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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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SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 04: C.J. Prosise #20 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is tackled by (L-R) Alex Carter #25, A.J. Tarpley #17 and Zach Hoffpauir #10 of the Standford Cardinal at Notre Dame Stadium on October 4, 2014 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Stanford 17-14. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 04: C.J. Prosise #20 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is tackled by (L-R) Alex Carter #25, A.J. Tarpley #17 and Zach Hoffpauir #10 of the Standford Cardinal at Notre Dame Stadium on October 4, 2014 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Stanford 17-14. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

No. 8 – Alex Carter – Cornerback – Class of 2012 (Stanford)

Tom Carter graced the field at Notre Dame during the glory days of the Holtz era. Carter’s success in South Bend landed him in the first round of the NFL Draft. So, when his son Alex grew into a promising college prospect, it seemed natural that the Irish legacy would follow in the footsteps of his father. However, Carter spurned Notre Dame and selected David Shaw and the Stanford Cardinal.

Alex Carter immediately impacted the Stanford Cardinal. He played in all 14 games and collected 46 tackles. Carter posted similar production during his Sophomore and Junior year. He decided to forgo his Senior season and declare for the NFL Draft. The Detroit Lions selected Carter with the 80th overall selection in the 2015 Draft. Carter has failed to catch on in the NFL.

Why is Carter ranked here: Carter wanted to blaze his own trail to the NFL. The Notre Dame legacy ranked as the 66th overall recruit in the 2012 class. However, if Carter decided to join the Fighting Irish, he would have made an instant impact on the 2012 football team. Notre Dame went the majority of the 2012 season playing only four players in the secondary. Carter’s position flexibility would have given former Defensive Coordinator Bob Diaco more options. Obviously, moving KeiVarae Russell from Running Back to Cornerback worked out well. The Irish finished the regular season undefeated for the first time since 1988. He would have definitely made a more significant impact in the 2013 and 2014.

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