Notre Dame Football: 3 Best recruiting classes under Brian Kelly

Notre Dame football top recruiting classes under Brian Kelly: Class of 2015

For Notre Dame, the Class of 2015 would prove to be a major part of the program’s rebirth after an abysmal 2016, which saw the Irish go 4-8. These would be the leaders of the team during the 2018 Cotton Bowl run, and this is also a class that was littered with NFL talent.

Jerry Tillery, who would go on to be a first-round pick with the Los Angeles Chargers, was the headliner of the class, as his dominant 2018 season was a sign of his pure athleticism that he brought to Notre Dame. This class also gave Notre Dame Shaun Crawford, who was one of the more inspiring stories of the 2020 season, as he was able to play despite an injury-riddled career.

Add in Asmar Bilal and Te’von Coney, and the Irish were able to build a solid core to their defensive front seven with this class.

On offense, the Class of 2015 was even more impressive. Miles Boykin, now of the Baltimore Ravens, and Equanimeous St. Brown, now of the Green Bay Packers, were highlights at wide receiver. It’s also worth pointing out that this class included Jalen Guyton, who would transfer to North Texas and be a star there.

Now, Guyton is in the NFL with the Chargers.

This was also a running back-heavy class, with Dexter Williams and Josh Adams joining this class, both of whom would have standout seasons while at Notre Dame, and would go on to the NFL, with the  Packers and New York Jets respectively. Also in this group of offensive players was Alize Mack, an excellent tight end who is now with the Detroit Lions, and Brandon Wimbush.

Wimbush, who eventually transferred to UCF, was the starting quarterback before Book and was known for his athletic ability.

This is also the class that produced Justin Yoon, a consistent kicker who leads Notre Dame in points all-time. That’s massively important, and something Notre Dame has missed with Jonathan Doerer’s inconsistency in recent years.