Offense Recruiting Big Board: 9.3.13

CHECK OUT THE NEW LOOK OFD RECRUITING BOARD!

Welcome to the revamped Big Board here at One Foot Down. We'll alternate an offense and defense post every week (unless news is really slow) with the hope that the recruiting coverage is a little more streamlined and easier to follow.

Score indicates 247 Composite ranking.

With DeShone Kizer already a part of this class and no more offers out it appears Notre Dame will only take one quarterback this cycle.

Running Back
Score	Player	State	Ht/Wt.	Temperature	1*	2*	3*	4*	5*
.999	Leonard Fournette	LA	6-1.5/226	Cold
.985	Joe Mixon	CA	6-2/195	Cold
.944	Derrell Scott	NC	5-11/180	Cold
.921	Donte Thomas-Williams	NC	6-0/209	Mild

With Elijah Hood leaving the class and joining North Carolina it's left the Irish with slim pickings at running back. Fournette is not a realistic option, Notre Dame didn't make Mixon's recent top five, and Scott seems to be slowly fading away.

Notre Dame is still in Thomas-Williams' top four with West Virginia, Florida State, and Clemson although the Irish may be running last out of that group. For now it may be a case of turning up the heat on DTW or possibly move forward with the intent on skipping running backs this cycle with all 6 players returning next year.

Wide Receiver
Score	Player	State	Ht/Wt.	Temperature	1*	2*	3*	4*	5*
.925	Johnnie Dixon	FL	5-10/187	Cold
.985	Malachi Dupre	LA	6-2/187	Cold
.970	Josh Malone	TN	6-2/190	Mild
.846	Isaiah McKenzie	FL	5-8/160	Hot
.981	Speedy Noil	LA	5-10/176	Cold
.943	Trevion Thompson	NC	6-2/177	Cold

K.D. Cannon went to Baylor, Cameron Sims to Alabama, Trey Quinn to LSU, and Saeed Blacknall to Rutgers.

The Irish haven't been in it with Dixon, Noil, or Thompson, and didn't make Dupre's top four last month. Malone has shown interest in the past but he's been quiet for a long time. That leaves the speedy Isaiah McKenzie who wants to verbal but is still working through the admissions process. Right now, the only official visit McKenzie has scheduled is to Notre Dame.

Athlete
Score	Player	State	Ht/Wt.	Temperature	1*	2*	3*	4*	5*
.970	Budda Baker	WA	5-9/174	Cold
.890	Noah Brown	NJ	6-2/212	Cold
.978	Michiah Quick	CA	6-0/170	Mild
.987	Ju Ju Smith	CA	6-1/200	Mild
.936	Nathan Starks	CO	5-11/200	Cold

Ohio State snagged Curtis Samuel last month and The Ol' Ball Coach picked up a commitment from Terry Googer.

Budda Baker remains a long shot still, and Brown didn't put Notre Dame in his top 8 while Ohio State is believed to lead for his services.

Starks is still on the Irish radar but faces a steep uphill climb to work his way back into the Administration's favor after being kicked out of Bishop Gorman. Quick and Smith are still scheduled to visit for the USC game and remain the staff's highest priorities as true dual-threat athletes.

Tight End
Score	Player	State	Ht/Wt.	Temperature	1*	2*	3*	4*	5*
.955	Tyler Luatua	CA	6-4/230	Mild
.948	Dalton Schultz	UT	6-5/215	Cold

It's a pretty interesting situation at tight end where the Irish really don't need anymore bodies (6 players on campus next fall assuming Niklas isn't leaving early and Weishar remains a part of the class) but a pair of interested prospects remain on the board.

Luckily, Luatua is open to playing on both sides of the ball and the Irish staff may prefer him there anyway. He looks to be coming down between Alabama and Notre Dame. His decision may affect the pressure applied to Schultz in the coming months.

Offensive Line
Score	Player	State	Ht/Wt.	Temperature	1*	2*	3*	4*	5*
.922	Natrell Curtis	AZ	6-3/285	Cold
.979	Damien Mama	CA	6-4/370	Cold
.992	Damian Prince	MD	6-6/300	Cold
.975	Braden Smith	KS	6-6/290	Cold
.960	Donell Stanley	SC	6-4/327	Cold
.961	Casey Tucker	AZ	6-6/270	Cold

The only news to report was Ross Pierschbacher flipping from Iowa to Alabama.

A couple months ago Braden Smith looked like the only possible candidate on the above list but he's apparently moving on looking at Alabama, TCU, and Texas A&M.

With 4 linemen currently a part of the class there's no huge need here. Damien Mama is still interested and will visit for the USC game. He could potentially play on the defensive line too---something that is probably very enticing for the Irish coaches.

Irish Commits
Score	Player	State	Ht/Wt.	Position	1*	2*	3*	4*	5*
.907	DeShone Kizer	OH	6-5/207	Quarterback
.941	Justin Brent	IN	6-3/190	Wideout
.923	Corey Holmes	FL	6-2/175	Wideout
.877	Nic Weishar	IL	6-5/223	Tight End
.900	Jimmy Byrne	OH	6-4/290	Offensive Line
.930	Sam Mustipher	MD	6-3/285	Offensive Line
.969	Quenton Nelson	NJ	6-5/295	Offensive Line
.952	Alex Bars	TN	6-6/287	Offensive Line

Kizer went 13 for 28 for 185 yards and 1 touchdown and 1 interception in Central Catholic's 21-14 win over DeLaSalle.

Brent has been moved to running back this fall and his Speedway team lost their second game of the season 35-0 to Scecina Memorial. Brent rushed for 73 yards on 12 carries and also caught a couple passes.

Corey Holmes caught one pass for 20 yards in St. Thomas Aquinas' big 38-3 win over Miami Northwestern.

Marist lost to St. Rita but Nic Weishar caught 4 passes for 56 yards.

Mustipher's Good Counsel team lost their opener but beat Florida's Immokalee 33-0 this past Friday.

Jimmy Byrne and St. Ignatius lost their season opener 29-20 to Brother Rice.

Alex Bars and Montgomery Bell Academy moved to 2-0 on the season with a 55-8 win over Hamilton.