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Notre Dame Football Recruiting: 2018 Early Enrollees

By Andrew Hall

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 02: Notre Dame Fighting Irish players celebrate following a game against the Temple Owls at Notre Dame Stadium on September 2, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. The Irish won 49-16. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 02: Notre Dame Fighting Irish players celebrate following a game against the Temple Owls at Notre Dame Stadium on September 2, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. The Irish won 49-16. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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With only one game left, the next year’s team is beginning to take shape with the help of the 2018 Notre Dame football recruiting class.

Shortly after Notre Dame battles LSU, the team will reconvene in South Bend and begin preparations for the 2018 year. Early enrollees join those who plan to return. Here is a brief review of the early enrollees for this class.

Running Back Jahmir Smith

The prospect from Sanford, North Carolina joins a relatively crowded backfield with Josh Adams, Tony Jones Jr., Dexter Williams, Deon McIntosh, and CJ Holmes possibly returning to Notre Dame. With so many players potentially ahead of him, he likely will not play in 2018.

Wide Receiver Micah Jones

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Jones enters Notre Dame with less fanfare than the other Wide Receiver prospects. Regardless of his recruiting numbers, the position group remains unsettled. With an excellent spring, Jones could enter the mix in the fall.

Linebacker Jack Lamb

Notre Dame loses Linebackers Nyles Morgan,  Greer Martini and possibly Te’von Coney. Most likely, Drue Tranquill and Coney start at the Rover and Mike positions in 2018. The competition for the Buck spot may be fierce. Lamb projects as a Buck. He enters the spring with a chance to land a starting spot.

Linebacker Matthew “Bo” Bauer

Bauer projects as a Mike in Elko’s defense. Most likely, Coney moves over to play the position in 2018. However, if he leaves for the NFL, the spot opens. Regardless, the depth at the position is thin. Bauer can add to that depth.

Linebacker Ovie Oghoufo

Oghoufo’s athleticism means that he plays Rover at the college level. Tranquill still likely plays at the position in 2018. Behind Tranquill, it is unclear what the situation is. Does Asmar Bilal move to Buck or continue to back up Tranquill? Oghoufo likely needs time to develop his body before he contributes.

Tight End George Takacs

Nic Weishar, Brock Wright and Cole Kmet hold down the Tight End position. Alize Mack’s future is unclear. Takacs most likely takes time to develop in the weight room before playing.

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Cornerback Houston Griffith

Of the early enrollees, Griffith’s combination of talent and opportunity means he is most likely to play. As of today, Griffith ranks as the top recruit in the 2018 class. His development might alter Notre Dame’s plans in the secondary. If Griffith, along with Nick Watkins, Troy Pride, Shaun Crawford and Donte Vaughn, progress, playmaker Julian Love could move from Cornerback to Safety.

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