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Kiel Fallout: Targeting Quarterbacks for the 2014 Recruiting Cycle

With the transfer of Gunner Kiel the Notre Dame Fighting Irish will have to take a deeper look at the quarterbacks available in the 2014 recruiting cycle.

Tampa, Florida QB Chase Litton
Tampa, Florida QB Chase Litton
SB Nation Recruiting

As few as 2 weeks ago the prevailing mood was that Notre Dame had the luxury of either being extremely picky about taking a quarterback for the 2014 cycle or maybe even pass on a signal-caller in what is shaping up to be a very poor year talent-wise at the position.

Major programs are usually very picky about offering quarterbacks and in this down 2014 year it is more evident than ever. As a result of Notre Dame's needs and roster management only one QB has been offered with 11 months to go until the next National Signing Day.

That's plenty of time for evaluation and handing out more offers but the Irish coaching staff's plan is going to be accelerated with more emphasis placed on landing a quarterback for this class now that Gunner Kiel is leaving South Bend.

Here now is a list of those quarterbacks.

247 composite ranking in parentheses.

Brandon Dawkins

Thousand Oaks, CA (Oaks Christian)

6'3" 190 pounds (.949)

Offers: Notre Dame, Utah

HIGHLIGHTS

Dawkins is one of the top signal callers in the 2014 class and even he is only carrying two offers right now. He also remains the only quarterback with an offer from the Irish. He comes from the same high school as Jimmy Clausen and visited Notre Dame for the Stanford game this past fall.

Drew Barker

Hebron, KY (Conner)

6'4" 210 pounds (.957)

Offers: Kentucky, South Carolina, Miami, North Carolina, Louisville, Tennessee, and more.

HIGHLIGHTS

Big strong dual-threat playmaker with solid offers already. Barker visited for the Wake Forest game this past fall and loved the tradition of Notre Dame.

Shelby Spence

Chicago, IL (De La Salle Institute)

6'1" 195 pounds (Not Rated)

Offers: None

HIGHLIGHTS

Stocky athlete who has not received any offers yet. Visited for last year's spring game and is the son of a former Irish player. Spence also camped at Notre Dame last summer and did not leave with an offer.

John Wolford

Jacksonville, FL (Bishop Kenny)

6'2" 207 pounds (.860)

Offers: Miss State, Akron, Florida Atlantic, Charlotte, Idaho, Western Michigan

HIGHLIGHTS

Quarterback with quick feet and nice arm. Camped at Notre Dame last summer and did not receive an offer. He might be one of the non-elite recruits the Irish might take a second look at with Kiel gone.

Chase Litton

Tampa, FL (Warton)

6'5" 190 pounds (.880)

Offers: LSU, South Florida, Western Michigan

HIGHLIGHTS

Tall pocket-passer with decent mobility who has had contact in the past with Tony Alford. Litton has shown some interest in Notre Dame but did not camp last summer.

Morgan Mahalak

Greenbrae, CA (Marian Catholic)

6'3" 190 pounds (.880)

Offers: Idaho, South Alabama

HIGHLIGHTS

Major interest in the Irish as his dad, dad's uncle, and grandfather all attended Notre Dame. Has said that if the Irish offered he would shut things down and commit immediately. Mahalak has been to campus several times, camped last summer, and is still without an offer. He was a backup at his high school to recent Cal signee Jared Goff. The above highlights are from his sophomore season with the JV team.

Chance Stewart

Sturgis, MI (Sturgis)

6'5" 210 pounds (.890)

Offers: Wisconsin, Illinois, Toledo, Western Michigan

HIGHLIGHTS

Tall and strong-armed prospect. Stewart was committed to Wisconsin since last summer but recently left the Badgers' class. Camped at Notre Dame last summer and is looking to return for a visit soon.

Andrew Ford

Camp Hill, PA (Cedar Cliff)

6'3" 180 pounds (.900)

Offers: Temple, UMass

HIGHLIGHTS

Left-handed quarterback with a big arm. He was supposed to visit Notre Dame in the past but I have not found any confirmation that he actually did. Would the Irish sign back-to-back lefties? Has that ever happened before?

Sean White

Hollywood, FL (University School)

6'2" 204 pounds (.830)

Offers: West Virginia, Boston College, Cincinnati, South Florida, Wake Forest, and more.

HIGHLIGHTS

Solid athlete with an accurate arm. White has camped at Notre Dame twice already and called the Irish his childhood favorite team. He has said it would be hard not to commit if offered.

Ian Fieber

Mission Viejo, CA (Mission Viejo)

6'3" 185 pounds (Not Rated)

Offers: None

HIGHLIGHTS

Signal-caller from the same high school as incoming Irish freshman Max Redfield. Yet another quarterback from the 2014 class who says that Notre Dame is his childhood favorite.

~~~

Other Possibilities:

*Mike O'Connor (.885)

Tennessee product that Michigan State is in good position with.

*Luke Rubenzer (Not Rated)

Smaller quarterback from Arizona who has camped at Notre Dame.

*Ricardo Johnson (Not Rated)

Attends Cretin-Derham Hall and has received some mild interest from the Irish.

*Jalan McClendon (.870)

Prospect out of Charlotte that may be a tough pull away from the Tar Heels.

*Colar Kuhns (Not Rated)

Quarterback out of Maryland who is an Irish fan and has camped at Notre Dame.

*Jalen Greene (.900)

Attends Junipero Serra H.S. in California and may camp at Notre Dame this summer.