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Notre Dame Football Recruiting: Top 10 Recruiting Misses of the Brian Kelly Era

By Andrew Hall

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 28: Pete Werner #20 of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts against the Clemson Tigers in the first half during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 28: Pete Werner #20 of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts against the Clemson Tigers in the first half during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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ORLANDO, FLORIDA – JANUARY 26: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys runs with the ball during the 2020 NFL Pro Bowl at Camping World Stadium on January 26, 2020 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – JANUARY 26: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys runs with the ball during the 2020 NFL Pro Bowl at Camping World Stadium on January 26, 2020 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

No. 1. Ezekiel Elliott – Running Back – Class of 2013 (Ohio State)

In a 2015 interview, the current Dallas Cowboys star called Notre Dame his “dream school.” Notre Dame offered the standout from John Burroughs School in Saint Louis, Missouri. So, why did Elliott choose the Buckeyes over the Irish?

“I kind of felt they wanted me to be more of a defensive player from the coaching staff,” Elliott said. Notre Dame was not the only school to recruit him on that side of the football but it was enough for him to pass on his “dream school.”

Elliott hit the ground running in Columbus. In 2013, he carried the ball 30 times for 262 yards. Following his Freshman campaign, Elliott burst to stardom leading the Buckeyes to the National Championship in 2014. That season, he rushed for 1878 yards and 18 touchdowns. During his Junior season, Elliott produced similar numbers rushing for 1821 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Next. Notre Dame needs to allow student-athletes back to campus next month. dark

Why is Elliott ranked here: Elliott is the perfect combination of a player who Notre Dame should have landed, who produced at an extremely high level in college and would have fulfilled a need for the team. Notre Dame received solid production from its Running Backs in 2013, 2014 and 2015. However, no Irish Running Back performed the way that Elliott did. In 2015, Notre Dame was down to a convert Wide Receiver in CJ Prosise and a Freshman in Josh Adams. If he was in blue and gold instead of scarlet and gray, the Irish probably make the College Football Playoff in 2015. Would Notre Dame have won the title with the addition of Elliott?

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