Notre Dame Football: The 2016 Defensive Recruiting Class

Sep 13, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Mike Kasalo of South Bend, Indiana wears a hat with a miniature of the Notre Dame Golden Dome as he walks outside Lucas Oil Stadium before the game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Purdue Boilermakers. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

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Sep 26, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Isaac Rochell (90) is congratulated by cornerback Cole Luke (36) after making a tackle against the University of Massachusetts Minutemen at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame defeats Massachusetts 62-27. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

2017

The next recruiting cycle for the incoming class of 2017 may get a lot more specialized. This class did a lot to help balance out the numbers at all three levels, but the lack of one or two elite players will not only make the Irish hungry to go out and sign one or two (or *gulp* three), but it will also make Notre Dame that much more attractive an option for some players who look at depth charts and numbers as a part of their school evaluation.

Look for the most pressing need to be at middle linebacker. If Brian VanGorder is sticking around for a few more years (and that’s a big if) Notre Dame is in need of a middle linebacker that has an extrememly high football IQ and has the athletic ability to make and create plays.

Next: Top 30 Irish Players Ever

Go Irish!

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