Notre Dame Football Recruiting: Top 10 Recruiting Misses of the Brian Kelly Era
By Andrew Hall
No. 6. Taylor Decker – Offensive Lineman – Class of 2012 (Ohio State)
Following a 6-6 terrible season, Ohio State landed the biggest recruit in the land, Urban Meyer. Meyer immediately went to work doing what he does best, recruiting. One of his earliest targets was Vandalia, Ohio native Taylor Decker.
Since March of his Junior year, Decker was committed to playing his college football in South Bend. All of that changed when Meyer gained power in Columbus in November 2011. Notre Dame desperately tried to hold onto the future first round draft pick. Initially, it looked like it might work. Decker named Notre Dame his leader despite pressure from the Buckeyes. The staff even got him back on campus for a visit. Eventually, Meyer broke through and landed a commitment from the 4-star prospect.
Decker went on to win a national championship with Ohio State. Perhaps, adding injury to insult, the Buckeye Left Tackle shoved Jaylon Smith after the whistle in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl. This caused Smith to blow out his knee and suffer nerve damage. It threatened Smith’s football career. Thankfully, Smith overcame.
Why is Decker ranked here: As a recruit, Taylor Decker ranked as the 163rd best player in the 2012 class. Obviously, Decker had a fabulous college career highlighted by national title. The Detroit Lions selected Taylor Decker with the 16th overall selection. Notre Dame’s need for Decker might not have been the greatest from 2012 to 2015. Decker probably would have replaced future first round selection Mike McGlinchey at Right Tackle. This would have given the Irish an extremely experienced Right Tackle along with Left Tackle Ronnie Stanley.