Our first preview of the 2016 class came back in the early summer on the 16th of June. Back then the Irish already had 37 offers out and that number has since grown to 68 over the past 4+ months. Before we completely turn our attention to the 2015 class and the impending National Signing Day we're here to fill you in on all the new offers and verbal commits for the current junior class.
Quarterback | |||||||||
Score | Player | State | Ht/Wt. | Temperature | 1* | 2* | 3* | 4* | 5* |
.939 | Xavier Gaines | FL | 6-2/200 | Cold | |||||
.972 | Dwayne Haskins | MD | 6-2/185 | Cold | |||||
.997 | Malik Henry | CA | 6-3/180 | Warm | |||||
.969 | Jawon Pass | GA | 6-5/225 | Cold | |||||
.984 | Shea Patterson | LA | 6-2/195 | Mild | |||||
During our preview of the 2016 class in June we mentioned that (WA) Jacob Eason .992 was going to visit Notre Dame soon, which he did. However, the Irish legacy was long rumored to be a strong Georgia lean and committed to the Dawgs in the middle of July.
Georgia lands OT Ben Cleveland and QB Jacob Eason, arguably the top two at their positions in 2016. http://t.co/RKx3Y5sSHX
— Dawg Sports (@dawgsports) July 20, 2014
Arizona once held the verbal from Shea Patterson but he's since left the Wildcats class and is back on the market. His brother was hired as an offensive assistant at LSU so it was assumed Patterson would flip to the Tigers but that hasn't happened yet. The Calvary Baptist Academy signal-caller visited Notre Dame for the Michigan game and is very high on the Irish. The staff is looking to get him back on campus soon.
Back in the summer Notre Dame made Xavier Gaines' top five and his recently updated list still features the Irish.
'16 4-star Lake Wales (Fla.) QB Xavier Gaines has 5 schools out front: http://t.co/rHXX8m4qD6 #Tennessee #Auburn #FSU #Clemson #NotreDame
— Anna Hickey (@AnnaHScout) October 23, 2014
For months now Dwayne Haskins has been linked to Ohio State and nothing has changed on that front.
Georgia quarterback Jawon Pass remains a priority for Notre Dame and the Irish are in the mix with Auburn, Alabama, Louisville, Ohio State, Virginia Tech, and North Carolina.
For some time it has appeared Malik Henry is down to a decision between Florida State and Notre Dame.
5-star QB @malik_henry16 wasn't in attendance, but is impressed by QBs for both #FSU and #ND http://t.co/9zowsbNE0l via @Noles247
— Noles247.com (@Noles247) October 20, 2014
The Californian did not visit Tallahassee for the Notre Dame game and has been rumored to be a lean to the Irish. There's been some thought that he'll be deciding sometime this fall but that timeline could be pushed back if he re-schedules a visit to Florida State.
Running Back | |||||||||
Score | Player | State | Ht/Wt. | Temperature | 1* | 2* | 3* | 4* | 5* |
.991 | Tavien Feaster | SC | 6-0/193 | Cold | |||||
.921 | Elijah Holyfield | GA | 5-11/200 | Cold | |||||
.965 | Chase Lucas | AZ | 5-11/166 | Cold | |||||
.968 | Demario McCall | OH | 5-11/180 | Cold | |||||
.855 | Deon McIntosh | FL | 5-11/170 | Cold | |||||
.994 | Kareem Walker | NJ | 6-1/210 | Cold | |||||
.965 | Robert Washington | NC | 5-10/205 | Mild | |||||
.945 | Antonio Williams | NC | 5-10/210 | Cold | |||||
Notre Dame has been busy making offers as they'll presumably be looking for more than one runner next year. Among the new offers are Feaster, Holyfield, McIntosh, McCall, and Williams. McCall is the most local of those five coming out of North Ridgeville, a suburb of Cleveland with Ohio State on the inside track. Holyfield is the son of former heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield. The Irish made the top four of former North Carolina commit Antonio Williams although he has mentioned he will not be able to visit until next fall.
Notre Dame has also offered Baylor commit (TX) Kameron Martin .943.
The lone back to visit Notre Dame so far is Robert Washington who came to South Bend back in the spring.
Athlete | |||||||||
Score | Player | State | Ht/Wt. | Temperature | 1* | 2* | 3* | 4* | 5* |
.943 | Jordan Fuller | NJ | 6-2/190 | Cold | |||||
.939 | Ahmir Mitchell | NJ | 6-2/190 | Cold | |||||
Several offers at athlete came off the board during the summer. Duke got a huge verbal from (VA) Scott Bracey .978, while Auburn picked up a verbal from legacy (SC) Stephen Davis .917, and Alabama signed up (GA) Demetris Robinson .985.
That leaves the two names left on the Big Board as new offers. Fuller is the younger brother of former Irish target and current UCLA receiver Devin Fuller. Another offer to a Jersey athlete went out to Mitchell back in September.
Wide Receiver | |||||||||
Score | Player | State | Ht/Wt. | Temperature | 1* | 2* | 3* | 4* | 5* |
.938 | Tavares Chase | FL | 6-2/167 | Cold | |||||
.915 | Donnie Corley | MI | 6-2/180 | Mild | |||||
.977 | Devin Duvernay | TX | 5-11/185 | Cold | |||||
.962 | Justin Layne | OH | 6-3/180 | Cold | |||||
.954 | Austin Mack | IN | 6-2/205 | Mild | |||||
.979 | Darnell Salomon | FL | 6-2/175 | Cold | |||||
.974 | Trevon Sidney | CA | 5-11/160 | Cold | |||||
.941 | Benjimen Victor | FL | 6-4/170 | Cold | |||||
Even with a healthy roster of wideouts the Irish are not wasting any time getting in on the 2016 receivers. Chase, Corley, Layne, Mack, Sidney, and Victor have all received offers from Notre Dame in recent months.
Justin Layne is from Cleveland and is looking hard at a bunch of northern schools like Notre Dame, Penn State, Ohio State, etc.
Donnie Corley comes from the Detroit area and visited for the North Carolina game a couple weeks ago. He is pretty high on the Irish.
Was told tonight #NotreDame is right up there with Michigan State for Detroit King 2016 WR Donnie Corley: http://t.co/8ynPBH1ahM #Irish
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong247) October 12, 2014
Austin Mack was very close to an offer during our initial '16 preview and it came about a month later. The big receiver from Jaylon Smith's former school is the top player in Indiana and plans on deciding next summer. Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Michigan look like the favorites right now.
Notre Dame has also offered UCLA commit (CA) Michael Pittman .870 out of Jimmy Clausen's former school Oaks Christian.
Miami has the early lead for the top receiver class as they've reeled in a trio of in-state prospects (FL) Sam Bruce .983, (FL) Dionte Mullins .964, and (FL) Dredrick Snelson .923.
Dredrick Snelson commits to The U #Miami - A look back at his #SCTop10 #1 play in the state championship: http://t.co/caFB9oZluW
— American Heritage (@AH__Athletics) July 12, 2014
The country's top receiver (FL) Nate Craig-Myers .995 committed to Auburn in the summer but unfortunately broke his leg and is out for the season right now.
Things haven't been going too well for Texas on the field in 2014 but they did secure a verbal from (TX) Reggie Hemphill-Mapps .945.
Tight End | |||||||||
Score | Player | State | Ht/Wt. | Temperature | 1* | 2* | 3* | 4* | 5* |
.959 | Jake Hausmann | OH | 6-5/235 | Mild | |||||
.989 | Isaac Nauta | GA | 6-5/240 | Cold | |||||
Not much going on at tight end where the Irish are still working hard for Jake Hausmann. He has been on campus several times since the summer started but Ohio State will be tough to beat as his parents both went to school in Columbus.
Notre Dame hasn't offered yet but (OH) Luke Farrell .890 is probably next in line as a target for this position.
Offensive Line | |||||||||
Score | Player | State | Ht/Wt. | Temperature | 1* | 2* | 3* | 4* | 5* |
.979 | Willie Allen | LA | 6-7/300 | Cold | |||||
.884 | Parker Boudreaux | FL | 6-4/282 | Cold | |||||
.981 | Ben Bredeson | WI | 6-5/270 | Mild | |||||
.958 | Liam Eichenberg | OH | 6-5/275 | Mild | |||||
The hot recruiting on the line has already started for 2016 as Notre Dame picked up (OH) Tommy Kraemer .986 when he visited for the Stanford game.
VIDEO: 2016 #Rivals100 4-star OL Tommy Kraemer talks #NotreDame commit: http://t.co/IfAjc5A9aY (FREE)
— Rivals.com (@Rivals) October 19, 2014
Notre Dame has also offered Boudreaux and Bredeson in what should be a cycle to be very picky. The latter athlete visited for the Michigan game.
Current Michigan commit (IL) Erik Swenson .931 is now carrying an Irish offer.
Texas A&M picked up a commitment from the country's top player over the summer in (TX) Gregory Little .999.
Liam Eichenberg is down to ND and Ohio State. He appears to be the top target on the board for the Irish.
2016 #NotreDame OL target Liam Eichenberg is focused on two programs, via @MarcGivlerBG ($): http://t.co/SwzsnHKGYa
— Jake Brown (@Jake_Brown) October 20, 2014
Eichenberg has already visited Notre Dame several times and will be going back to Ohio State next month.
Defensive Tackle | |||||||||
Score | Player | State | Ht/Wt. | Temperature | 1* | 2* | 3* | 4* | 5* |
.958 | Antwuan Jackson | GA | 6-3/265 | Cold | |||||
.991 | Dexter Lawrence | NC | 6-5/290 | Cold | |||||
.981 | Ed Oliver | TX | 6-2/285 | Cold | |||||
Notre Dame hadn't offered any tackles in our preview so now all three of these names are new. As of right now none of them have the Irish in the picture.
Defensive End | |||||||||
Score | Player | State | Ht/Wt. | Temperature | 1* | 2* | 3* | 4* | 5* |
.986 | Nick Bosa | FL | 6-2/250 | Cold | |||||
.906 | Jonathon Cooper | OH | 6-3/215 | Mild | |||||
.928 | Joseph Jackson | FL | 6-5/245 | Cold | |||||
.974 | Josh King | IL | 6-6/250 | Mild | |||||
.944 | Auston Robertson | IN | 6-5/230 | Mild | |||||
.972 | Rahshaun Smith | MD | 6-3/225 | Cold | |||||
Three new offers have gone out at end to Cooper, Robertson and Penn State commit (MD) Shane Simmons .984.
Cooper is from Columbus and will be tough to pull away from the Buckeyes. He's looking at Ohio State, Michigan State, and Notre Dame the hardest and visited South Bend this fall.
Top247 2016 DE Jonathon Cooper is "really glad" he visited #NotreDame yesterday. Talks #Irish interest: http://t.co/XTorvNgKGS #ND
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong247) October 5, 2014
Robertson comes from Fort Wayne and is rated as the second best prospect in Indiana. He's been to South Bend a couple times already and like many of the top Midwest stars is focusing on the Irish and Ohio State.
'16 IN DE Auston Robertson (@auston_robertsn) excited for his second trip to #NotreDame. (Free) http://t.co/m5xlcsxMfT
— Irish Sports Daily (@ISDUpdate) October 1, 2014
Josh King has been a top priority for Notre Dame having been offered in the spring and coming for a visit in the summer as well as for the Michigan game.
Hinsdale South (Ill.) Top50 2016 DE Josh King on #NotreDame football, "it's a strong bond I'd love to be part of." http://t.co/KOfOZURVbc
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong247) September 7, 2014
He'll be visiting Ohio State next month--easy to see who is fighting for all the top Midwest talent, huh?
Inside Linebacker | |||||||||
Score | Player | State | Ht/Wt. | Temperature | 1* | 2* | 3* | 4* | 5* |
.969 | Lokeni Toailoa | CA | 6-1/212 | Cold | |||||
.916 | Jaquan Yulee | VA | 6-2/240 | Cold | |||||
Yulee is a new offer and has North Carolina as his leader. The Irish have also offered Miami commit (FL) Michael Pinckney .883 from Louis Nix' old school Raines.
Outside Linebacker | |||||||||
Score | Player | State | Ht/Wt. | Temperature | 1* | 2* | 3* | 4* | 5* |
.990 | Caleb Kelly | CA | 6-3/215 | Cold | |||||
A curious case for (MI) Daelin Hayes .963 who has been a major target for Notre Dame since he camped during the summer and received an offer. He was set to move to California this summer, committed to USC, but a custody battle had him move back to Michigan where he's playing for Cass Tech this year.
#Rivals100 2016 LB Daelin Hayes says #Spartans and #ND have never wavered in how hard they have recruited him http://t.co/SL7jX2UZ5K
— Josh Helmholdt (@JoshHelmholdt) October 27, 2014
He's been rumored to see games at Michigan State and Notre Dame this fall but has not shown up to any of them yet and still remains a verbal with the Trojans.
Corner | |||||||||
Score | Player | State | Ht/Wt. | Temperature | 1* | 2* | 3* | 4* | 5* |
.975 | Kristian Fulton | LA | 6-0/165 | Cold | |||||
.962 | Jared Mayden | TX | 6-0/190 | Cold | |||||
.973 | Trayvon Mullen | FL | 6-2/175 | Cold | |||||
.978 | Saivion Smith | FL | 6-1/175 | Cold | |||||
.986 | Levonta Taylor | VA | 5-10/170 | Cold | |||||
Fulton, Mullen, and Smith are the new offers at corner by Notre Dame.
The Irish are not slowing down their reach into the Louisiana/New Orleans region and like what they see out of Archbishop Rummel's Kristian Fulton.
'16 LA CB Kristian Fulton (@Kriss1_) gets a NotreDame offer (Free) http://t.co/tMbu0C6M13 pic.twitter.com/9Qh6V48Wsk
— Irish Sports Daily (@ISDUpdate) September 24, 2014
Mullen and Smith are both from the Sunshine State and the former has already spoken very highly of Notre Dame and might be someone to keep an eye on into next year.
Safety | |||||||||
Score | Player | State | Ht/Wt. | Temperature | 1* | 2* | 3* | 4* | 5* |
.988 | Deontay Anderson | TX | 6-1/192 | Cold | |||||
.989 | Brandon Jones | TX | 5-11/183 | Cold | |||||
.982 | Eric Monroe | TX | 6-0/180 | Cold | |||||
NR | Devin Studstill | FL | 6-1/175 | Mild | |||||
.949 | Nigel Warrior | GA | 6-1/185 | Cold | |||||
Notre Dame had already offered 4 of the above safeties back in the early summer with Nigel Warrior being the lone recent new offer.
2016 DB Nigel Warrior @CHECK_UP_ tells me #NotreDame has offered http://t.co/rdcmUrBSLF
— Alex Gleitman (@alexgleitman) October 24, 2014
Brandon Jones showed a lot of interest in Notre Dame when he was offered months ago but he never followed through with a planned visit to South Bend this summer.
As of about 10 weeks ago Notre Dame was the declared favorite for Devin Studstill, teammate of recent Irish verbal Tevon Coney.
From tonight, Gardens' Devin Studstill celebrates a sack. Check later tonight for a gallery from this game pic.twitter.com/8p3ZRBQrr1
— PBgametime (@pbgametime) September 6, 2014