Welcome to the 5th Annual Subway Domer’s Recruiting Spectacular. The Basterds are coming, the Basterds are coming!!! Seriously, this is one hell of a haul for Brian Kelly and all of ND Nation.
Think back to the 2008 class. That class was ranked #2 in the country on signing day, and #1 after enrollment made some obvious adjustments. However, I firmly believe that this class is better than the class of ’08. Just like great football teams, the “team” itself is greater than its members. There were not a great deal of misses in this class, and despite some of the opinions of others- I think we still got a pretty good running back for OUR system.
So, who are these crazy Basterds that have left their humble homes to join the fight against the evil empire of Troy and the wild beasts of the realm? We better find out…
Ishaq Williams
Outside Linebacker
Brooklyn, NY
HT: 6’6″
WT: 230
Rivals: 5*****
Scout: 5*****
Well known for his incredible range of killing capability, Ishaq is also breaking the mold as the only alien to play major college football. Sure, many others rock the same hair as the Predator, but how many of them have 3 hearts and bleed toxic green blood? Not many, I can assure you.
Best Trait: Knows every word ever sung by Michael McDonald
Quote: “I will straight up, punch a skunkbear in his junk, if he crosses my path.”
Ishaq is the prototypical outside linebacker in the 3-4. His athleticism trumps anything else that he brings to the table- which is a good thing. Obviously, his skills as a pass rusher are what the fans are drooling about, but what some fail to recognize, is that with his type of speed, Ishaq will be able to fill holes and stretch out plays to the outside- unless he terminates them himself. (Which he would gladly do for Bobby D).
As an early enrollee, Ishaq will have a chance to shine right away in spring ball. With the losses of Kerry Neal, and Brian Smith to graduation, there is room for Ishaq to be on the 2-Deep come fall. Outside of any injuries, don’t expect the Irish to redshirt this talented alien. The bigger question will be if he is aqble to grasp the defense as a whole, or will he be used more as a pure pass rusher like Prince Shembo in his freshman year.
KGG: Bob Diaco will tell you how important Ishaq was to this team. With his 4:30am meeting, Diaco secured a huge get for the Irish defense. Williams is listed as a 5 star player and the 16 best player in the country according to Rivals. Ishaq will play outside linebacker for the Irish and could see the field this fall. An early enrollee, Ishaq could compete for Kerry Neals vacated position this spring.
Grade….. A
Jersey…. #1
DaVaris Daniels
Wide Receiver
Vernon Hills, IL
HT: 6’2″
WT: 180
Rivals: 4****
Scout: 4****
“Double D,” as he is commonly known as, likes big women and big plays. He was never an advocate of “bros before ho’s” and thought a true bro would let you date their girl. He will steal your girl, just as quickly as he runs a skinny post. The bigger the better.
Best Trait: Born with a genetic defect that makes him better than the guy across from him.
Quote: “They told me there would be punch and pie”
Many people have forgotten the weird recruitment of Daniels. It’s not hard considering the trauma Irish fans suffered during the sagas of Ishaq, Lynch, and Tuitt in January. Daniels is the result of a successful NFL breeding project by his father, Redskins DE Phillip Daniels. Georgia (Papa Bear’s alma mater) never offered DaVaris. It came down to Miami and Notre Dame. A press conference was scheduled for DaVaris to announce that he was committing to Miami, with rumors swirling that it was because he did not meet the academic requirements necessary for Notre Dame (a rumor vehemently denied by Papa Bear). The press conference was cancelled and wekks later, Davaris gave his commitment to the Irish.
The return of Michael Floyd delays the importance of Daniels commitment. Now DaVaris has one of the best wide receivers in the country to mentor him, and show him the path to enlightenment. However, that is not to say that Daniels won’t see the field right away. The graduation of Duval Kamara, the transfer of Shaq Evans, the inability of deion Walker to find the field, and the inconsistency of John Goodman leaves a question mark as to who could line up on the other side of Floyd. There is competition at WR, but a strong fall camp could push the freshman into the 2 deep.
KGG: Daniels is a interesting prospect from Vernon Hills Illinois. I say interesting not that we don’t know where he is going to play, (WR no doubt) but the kid played everything in high school. He lined up all over the field, on both sides of the ball and returned kicks. Watching his film he looks like a young Duval Kamara (lets hope its freshman Duval not disappearing Sophomore Duval) with great hands. Again the Irish return a lot of talent at WR this fall so he might not get to play right away. He definitely will fill the void as a big and talented, sure handed receiver when Floyd leaves next year.
Grade….. A-
Jersey…. #11
Jarrett Grace
Linebacker
Cincinnati, OH
HT: 6’4″
WT: 240
Rivals: 3***
Scout: 4****
Known as the chaplain of this class, Jarrett says a prayer after every exorcism that he performs on ballcarriers. However, there is no forgiveness for any quarterback that comes across his path. Grace firmly believes that he is a prophet, and that his word shall bring about the absolute destruction of his enemies.
Best Trait: He plants an olive tree after every game.
Quote: “May the peace of the Lord be with you as you rot on this field.”
The brick foundation around the city of Cincinnati that Charlie Weis restored, now has a double-fence with razor wire, thanks to Brian Kelly. Grace is more man than boy with a 6’4″ 235 pound frame that has him physically ready to play under the Golden Dome. By nature, 3-4 linebackers are supposed to be a little bigger. Grace is already as big as the 4 guys that played that ILB spot in 2010 (McDonald, Calabrese, B. Smith, & Fox). Did I mention that he is physically ready to play?
Grace is jumping into a very deep pool of talented linebackers at Notre Dame. Even though Grace has the tools to play right away, he should be a redshirt candidate for the 2011 season. This will allow him time to develop the mental edge to accompany his physical tools. Still, it may be a couple of years before we see Grace as a “full-time” player.
KGG: Grace is a prototypical middle linebacker out of Cincinnati Ohio. A hard-nosed player, who doesn’t necessarily fill a position of need this year, but should add a great bit of depth. The inside LB position is currently being locked down by Manti Te’o and Carlo Calabrese, not to mention Anthony McDonald and several other talented players. With offers from Michigan, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Ohio State, and every other Big-10 school, I’m glad Grace wanted to be part of this special defensive haul at ND. Grace could immediately see time on special teams if need be.
Grade….. B
Jersey…. #42
Ben Koyack
Tight End
Oil City, PA
HT: 6’5″
WT: 230
Rivals: 4****
Scout: 5*****
Koyack rose from the ashes of a 1000 phoenix’s. That isn’t just prophetic, that’s the plague that God has designed for opposing defenses that would dare to try to stop us. Like the noble phoenix, Koyack will get knocked down, but he will rise again to put his cleats in some naive, linebackers ass.
Best Trait: His tears heals his own wounds.
Quote: “Why in the hell, is Mike Golic coaching Michigan?”
Yes, we will use the cliche’ of “Tight End U” while we are discussing Ben Koyack. Notre Dame has been able to land a lot of blue-chip tight ends throughout its history, but recently, the haul has been very good. Unfortunately, we have been unable to hold onto all of these kids for the whole 4 years. Koyack comes from the same type of mold as Greg Olsen, but Ben doesn’t have to worry about having a brother play with him.
Because of the great depth Notre Dame possesses at the position, Koyack will be able to sit a year, if the staff feels that it is necessary. Even if they don’t redshirt Ben, the amount of live game action at TE will be limited. However… in 2012, Mike Ragone will have left ND and that opens things up a bit. You could see a 3 man rotation with Koyack, Welch, and Eifert during the ’12 and ’13 seasons. Wow.
KGG: The next in line of talented players at TE University for Notre Dame. Koyack is a big speedy kid that will help to soften the blow at TE with Kyle Rudolph declaring for the NFL draft. Koyack is ranked is the nations leading TE on scout and is a 5 star player there as well. It will be hard to keep him off the field this year, but the Irish are stocked at the TE position. Eifert will be the starter, backed by Mike Ragone, Alex Welch and Jake Golic. Might be wise to keep his year of eligibility and redshirt this fall.
Grade….. A
Jersey…. #84
Ben Councell
Outside Linebacker
Asheville, NC
HT: 6’5″
WT: 225
Rivals: 4****
Scout: 3***
The ancient ways of Native Americans live like the spirit of an eagle in Councell’s heart. Big, strong, and proud; his natural instincts serve him well. In many ways, Ben is a spirit. His presence is cold, and envelopes any space that the football enters. Plus, he smells like cookies.
Best Trait: When angry, he will grow horns. (Total animal)
Quote: “There is nothing wrong with vampires that sparkle. Seriously.”
This kid went from flying under the radar, to headbutting the fucking screen. He was rated as a 3 star player, but he might as well have been a 1 star during the early months of recruiting. Notre Dame gained his pledge early, and laughed their asses off as his senior tape made the rounds and his showing at an all-star game blew up his street cred and he gained his 4th star. His commitment was in question- for like a minute.
Ben is entering Notre Dame with several other OLB’s, but there is an opportunity to help right away. Councell could play special teams early, and make a fight for playing time on the edge of the defense. At any rate, the Irish lose both Filer and Fleming after the ’11 season, so the battle for positioning could get interesting.
KGG: Another huge get and athlete for the Irish at the DE position. Councell is a big but extremely quick kid from North Carolina. Ranked as a 4 star on Rivals and 3 star on Scout, this kid is designed to get after the QB. Again, with the talent that is being brought in at DE, look for Councell to shift to the Dog or Cat position at Outside LB. With Kerry Neal and Brian Smith moving on from ND, it makes a bit more sense for Councell to try his luck playing with his hand off the ground. This is a kid that could see playing time early on special teams.
Grade….. B+
Jersey…. #58
Jalen Brown
Cornerback
Irving, TX
HT: 6’0″
WT: 175
Rivals: 3***
Scout: 3***
The “Shadow of Texas,” as he is known in the Lone Star state, has the ability to always be right next to his man. Homeland Security has been notified of his “gift” and have classified him as a “Chuck Norris Problem.” At any rate, his gift will always be a problem for the guy across from him.
Best Trait: He can levitate.
Quote: “In a past life, my wife called me Ghengi-poo”
If you are an “offer list” kind of guy, (like me) than you have to like what you see from Brown without even seeing him play. It isn’t filled with offers from perennial top 10 teams, but the defensive minds that wanted him are immpressive. Arizona, Wisconsin, Texas A&M, and Nebraska are 4 schools that consistently develop good defensive backs. Tadah!
HELP! HELP!! HELP!!! The depth chart at cornerback needs some serious help. Of the 4 defensive backs in this class, Jalen and Josh Atkinson are the only true corners (as of right now). The Irish have 3 scholarship CB’s returning for the spring, and have moved WR Bennett Jackson to CB to help out. Brown will have a very good opportunity to play right away. His size is PURRRRFEEECCCTTTTT for ND’s style of coverage.
KGG: Brown is an interesting prospect out of Texas. A 3 star kid with offers from just about everyone in the Big-12, Jalen chose to take his talents to South Bend. In whats a interesting talent pool for this years DB commits for the Irish (a lot of able bodied players but no real superstars) Jalen has a chance to be added to the two deep as a freshman this fall because of a lack of DB depth. Lets just hope he and his fellow DB commits can afford to redshirt this fall.
Grade….. B
Jersey…. #21
Tony Springmann
Defensive End
Ft. Wayne, IN
HT: 6’6″
WT: 260
Rivals: 3***
Scout: 3***
Giant Gingers. Tony is one of the last of their kind. Throughout history, Giant Gingers have been outkasts and were cast aside as a public nuisance. Springmann has picked up that badge of honor, and has turned it into some sort of source for a mystical power. What power? Knitting. He can knit anything, and kill you with it.
Best Trait: When someone lies to him, his hair catches fire.
Quote: “Why is Urban ‘speaking’ at ND? I hate that guy.”
Do you want to know what the easiest commitment looks like each year? Just be from Notre Dame and then offer a kid from Bishop Dwenger in Fort Wayne.This isn’t a knock on Tony, as he had a very nice offer list, but he has wanted to come to ND since he was a little fireball, and owning the Fort like he was Godzilla.
In Brian Kelly’s eyes, he sees power. Power position that is. So, it would be somewhat premature to determine what side of the ball Tony will end up on, although I believe he will ultimately end up on the offensive line. However, he should get a shot at playing DE in the fall. Look for a redshirt season here as Tony will continue to fill out his massive frame.
KGG: Springmann is a big kid out of ND’s back yard, Fort Wayne. A defensive end in HS, Springmann isn’t the highest rated recruit but he adds great depth. Many believe that he has the talent and the frame to bulk up and play on the other side of the ball. Look for Springmann to get fully entrenched in Longo’s strength training this fall and sit out a year to gain some weight.
Grade….. C+
Jersey…. #69
Cam McDaniel
Running Back
Coppell, TX
HT: 5’11”
WT: 195
Rivals: 3***
Scout: 3***
Not many people are aware that there are disciples of the Jedi way of life walking amongst us, but there is. Cam isn’t staring at goats, but he does appear to move shit with his mind, and has a premonition of where the holes in the defense are on every play. No word yet on whether or not Cam’s dad is an evil, half-robot with emotional problems.
Best Trait: Can turn himself into a vaporous mist.
Quote: “I like Elmo. That’s my main dude right now.”
If you were looking for a surprise in this class that is classified as a “pleasant” one, Cam is your man. McDaniel’s name surfaced in November, and by the end of the month he was all Irish. If you look at the film on McDaniel, you will begin to understand how good this kid could be in Brian Kelly’s offense.
There is most definitely an opportunity for McDaniel to play right away. With only 4 running backs on the roster, McDaniel will get a good look in fall camp, but he may be relegated to special teams during the beginning of the year. Because of the lack of numbers, McDaniel will probably not redshirt. After Wood and Gray, Cam will have to battle Roberson for the 3rd spot.
KGG: Cam McDaniel is the lone running back commit in this class. McDaniel played 6A ball in Texas for Coppell high and amassed almost 2,000 yard and 35 TD’s his senior year. Not a highly regarded player because of his size, but McDaniel could be the perfect fit for this spread offense. A shifty type of runner who many thought would be moved to the slot back position, should excel in Brian Kelly’s spread. With a Cierre Wood and possibly Theo Riddick in front of him, I don’t think he gets to many carries, if any this fall. He could immediately see time as a kick or punt returner this year.
Grade….. C+
Jersey…. #29
Eilar Hardy
Safety
Pickerington, OH
HT: 6’1″
WT: 175
Rivals: 4****
Scout: 4****
The Puma King of Ohio rules with an iron fist and an intelligence not found in normal humans. His high schools games were always under the threat of being “called” due to his pimp hand coming out when a wide receiver looked at him- or came near his general location.
Best Trait: The pimp hand comes out as smooth as silk.
Quote: “Pray to J I did the same ol’ same ol’!”
Hardy committed to the Irish way back in June, and has been one of the most steadfast members of this class. Only now are we hearing a lot of stories about how connected Hardy was with the other commits, and how he developed into a “glue” for this class. If you have ever heard Eilar speak, you can understand how that would happen. Smart, articulate, and ruthless.
Hardy is a versatile baller. Classified as a safety, Hardy has the size that Notre dame likes at cornerback. The moves that ND has made (pre-spring) of Jackson to CB and Collinsworth to Safety, definitely help with depth, and help ease some of the immediate need of freshman help. With that said, I ultimately think that Hardy ends up as a safety. He may spend his freshman year getting bigger and stronger, but he has enough athleticism to contribute early if needed.
KGG: Hardy is probably the most talented and gifted guy out of the DB recruits this year. Hardy is a 4 star prospect out of Ohio and should add depth to the safety position right away. A top 15 ranking at the safety position in both Rivals and Scout shows that this kid has some talent. Would love to see him add 20-25 pounds before he plays in the secondary, but this kid should be a starter at ND before his time there is done.
Grade….. B+
Jersey…. #24
Matthew Hegarty
Offensive Lineman
Aztec, NM
HT: 6’5″
WT: 265
Rivals: 4****
Scout: 4****
Because Matthew Hegarty is the bastard son of Terry Funk (look at that mug!) he constantly has to walk around with people coming at him with steel chairs, trash cans, and baseball bats wrapped with razor-wire. All this has done, has turned a genuinely sweet boy, into a fearsome destroyer of men. He smashes dudes, and has no regrets as he piledrives their ass into the turf, and walks off with their girl.
Best Trait: He has an actual USC helmet sticker on the bottom of his toilet.
Quote: “You goofy sons of bitches!”
Everybody wanted this kid. Even Texas, which has homestate lineman coming out of their asses offered Hegarty. He was one of the first commits in this class, and had he held his commitment back- he would have been one of the most talked about recruits heading into signing day. Excellent skills, but does need more size… LONGOOOOOO!!!
The Irish are building depth along their offensive line, but in no way is Hegarty any type of “filler.” He will be a starter at Notre Dame in the future, but he will most likely take a redshirt and develop. Offensive lineman, in my opinion, should almost always redshirt, so this should not be perceived as a diss. Word?
KGG: The pride and joy of Aztec New Mexico, Hegarty was a huge get for the offensive line. A highly regarded player on both scouting services, Hegarty should bulk up enough to be an athletic tackle in college. A smart and fast lineman and a basketball player as well, Hegarty is definitely the crown jewel of this offensive line recruiting haul.
Grade….. A
Jersey…. #56
Anthony Rabasa
Linebacker
Miami, FL
HT: 6’3″
WT: 220
Rivals: 3***
Scout: 3***
How old is Rabasa? He looks like he was plucked right off of a teen comedy set where the “18 year old junior” is actually a 27 year old coke addict. In reality, Rabasa is the 18 year old senior that is addicted to kicking ass, and pissing off the people of the Sunshine State. If he was 21, I would buy that man many rounds. Many rounds, for that thought alone.
Best Trait: He does not require sleep- only a new set of batteries.
Quote: “What is this, some sort of dork outreach program?”
Getting top talent out of Florida is no easy matter. Getting top talent out of Miami is even tougher. Rabasa committed to the Irish at the end of July, but they have had to fight off a lot of suitors for the outside linebacker since then. Honestly though, there was never much question. Rabasa basically put on a leprechaun outfit and put his middle finger in the air. Good kid.
Rabasa will likely start off on the outside, but he could be used as an inside linebacker if the need was there. At first glance, I would think that Rabasa would redshirt, but this kid has the motor and work ethic to make an early impression with the coaches and make an immediate impact on the field. Rabasa doesn’t get the press that some of the other defensive recruits are getting, but I’ll take a sleeper and laugh as he dominates, any day.
KGG: Another great DE from the state of Florida. Rabassa isn’t the highest ranked prospect (to the chagrin of many) at DE but a great athlete nonetheless. Anthony is believed to have been one of those underrated players his entire HS career. With offers from the likes of Miami, Florida, FSU and many other major schools, this is a great get for ND. With the depth at DE the way it is, Rabassa could to move to that outside linebacker position and start competing for playing time on special teams.
Grade….. B+
Jersey…. #49
Stephon Tuitt
Defensive End
Monroe, GA
HT: 6’5″
WT: 260
Rivals: 5*****
Scout: 5*****
If you stare long enough at Stephon Tuitt, you can see him morph into a Grizzly bear. If you stare at him longer, he will morph into a Grizzly bear and rip your fucking face off. This is no teddy bear. Legend has it, that the only reason Stephon was even considering Georgia Tech, was because he was under the impression that there was an endless supply of honey on campus.
Best Trait: He morphs into a Grizzly. What else could be better?
Quote: “When QB bleeds on the field, the eagle sees it; the deer hears it, and the bear smells it.”
How many times could Brian Kelly say “professional recruiter” on signing day without worrying about a lawsuit from Tuitt’s former HS coach? I couldn’t help but smile and laugh each time I heard it on Wednesday. Seriously though, this kid had more people in his ear than Aaron Lynch, and the fact that Notre Dame ended up with his signature is a credit to the staff… and his momma.
Because of Tuitt’s already imposing physique, he could very well line himself up as an immediate impact player on defense. He could. He is still only going to be a freshman, but by mid-year, I would be surprised if he wasn’t involved in some type of rotation at defensive end. Seriously.
KGG: Another monster get for the Irish. Rated as a 5 star player in both services, Rivals list him as the 22nd best player overall. A huge win for Kelly and co to steal this recruit from the friendly confines of Georgia. Tuitt will compete right away for the DE position and could be used a lot on rushing situations. Tuitt and Lynch will eventually anchor the defensive line on either side and could be a scary good combo for the Irish.
Grade….. A+
Jersey…. #72
Josh Atkinson
Cornerback
Livermore, CA
HT: 6’0″
WT: 180
Rivals: 3***
Scout: 3***
Josh “Butch” Atkinson is ready to destroy all of the descendants of the Trojan warrior, Lynn Swann. He was born with a hideous scar/birthmark on his right forearm. It is the sign that the Elders have been waiting for, to signal the end of the Swannites, the Kiffinites, and their followers.
Best Trait: Mind-bullets
Quote: “If he dies, he dies.”
During the recruitment of Josh, the bigger focus was on his brother George. In the beginning, the rumor was that the twin brothers were a “package” deal. That was just an ugly misconception. The two had always maintained that they were their own persons and would not be bound to one another. Notre Dame offered Josh because he’s fucking awesome, and we need help at cornerback.
Like Jalen Brown, Josh is a true corner in this class. He fits the physical profile, and the instincts that Notre Dame is looking for in its cornerbacks, and his speed is nothng to sneeze at either. There is a chance for Josh to get in a rotation at corner, as only Blanton and Gray are written in stone at corner. This is another sleeper that I see making a difference early.
KGG: Josh comes to ND as part of the Atkinson duo. Josh isn’t the highly regarded player that his brother is (3 star Rivals, 3 star Scout) but he plays a position of need for the Irish. A quick player, Josh also played RB in high school, should step foot on campus and be immediately entrenched in the cornerback camp. With Blanton and Gray entering their final year and only Lo Wood listed as the other DB on the roster with actual playing ability, its a great time to be a DB recruit at Notre Dame. Josh could be asked to redshirt this year, but that wouldn’t be the worst thing for him.
Grade….. B-
Jersey…. #43
Everett Golson
Quarterback
Myrtle Beach, SC
HT: 6’0″
WT: 170
Rivals: 3***
Scout: 4****
Also known as “Silky Johnson” on the courts, and ‘”Vladimir Korchlapalov” on the rink. he may have a multiple personality disorder, but all of his personalities (oh, yeah… he has a long list of others) have one trait in common; they distribute the rock to others. He’s a matchmaker, so his play as a quarterback is more dominant than Match.com is for single girls looking for a one night stand.
Best Trait: Keeps his head up under pressure. (Too serious for jokes).
Quote: “I love to see a fat guy score.”
For as much grief as Irish fans have given our committed guys that end up decommitting and head elsewhere; this class is full of those kids- but in our favor. Golson was a North Carolina commit for a long, long time- like 10 months long. But the NCAA investigations, and an offense that better suits his talents changed his mind. Yeah.
Golson is already enrolled and ready to get knee-deep in a quarterback battle. Kelly said he would only work with 4 QB’s directly this spring, and you would have to think that Golson would be one of those 4. (Leaving out Massa and Montana). I certainly don’t think Golson will start at any point this season, but he may still see some action if he works himself into the 3rd spot.
KGG: Brian Kelly finally got his spread QB in Golson. A dual threat QB out of Myrtle Beach South Carolina, Golson will look to compete for the starting job this fall. With a lot of talent on the depth chart ahead of him, Golson was wise to enroll early at ND. The knock against Golson is that he is to small and to short to play QB at the next level, but the kid can flat out play. He threw for over 10,000 yards in high school and 151 touchdown passes. Personally, I would love to see Golson redshirt this year. I know he is a talented kid that could give the Irish offense a spark, but with the talent ahead of him, I think he would benefit from a year of watching from the sidelines.
Grade….. A-
Jersey…. #5
Nick Martin
Offensive Lineman
Indianapolis, IN
HT: 6’5″
WT: 260
Rivals: 3***
Scout: 3***
There are ancient stories about giants that have lived in the forests of North America since the days of Pocahontas. Nick could be one of those giants- an infant giant. He walks with a thunderous motion and kicks puppies that dare cross his path. (Don’t judge him. The puppies deserved it).
Best Trait: Air guitars better than Bill, but not quite as good as Ted.
Quote: “You killed him, you medieval dickweed.”
Nick was a well known prospect to Irish fans since his brother, Zack, blew up to be the best offensive lineman for the Irish this year. However, it took a while for the Irish to offer Nick. Mick committed to Kentucky, his fathers alma mater, back in August, but after a while he had a change of heart and decided to go play ball with his brother.
Nick is not yet a polished blocker of men, and his physique needs a kick in the ass- as ALL freshman offensive lineman need. He is going to be a bit of a project, but Zach was about the same way when he came into school. Martin will be a definite redshirt and he will provide quality depth in the near future for the Irish.
KGG:Is the brother of current Irish starting tackle, Zack Martin. Originally a Kentucky Wildcat commit, Martin saw the light and committed to ND. A big gifted kid who is basically the same size as his brother was coming out of high school, he should redshirt this year and bulk up. Martin could be the talent that locks down the tackle position in the future just as soon as his brother is done with it in a couple years.
Grade….. C+
Jersey…. #71
Kyle Brindza
Kicker Canton, MI
HT: 6’2″
WT: 195
Rivals: 2**
Scout: 3***
Kyle is a certified rescue mission specialist with the US Coast Guard. You see, when there is a massive shipwreck with hundreds of people in the water, they just have Kyle kick a life preserver with a rope attatched to everyone. Hundreds.
Best Trait: He holds 426 patents.
Quote: “Deadly kick for a fat fucker, ya know that? “
Kyle wanted to be Irish for a long, long time. In fact, if certain things would have happened, he would have just finished his freshman season at Notre Dame, instead of just starting his first semester as an early enrollee.
This kid is good. Like dominant good. David Ruffer will be kicking field goals for the Irish in 2011, but Brindza will may lock down the kickoff job- and maybe the punting job. He is a versatile kicker, and the power that he kicks with is nothing that we have seen at Notre dame in a long, long time.
KGG: Ranked as the best kicker on Scout this year, Brindza immediately adds depth to the kicking department. He will replace Brandon Walker, but should still be third on the Irish kicking depth chart. Lou Groza finalist David Ruffer returns next fall with a scholarship and so does Nick Tausch, a soon to be Jr, who is 15-18 kicking field goals in his career. Brindza’s best chance of seeing the field might be on kickoffs (he can kick touchbacks, i’ve seen the film evidence) or competing for the back up punter job to Jr. Ben Turk.
Grade….. A+
Jersey…. #27
Matthias Farley
Defensive Back
Charlotte, NC
HT: 6’0″
WT: 195
Rivals: 3***
Scout: 3***
Can you play chess? Can you play chess well? OK, but it isn’t even as close to how well Farley plays chess. Three years ago he beat 20 supercomputers at once while he was taking a bath. After that stunning victory he was invited to play Wizards Chess by the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The official results from that competition are forever sealed due to an evil curse.
Best Trait: Rockin’ those dreads.
Quote: “Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet.”
Probably a bit underrated and under recruited, Farley has only played 2 years of football. That first season was enough to claim an offer from the Irish and he took that offer and turned it into a commitment like a magic trick in April of last year. Matthias is a true athlete and could play either corner or safety.
Farley is coming to Notre Dame with no pressure, and if there was any, he wouldn’t feel it. He is a bit of a jokester, and in many ways he reminds me of Sergio Brown. Brown wasn’t redshirted and i still think that was a major mistake. Farley may get that extra year to help him truly develop as a football player, but at what position? That is still uncertain, although I think he will evolve into a safety.
KGG: Farley is kid from Charlotte North Carolina that should play the Safety position at ND. Farley has been a longtime ND commit and has shown he can play both sides of the ball. With Chris Badger still on a mission and the numbers at the two safety position only being 4, Farley could see the field early this fall on special teams.
Grade….. C+
Jersey…. #14
George Atkinson III
Wide Receiver
Livermore, CA
HT: 6’2″
WT: 195
Rivals: 4****
Scout: 3***
George is also known as The Postman- because of his delivery of the goods. Not The Mailman, like Karl Malone, but more like real life future hero that Kevin Costner portrays in the future bio-pic, The Postman.
Best Trait: He makes a mean chimichunga.
Quote: “It takes one postman to make someone else a postman.”
In the beginning, George liked Notre Dame, but he never really thought he would end up there. Neither did a lot of people as he was believed to be a USC lock in the beginning. That all changed with one visit with his brother to the Notre Dame campus in September. They both committed to Notre Dame, and are part of a big trend of irish players with NFL dads.
The return of Michael Floyd helps ease the burden that could have fell on the incoming WR’s. Make no mistake about it, I fully expect george to see some playing time this year, but i am uncertain as to where that might be. Special teams is likely, but he could also be used as a running back instead of receiver. He has said as much in recent interviews. My hunch says WR, and he will be involved in the rotation.
KGG: A big, quick player out of Livemore California, George is the pearl in the Atkisnon duo. Ranked as a 4 star player and the 7th best athlete in the country, Atkisnon will play WR at ND. George has a big frame and will really benefit from some Longo type training this coming year. It may be up to him or Davaris Daniels to try and replace Michael Floyd (who was 6’3″ 195 in HS, but is now playing about 225) when he leaves next year. Depending on how quick he adapts to college life, he might struggle to see the field this fall with all 3 starting WR returning.
Grade….. A
Jersey…. #11
Conor Hanratty
Offensive Lineman
New Canaan, CT
HT: 6’4″
WT: 305
Rivals: 3***
Scout: 3***
How many Irish legacies hail from the state of Connecticut? Quite a few, but how many OWN the state of Connecticut? Just one, Conor Hanratty. The good and rich people of that state feared Conor’s wrath so much, that they handed over all of the land titles in the state. No word on how the federal government is taking this news.
Best Trait: He can widdle a very fine pipe out of birch.
Quote: ” I want 30 sliders, 5 french fries, and 4 large cherry cokes.”
Even though Hanratty is a legacy, this isn’t a Treg Duerson kind of thing. Conor is in demand, and by some big time schools that have a long history of having good, physical offensive lineman. Fortunately for the Irish, Conor committed early in the process, and there has been no wavering. Thanks dad.
As the theme is with all offensive lineman. Hanratty should redshirt, lift, eat, lift, eat, lift….. There is no real need to rush his development. Hanratty is best suited on the interior of the line, and the Irish have options there for the next couple of years.
KGG: A “big ugly” from New Haven Connecticut, Hanratty is a great pickup. Hanratty adds depth to the guard position and is big enough to play right away. The son of former ND QB and national champion, Terry Hanratty, winning is in this kids DNA. Hanratty should redshirt this year as he continues to work on his technique and improving his game.
Grade….. B-
Jersey…. #79
Brad Carrico
Defensive End
Dublin, OH
HT: 6’6″
WT: 270
Rivals: 3***
Scout: 3***
Do you know why they made a sequel to the movie, ‘Tron’? Because someone needed to tell a “based on actual events” story of Brad Carrico’s life. Carrico can enter other dimensions and totaly kick ass while making an impression on the ladies. It’s all very complicated and full of neon. You wouldn’t understand.
Best Trait: Can play the harp.
Quote: ” It’s amazing how productive doing nothing can be. “
Brad was the first commitment in this class, and as such, there is a tendency by fans to kind of forget about those that commit early. Brad had a very nice offer list from all over the east coast and midwest, and as an early enrollee, Brad will have a headstart on all of the other defensive ends in this class- save, Aaron Lynch.
Although Carrico could be used on the offensive side of the ball, I think his best talents are reserved for defense. He will have a battle on his hands for any type of playing time this year, but he should be up for the challenge. Look for a redshirt coming, and for Brad to jump headfirst into the mix next season.
KGG: Carrico is an interesting character out of what is now becoming a pipeline of players to ND from Coffman high school in Dublin Ohio (Brady Quinn, Chinedum Ndukwe, Chris Quinn in basketball). Carrico joins a talented haul of DE prospects, that is easily the best in ND history. Carrico is a big kid and has the frame to be moved to the offensive line. He is an early enrollee so he has a the jump on getting to to Coach Longo’s system. Any other year Irish fans would love to see Carrico at DE but with the incredible haul at that position this year, Carrico should switch to the offensive side of the ball and become a big, athletic, tackle.
Grade….. C+
Jersey…. #95
Chase Hounshell
Offensive Lineman
Kirtland, OH
HT: 6’5″
WT: 242
Rivals: 3***
Scout: 3***
Chase Hounshell is an energy sourcing player. Meaning, he sucks the life and energy out of others and then uses that energy against them. Such powers often leave his enemies shaking and incohherent with fear. All he needs now is a sweet cape.
Best Trait: He reads to blind, elderly, homeless people on the weekends.
Quote: “Action expresses priorities.”
Chase kind of got a bad rap from Irish fans. Hounshell committed to the Florida Gators back in August, and there were reports of a “Notre Lame” comment on his Twitter account. Regardless of the length of the road, Chase followed it all the way to South Bend, and he committed to the Irish after giving it more thought as the ND coaches continued to pursue him.
Hounshell is yet another one of those “power” guys that Brian Kelly and staff recruit to. He could be used on the line on either side of the ball. Defensive line will probably be his home for the 2011 season; a season that should see Hounshell use a redshirt as he develops physically for the college game.
KGG: Hounshell will be another interesting prospect when he arrives at ND. He has been recruited as a DE for the Irish and was previously an offensive line recruit for the Gators. He joins a talented group of DE in this haul and will need to show that he can compete at that position or be moved to the opposite side of the ball. Hounshell was a great get, snatching him from Florida, as its usually the other way around with D-lineman and the Gators. Not sure where Hounshell will end up playing in college but he’s a talented lineman nonetheless. A great last week commit for the Irish.
Grade….. C+
Jersey…. #50
Aaron Lynch
Defensive End
Cape Coral, FL
HT: 6’6
WT: 247
Rivals: 4****
Scout: 5*****
When Aaron talks about “being beasts,” he’s not joking. You see, Aaron is a werewolf. A special kind of werewolf. Aaron’s physical appearance doesn’t change, it is more of a spiritual matter. His insides mutate, and twist into a ravenous, blood-thirsty animal that is hellbent on eating all those that dare cross his path. Straight up; BEASTMODE.
Best Trait: He loves his momma.
Quote: ” I’m losing… my freaking… skull!”
There were a lot of good recruiting stories this year with all types of drama, but Lynch’s recruitment was, for me, the very best. A Florida defensive lineman commits to the irish, decommits, and commits to Florida State. That is usually when the story ends, but this time, history does not repeat itself and Lynch came back to the loving arms of Notre Dame. If you are reading this article, you already know how special his eventual commitment and early enrollment was for the program. BEASTMODE.
From the opening game against South Florida, to our eventual BCS game, Aaron Lynch will be involved in some type of rotation at defensive end for Notre Dame. His early enrollment will give him that extra leg up, to firmly put himself as a #2 on the depth chart. BEASTMODE.
KGG: Lynch epitomized the up and down roller coaster that is recruiting this year. A Notre Dame commit who sprinkled his grandfather ashes at ND, only to get told he couldn’t cut it at ND academically by FSU coaches, he switched his commitment to the Seminoles. Luckily for Irish fans, Lynch is back to anchor this dominating recruiting haul. Lynch is a 4-5 star rated player and early enrollee at ND. I can’t wait to see Lynch and Tuitt bookend the Irish defensive line in the not to distant future. Lynch could definitely see the field this fall.
Grade….. A+
Jersey…. #19
Troy Niklas
Offensive Lineman
Anaheim, CA
HT: 6’7″
WT: 245
Rivals: 4****
Scout: 4****
Known as the “Professor” to his freinds and his enemies, Troy Niklas is a smart man both on and off the field. He has decided to only use his powerful mind and frame for good. He has cleansed himself of all that is evil, and by evil we mean USC and the Kiffinites.
Best Trait: His vocabulary.
Quote: “Genius, by its very intensity, decrees a special path of fire for its vivid power.”
Niklas was a wanted man all over the country, but in the end, Troy had to decide between USC and Notre Dame. This recruitment came down to the very end, and would have recieved more attention on signing day, had Niklas pulled a midget dressed as a leprechaun out of a hat. This was a HUGE win for ND, and a much needed “power” body from California.
Niklas is versatile. So versatile, that he could be used at tight end, offensive line, or defensive end in South Bend. It really doesn’t matter. The good news, is that this is a player that can be put in a position for success for both himself and the team. He could redshirt, but it will depend on where he is placed.
KGG:Another big frame that Diaco and coach Kelly have brought in to play on the defensive line. Much like most every other player brought in on the defensive side of the ball, this kid is an athlete. He was co-lineman of the year and played offensive line, tight end, and defensive end in high school. Kelly says he and a lot of the DE’s brought in will get a chance first and foremost at that defensive end position, but he has the frame to bulk up and be an athletic tackle in the spread offense. Great signing day compliment to this class.
Grade….. A-
Jersey…. #47
Whew… I’m glad that’s over. But before we start drooling over the prospects for 2012, here are the final team recruiting rankings from 5 of the major services. Something looks out of place, but what the hell… LET’S DO SOME SHOTS!!!!
ESPN: #9
24/7: #7
Scout: #8
Rivals: #9
MaxPreps: #1
(Special thanks to Philly Kelly for the banner. Kelly has now become an official member of the Subway Domer staff- unofficially.)
