Notre Dame Football Recruiting: What Is Really Left On The Board?

There is no bowl game for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. No last chance on the field to impress recruits a showcase what may be needed in the future. Notre Dame still has their Echoes Award Show this weekend, and that is going to be packed with current commits and a nice handful of of uncommitted recruits. Notre Dame hopes to WOW their final targets and gain their signature on National Signing Day on February, 1.

Even with the latest attrition of players for Notre Dame, they still are somewhat tight on scholarships. The Irish have 17 commits at the moment, and would like to take at least 20 or 21.

So, we’re talking about 3-4 spots (if my math is correct... 21-17=?). Let’s take a quick look at some of those candidates. In fact, these are the 6 that I feel are the most likely to be Irish. (Not to be confused for a prediction- just the six that are closest to becoming Irish at this moment according to my gut. No science involved).

Thomas Graham has been rumored to be a huge Irish lean for a long time now. Still, this is now December and no decision has been made. The biggest competition for the Irish may be Oregon and Arizona. Oregon, unlike Notre Dame, is making a coaching change, and Arizona’s defensive back coach is leaving for Nebraska.

Chris Miller is a wide receiver prospect that is currently committed to Colorado. The Irish just recently offered Miller, and although Colorado had a stellar season, Miller has wanted the offer from Notre Dame throughout the process. He could flip to Notre Dame very soon.

Jamire Calvin has been a name that has been at the top of the board for Notre Dame for a long time. He is a highly coveted wide receiver from California and this appears to be a Nebraska / Notre Dame battle. Calvin has one official visit left and he is using it to be at Notre Dame this weekend. A great visit could very well trigger a commitment.

Antjuan Simmons is about as sure of a bet left as it gets. While nothing is officially coming out of the Simmons camp, the former Ohio State commit is tagged as a future commitment by recruiting sources. Simmons will be at Notre Dame this weekend for Echoes, and the Irish may have its replacement for the loss of Pete Werner by the end of the weekend. This is a Notre Dame / Michigan State battle with Arizona trying to elbow itself into the mix.

Joshua Paschal may be one of the most interesting and biggest players left on the board. Paschal wanted to commit to the Irish this summer, but he had some academic work to do. In a lot of those cases, either the prospect doesn’t do the work- or says he is and doesn’t do the work. Paschal, according to reports, has done the work and a commitment is now acceptable for Notre Dame. He too will be at Echoes this weekend. This is a HUGE need for Notre Dame, and this weekend is extremely important to fend off Maryland and Kentucky.

Jerron Cage is the brother of current Notre Dame defensive lineman, Daniel Cage. Jerron also has a verbal commitment to the Ohio State Buckeyes. Be that as it may, Cage has been up to Notre Dame multiple times this season, and perhaps, in the end, the pull to play with his brother may be the deciding factor. More so than any of the other six, I would say Cage is a coin flip- and a coin flip Notre Dame greatly needs to win.