Notre Dame Football Recruiting: Top 10 Recruiting Misses of the Brian Kelly Era
By Andrew Hall
No. 7. Will Shipley – Running Back – Class of 2021 (Clemson Commit)
Brian Kelly and the entire Notre Dame football recruiting staff went all in on 5-star Running Back Will Shipley. In Notre Dame’s quest to find elite skill players, Shipley became the center piece of the 2021 recruiting board. Shipley checked every box that Notre Dame looks for. He has elite speed. He plays at a position of great need. He embodies the ideals of what a Notre Dame student-athlete needs.
The only thing standing in the way of Notre Dame landing the 5-star player was the Clemson Tigers, one of this decade’s elite programs. The Fighting Irish did everything possible to land Shipley. Brian Kelly, who has been criticized about his recruiting prowess, was involved a lot in the recruitment of the Weddington product. In the end, playing for a team who annually makes it to the College Football Playoff and close to his home in North Carolina was too much to pass up. Shipley committed to Dabo Swinney and Clemson coaching staff on May 5th.
Why is Shipley ranked here: Shipley ranks as the 25th overall recruit in the 2021 class. He also ranked as the top all-purpose back. Adding Shipley to recent Notre Dame signees Chris Tyree, Michael Mayer and Jordan Johnson would have changed the complexion of the offense. That type of talent would give Notre Dame the ability to win a marquee game. Ultimately, Shipley may not become the “next Christian McCaffrey.” However, based on expert opinion, he will probably star for the Clemson Tigers in another College Football National Championship game. Notre Dame needs elite skill players and they missed a huge opportunity with Shipley.