Notre Dame Football Recruiting: Top Remaining Targets (Updated: September 15, 2014)
By Andrew Hall
Notre Dame received their last commitment on July 2nd. The Irish holds 17 commitments in the 2015 class. The exact number of scholarships Notre Dame will grant is still up in the air.
One of the reasons the scholarship number is in the air is the five Notre Dame Football players who remain in limbo. If all five are suspended, transfer or declare for the draft, number of scholarship will jump.
Currently, the Notre Dame only has one scholarship remaining for the 2015 season. However, that number will undoubtedly balloon regardless of the results of the Notre Dame hearings. For example, Nicky Barrati could become another casualty of chronic injuries and seek a medical scholarship. The Irish Coaching Staff will continue to recruit several recruits. This week’s Top 5 remains the same. Here are the top 5 players remaining on the board in 2015 (new information for recruits is bolded and italicized):
Nov 24, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish cornerback KeiVarae Russell (6) intercepts a pass intended for Southern California Trojans receiver Marqise Lee (9) at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports
5. Ykili Ross — Cornerback — Riverside, California
247: 82nd Rivals: NR ESPN: 294th Scout: 169th
Ross recently tweeted about his desire to return to Notre Dame. The 6-2 185 lbs. Cornerback from Riverside, California originally visited Notre Dame on June 25th. He has a return trip scheduled for October 4th.
Ross plays for Polytechnic High School. There is some argument to what position Ross will play in college. He has been extremely successful playing both ways in high school.
In his Sophomore and Junior seasons, Ross collected 38 tackles, 4 interceptions, 9 passes broken up and 1 force fumble. He caught 45 passes for 935 yards and 12 touchdowns as well.
With Notre Dame’s success at Wide Receiver recruiting this cycle, Notre Dame would likely pursue Ross as a Cornerback instead of a Wide Receiver. But, it is an added bonus to potentially land a player with such position flexibility.
USC is likely the current favorite but Notre Dame is a close 2nd.