Who’s Next? Notre Dame’s Top 2014 Recruiting Targets
By Andrew Hall
Nov. 17, 2012; South Bend, IN, USA; A Notre Dame flag waves in the first quarter of the game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 38-0. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-US PRESSWIRE
Recruiting is an unending process. Before one class ends, another one is already beginning. That is the fact of modern day college recruiting. Notre Dame has already landed 3 commitments in the next class. This is a unique situation for Notre Dame. These 3 commitments are Greer Martini, Justin Brent and Jay Hayes.
Greer Martini is ranked as a 4-star Linebacker recruit out of Woodberry Forest, Virginia, which is the same High School that produced Freshman C.J. Prosise and 2013 recruit Doug Randolph. Martini is ranked 190th in the 2014 class by 247Sports.com. He checks in at 6’3”, 210 lbs.
Justin Brent is Wide Receiver recruit from Speedway High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is ranked as a 4-star recruit by Rivals.com and a 3-star recruit by 247Sports.com. Brent had 54 receptions for 992 yards. He checks in at 6’3” 190.
Jay Hayes is Notre Dame’s most recent commitment. The Defensive Tackle is a 4-star recruit that is ranked 114th in the nation by 247Sports.com. He checks in at 6’5” 270 lbs. This means he can fill in for Louis Nix III when he exits after next year.
Notre Dame will need more than just 3 recruits in the 2014 class. Here are some names to become familiar with over the next year and a half:
Da’Shawn Hand, DE, Woodbridge
Hand is considered the top recruit in the country by several services. The Defensive End checks in at 6’5″ 247. The Fighting Irish probably not the favorite to land Hand. But, with a great season ending and a rich Defensive Line, Da’Shawn Hand might want to take a closer look at the Fighting Irish. Currently, the Virginia Tech and Ohio State are probably the favorites.
Jabrill Peppers, CB, Paramus Catholic
Peppers is ranked 3rd in the nation by 247Sports.com. The 5-star Cornerback checks in at 6’1” 205 lbs. At the Cornerback position, a player of his size is an imposing force. He would fit well into the scheme that Notre Dame is running currently. Bob Diaco has already visited Peppers. If they want to land him, however, they will need to beat out Stanford and Ohio State.
Sony Michel, RB, American Hertiage
Michel is considered to be a 5-star prospect by many services. He visited Notre Dame this summer but his recruitment has mainly been focused on in-state schools such as Miami (FL) and Florida State. It would be a coup for Notre Dame to pull Michel out of Florida to South Bend. It is positive that he has already visited campus.
Tony Brown, CB, Ozen
One thing that is certain about the 2014 class is that is deep in Cornerback talent and Tony Brown is one of those talents out of the state of Texas. Typically, recruits from Texas are already committed to Mack Brown by their Junior year but this is not the case here. Notre Dame should have an opportunity to actually go head to head with Texas as well as Texas A&M for a recruit.