Notre Dame Football Recruiting: Looking at the 2020 class through the lens of 2021

In the latest OFF THE RAILS show on the OFD Podcast, we took a look at the 2020 recruiting class for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and what options they have moving forward. I mentioned the 2021 class a few times and the work the Irish have already put in for that cycle and how that affects the 2020 class.

Every February, recruiting analysts talk about the two year cycle when examining the current class. It’s a really nice presentation of data — especially with redshirts. This two year cycle is almost always talked about as the last two classes. There is, however, value in looking at the next two classes in the same regard.

The 2021 class “only” has five commitments right now, but those are already affecting what the Irish are doing in 2020. The most obvious way is with the offensive line. The Irish are only going to sign two offensive line commits in the 2020 class, but have already received commitments from two of their top targets along the offensive line in Greg Crippen and Blake Fisher. Just from a numbers standpoint alone, we should probably expect a total of four or five linemen in the 2021 class.

Notre Dame’s biggest remaining need for the 2020 class is at safety. The Irish are quickly running out of options here, and their top remaining target, Lathon Ransom, is most likely going to announce for the Ohio State Buckeyes in about a week. Regardless of how the Irish finish (realistically) the 2020 class at safety, 2021 is going to be even more crucial. They only have 5 offers out there right now — although there are a handful of ATH offers that can play the position.

Heading back to the offensive side, the Irish are seemingly done for 2020. When you look at what they could have for 2021, it makes total sense as the position groups look locked in with a nice number set all around. 2021 will probably see two running backs and three more wide receivers added to the mix. They’re in good shape over here.

Defensively, the Irish seem to be taking a pass at linebacker in 2020 (unless they can somehow in get thick with Phillip Webb). This means that the Irish will need to sign at least two — or preferably three linebackers in 2021. They will also move to add another pair of defensive ends and another pair of corners. Defensive tackle is off to a good start with Rubio’s commitment, and are certainly looking to add at least one more there as well.

So as you can see, what the Irish have already in 2021 helps them figure out how to finish 2020 — just as the normal refill in the 2021 class that follows 2020. Notre Dame has 158 offers out right now in the 2020 class and 64 for 2021. We should expect the offer list to almost triple for the 2021 class over the next six months, and as that list expands, we will have an even better idea of what may happen in the future.