Notre Dame Football Recruiting: Who Signs With Notre Dame On Signing Day 2016?
By Andrew Hall
Notre Dame currently holds verbal commitments from 18 prospects. Who will the Irish coaching staff ink on February 3rd? With the season coming to a close and National Signing Day right around the corner, the question needs to be answered.
The Fighting Irish are in great position. Notre Dame currently holds commitments from QB Ian Book, RB Tony Jones Jr., RB Deon McIntosh, WR Kevin Stepherson, WR Chase Claypool, OT Tommy Kraemer, OT Liam Eichenberg, OG Parker Boudreaux, DE Adetokunbo Ogundeji, DE Julian Okwara, DE Khalid Kareem, OLB Jamir Jones, S Spencer Perry, S DJ Morgan, DB Jalen Elliot, CB Julian Love and DB Donte’ Vaughn.
Figuring out the numbers used to be easier. Since last February, Head Coach Brian Kelly has taken the motto that he will take as many as possible and work out the numbers later. Players frequently transfer, are suspended or suffer career-ending injuries. This year, despite Kelly’s efforts, Notre Dame fell below 85 scholarships. This was good news for Walk-On Running Back Josh Anderson who received a full-ride to Notre Dame.
Quarterback – 1 Commitment (0 Left)
Notre Dame holds a commitment from QB Ian Book. Since 2011, Notre Dame has not signed more than 1 Quarterback in a class. With a log jam of Quarterbacks on Notre Dame’s roster, it is unlikely that the Irish would even look at another Quarterback.
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Running Back – 2 Commitments (0 Left)
Notre Dame picked up a commitment from Fort Lauderdale product Deon McIntosh yesterday. McIntosh along with IMG Academy’s Tony Jones Jr. is a excellent haul for the Irish. Notre Dame could move McIntosh to Slot Receiver if the Irish could land a big time back like 5-star prospect Kareem Walker.
Wide Receiver – 2 Commitments (2 Left)
The Irish are likely content with the depth at the Wide Receiver position but if they can land big time players Demetris Robertson and Javon McKinley. Notre Dam e is either the top school or in the Top 2 for both prospects. The Irish are also open to landing Slot Receiver Damian Alloway who visited Notre Dame for the Wake Forest game.
Tight End – 0 Commitments (0 Left)
Notre Dame landed commitments from 2017 Tight Ends Brock Wright and Cole Kmet over the summer. With young players like Aliz’e Jones, Tyler Luatua and Nic Weishar, the Irish are unlikely to pull the trigger on a Tight End in this cycle.
Offensive Line – 3 Commitments (0 Left)
Harry Hiestand and the rest of the Irish coaching staff could not have done a better job with this year’s class. Notre Dame holds verbal commitments from OT Tommy Kraemer, OT Liam Eichenberg and OG Parker Boudreaux. The staff only missed on Ben Bredeson who committed to Michigan.
Defensive Line – 3 Commitments (1 Left)
The Defensive Line is a decent haul for Notre Dame with commitments from DE Julian Okwara, DE Khalid Kareem and DE Adetokunbo Ogundeji. Okwara and Kareem are both Top 20 Defensive Ends and 4-star players. Ogundeji is raw prospect who will take time to develop.
One big fish remains. Oluwole Betiku recently visited South Bend for the Wake Forest game. Notre Dame likely trails Texas A&M but may have made up ground. Betiku is the type of player that Notre Dame has been missing since the departure of Stephon Tuitt.
*NOTE: Prospect Daelin Hayes and commitment Jamir Jones are listed as Linebackers but will likely play with their hand down in college.
Linebacker – 1 Commitment (2 Left)
Notre Dame only holds one commitment from a “Linebacker” in OLB Jamir Jones. As stated above, Jones is probably not a Linebacker at the next level.
Notre Dame probably wants an ILB and an OLB to round out the class.
At ILB, the Irish are in on Jonathan Jones, Aaron Hansford, Caleb Kelly and Jeffery McCulloch. All players have made or will make official visits to South Bend this fall. Jones appears to be the most likely candidate.
Daelin Hayes is the main target at OLB. Hayes has been linked to Notre Dame even when he was committed to USC. Many believe that he would immediately make a commitment to the Irish after de-committing from Southern Cal. But, Hayes has taken his time in making a final decision. He made official visits to Michigan State and Ohio State. Notre Dame is still likely the final destination but Michigan State is pushing hard.
Defensive Back – 5 Commitments (2 Left)
Brian Kelly and the Irish coaching staff hold commitments from 5 Defensive Backs but would probably like to land two more before National Signing Day. Damar Hamlin and Devin Studstill are the main targets. David Long, Ikenna Okeke and Brandon Burton have also made official visit to South Bend. Notre Dame probably wants a Cornerback and Safety combination.
Most Likely Scenario?
The best case scenario is that the Irish land 7 more players for a class of 25 scholarships. But, that is probably unlikely. Javon McKinley, Daelin Hayes and Devin Studstill will end up signing with Notre Dame on National Signing Day. This will give Notre Dame a solid class of 21 prospects. If Notre Dame inks everyone that is currently committed and these three uncommitted players, the Irish will probably have a Top 10 class.