Notre Dame Football Recruiting Update: Prospects, All-Star Games, And Visitors

The clock is slowly down towards National Signing Day and Notre Dame is desperately trying to add more components to its recruiting class. The deck is somewhat stacked against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish as they are in a very expansive coaching overhaul. Two of Notre Dame’s best recruiters are now gone (Mike Denbrock and Scott Booker) and they just recently hired a defensive coordinator (Mike Elko) to replace Brian VanGorder who was fired back in September.

These aren’t the best conditions to finish strong on the recruiting trail. Consider that Notre Dame is in need of more defensive recruits, but went about 2 and a half months without a defensive coordinator after finishing with a very bad 4-8 record. Recruiting is hard, and the circumstances Notre Dame has been working under make it much harder.

With all that said, Brian Kelly and his staff are doing all they can (presumably) to finish strong. There are no real hopes of a Top 10 finish, but staying in that Top 15 area is still doable. That certainly isn’t the standard Notre Dame fans would like to see, but given the circumstances, it could be a lot worse. Adding another very well-known and good recruiter in Chip Long certainly helps.

Let’s dive in and take a look at what’s left for Notre Dame.

Prospects

Here is a list of possible prospects that Notre Dame has offered or is close to offering. This isn’t the entire list because a lot of those names are no where near thinking about Notre Dame as a landing spot right now. We’re trying to keep it real here:

Let’s address these players very quickly:

• Foster Sarell is the biggest fish on the market, but he probably won’t leave the Pacific.
• Jamire Calvin was heavily recruited by Denbrock and Corn.
• Oliver Martin might be a slight lean to the Irish.
• Michael Smith is completely under the radar and Notre Dame has the biggest tower.
• Ryan Johnson has Notre Dame in his final group, but South Bend isn’t in Alabama.
• Jerron Cage would make a great 2 bros story if Ohio State stays Ohio State and fills up.
• Ellis Brooks... lots of ground to make up against a turtle.
• Antjuan Simmons might be the best bet of all.
• Evan Fields might only leave Oklahoma City for a paid visit.
• Jason Pinnock could deny the Jesuits a commitment.

Jason Pinnock is the only one here without an offer, but that could come very soon- at least according to him. It’s hard to say how much this list might expand in the next week or two with Notre Dame’s recent hires of Brian Polian, Mike Elko, and Chip Long, but I imagine a few names will emerge.

Visits

Notre Dame is setting itself up for a busy January in regards to visitors.

January 20

• Evan Fields
• Michael Smith
• Antjuan Simmons

January 27

• Jason Pinnock
• Ellis Brooks

Just like the prospect list, the visitor list may change with the addition of several names. Actually, if one changes the other is sure to change. That’s how these things work.

Recruiting All-Star Games

I said I’d keep it real, so here is the realest statement you will hear... high school all-star games that revolve around blue-chip players and public commitments are a wretched horrible by-product of the early 2000’s. It’s horrible football and just a chore to watch. But... we watch it anyways so we can get a glimpse of our future right there on our television screens. Here’s what’s coming up:

Under Armour Game

January, 1
ESPNU
1:00 PM EST

Notre Dame Commits

The easiest player to keep an ey on will be quarterback Avery Davis, but David Adams and Paulson Adebo should flash on the screen as well.

As far as uncommitted prospects to watch, the newly sought after linebacker Ellis Brooks will be there as well.

The list of prospects that Notre Dame lost out on is enough to make you cry.

Army All-American Game

January 7
NBC
1:00 PM EST

Notre Dame Commits

It’s interesting that two different tight end commits for the Irish are playing in these all-star games. While they are different types of players, we can maybe learn something about them in comparison.

There are 3 uncommitted prospects to watch as they will all three be making their decision at the game (as far as we know right now).

• OL Foster Sarell
• WR Oliver Martin
• WR Jamire Calvin

Realistically, Notre Dame may get Martin, but that’s still very much up in the air. Would love to be proven wrong here (obviously).

How Much Room Is There In South Bend?

According to the scholarship chart, there is only one spot left, but Notre Dame can (and will) make room for the right players.