation for Kelly’s success and may become a good example of a top ranked team that lived up to its expectations.

Michael —

True, it will take a few years to be able to judge this class, but there is a lot of potential immediate contributors in the group.

One other note about USC—at one point, I read that Hegarty was at the top of their list as far as targets go.

Looking back on things a bit, when CW landed Te’o, it seemed to change the perception nationally about ND going against the “big boys” in recruiting. How much of an impact does everyone think that had overall?

Chris,
   Excellent comments. I agree recruiting is about coaching, forming relationships, accurate assessments for what you need and persistence. This whole staff deserves credit. Early on, it looked like Tony Alford was excelling past the others, but that has not turned out to be the case. Kelly deserves credit for keeping much of his team from Cincy/C.Mich together in the face of talk from people who wanted coaches “more experienced”. That kind of singleness of purpose and cohesiveness is apparent to recruits.
   They have over 30 offers out to recruits for 2012. What an impressive job! Thanks for your comment.

Nice job, Michael. No more comments about ND having a ‘high school defense’ from the wingnuts at ESPN. The Beast will soon be loose. Go Irish!

Collinsworth to safety…..this is the new rumor.

Guess that might say a little something about the new receivers coming in??

I wouldn’t be surprised to see Massa to Safety either.

Eric —

I said that a few days back (and even last year). I wouldn’t be surprised to see him or Jackson returning punts in 2011. Given the lack of depth at DB, it only makes sense. Add to that losing Smith, Gray and Blanton after 2011.

One thing is certain—BK has a plan. If he hasn’t already, I am sure he will be communicating with everyone to let them know where they will be for spring practice. I am sure more of this will continue to come out over the next week or two.

I like Collinsworth and Jackson to the secondary. Smart move and one that makes a lot of sense.

Interesting that one of the position coaches (forgot which one) said that Hardy will start out at cornerback. I thought that was a little surprising.

I hope we can pick up a stud safety in the ’12 class.

Perhaps he plays a bit of the hybrid CB/S that Blanton did late last year? Just a thought.

Now that 2011 class is done, it’s time to work on needs for 2012 and look at the offers on the table already. The coaching staff has been at work on them for the last month or so – 43 offers now on the table, 38 Uncommitted, 5 committed elsewhere. (128 offers were made for 2011, so they are 1/3 there already). Anyone remember when Ty would not put out an offer until after June or Summer Camps? That’s so Willingham.

The moves to put Collinsworth and Jackson into the secondary are good ones. The Roster Breakdown above nicely fills out those holes for DB with players with a year experience, so that the freshmen may not have to appear on the two deep. We’ll have to see where Motta ends up. More freshmen may get a redshirt year in 2011.

Looking at filling needs up the middle, as of now, Kelly has 7 RB offers out (including 1 APB), 4 QB offers, 0 Centers, 4 DTs, 0 ILB, and 1 Safety. 15 Seniors to be are eligible for 5th years.

I don’t understand going after a QB in this class. Especially knowing that it’s going to be a small class. Do we really want or need SIX quarterbacks on scholarship, perhaps with 4 or 5 of them with 3 or 4 years left of eligibility?

If you want to do that with running backs, sure that makes a lot of sense. And even if there is a complete stud who might come to South Bend, doesn’t the coaching staff feel that way about Golson, Hendrix and Crist?

I’d still like a stud safety…6’4" 220 and runs like a deer and hits like a truck. I’d be happier if the coaching staff focused on that more than clogging up the QB race.

Am I crazy?

Michael —

Do those numbers reflect the offers that went out this week? I have to believe that Kelly is going to move a G over to C in spring ball or fall camp. The question is who?

Eric —

The safety you speak of is someone they missed out on in the 2010 class—Anthony Barr. Still can’t figure that one out. 6’4" is asking a lot, I would be happy with 6’1" and all those attributes. Another Bruton would be welcomed.

As far as going after another QB, I think you have to get one a year. Its no secret that I am one of the biggest Crist supporters out there, but I honestly think that 2011 is his last year at ND. If he gets hurt again he is done and if he plays well he goes pro. I really don’t see a third scenario. That leaves Hendrix, Rees, Massa and Golson as Montana would be done as well. As BK alluded to, someone is going to have to look at another position to get any playing time, most likely Massa (does anyone have an idea on his speed?). It looks like the offers have gone out to Gunner Kiel (Blair’s nephew), Maty Mauk (Ben’s brother who played for BK at Cinci), Cyler Miles and Jameis Winston. Another QB likely to get an offer is Gary Crow. Winston is from AL, so he would be tough to get. I would expect to see BK have one committed by the beginning of the summer.

If this is Crist’s last year than it makes a little bit more sense. I’m just not sure if he plays well that he will not come back, especially if there’s the allure of a title or BCS bowl victory.

Eric,
   I, too, think you take one QB a year. What happened when we missed one in the 2009 class was that when Crist was hurt we only had Montana and Rees, who was there due to E.E. Mauk is very good, fits well into BK’s system and his interest in ND shows with his third visit in a year for Jr Days at the end of the month.
   As far as the other four offers, Kiel and Miles are the studs. Winston is an Ala target even though they have one QB committed (6 verbal commits so far for 2012).
   I would not be surprised if BK took two QBs or one real stud. USC will have a real numbers crunch this year – and already have four verbal commits.
   Jim is right on with all his comments.

Jim,
    I think someone does get moved to Center, possibly Hanratty. The staff had a chance to offer Ryan Kelly, 2011’s #1 Center, but wanted to concentrate on OTs. He went to Ala. I have Martin at Guard. Looks like all the OT offers may push Nick inside.

   As far as the lack of Safety offers, only 1, Collinsworth and maybe Massa move to Safety plus Badger may return for 2012.

   Interesting to review the positions where our recent Safeties played in h.s. Only Slaughter and Bruton were strictly DBs in h.s. Zibby, both McCarthys, Harrison Smith were all QBs like Massa. Ndukwe was a WR. Motta was a LB.

Eric,
   I found your Safety, 6’4", a little heavy at 258.
http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/chicago-bears-sth/brian%20urlacher%20michael%20vick%201.jpg

Michael —

I agree with Hanratty moving to C and Martin is almost certainly a G (based on height alone). Not surprised he played T in HS based on his size alone. Hounshell projects at G as well if he gets switched to OL, while Carrico and Springmann would be T. I think this just shows that BK can mold a guy into a particular position © and doesn’t necessarily have to recruit the best at that position like previous coaching regimes. Watt spent some time there in camp, but I have him penciled in at LG.

It will be interesting to watch the QB situation shake out for 2012 recruiting. Who does BK really want? Kiel is more of a pocket passer while Miles is the dual threat. Mauk really looks interested. You could be right about two in this class, but one will have to change positions.

I forgot about Badger, as he will be back for 2012. Good point about HS QBs moving to S. QB in HS is usually one of the most athletic players on the team, so it only makes sense. You can succeed by developing players there, but with the numbers crunch I think you have to err on the side of landing a few true S along with a few developmental ones.

Does Urlacher have eligibility left? Just kidding…