Notre Dame football: 10 Key targets in the 2023 class

Sep 18, 2021; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman leaves the field after Notre Dame defeated the Purdue Boilermakers at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2021; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman leaves the field after Notre Dame defeated the Purdue Boilermakers at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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Notre Dame football
SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 18: Bo Bauer #52 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is seen after the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Notre Dame Stadium on September 18, 2021 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame football: 10 Key targets in the 2023 class

Dante Moore and David Hicks

When people point to recruiting rankings or the star ratings of a prospect, they can get a little annoying. They shout about star ratings so much that it can set you on edge, and almost hope that teenagers bust just to prove that those rankings aren’t perfect. The thing is that we all know recruiting and scouting are imperfect sciences.

However, by accumulating as many five and high four-star recruits as possible, you do two things. The first is you have a higher likelihood of landing a once in a lifetime player. The second is you build a depth of incredibly talented players, so you’re less affected by injuries.

So, Notre Dame needs to add as many highly rated prospects as possible. The Irish are certainly targeting plenty of them, too. Among the best who the Irish need to continue to make a hard push for are Dante Moore and David Hicks.

Dante Moore is a five-star quarterback from Detroit, Michigan. Moore is already projected to be a first-round NFL Draft pick. It also looks like there is going to be a four-way battle to land his services between Notre Dame, Penn State, Michigan, and Michigan State among 33 total offers. In other words, getting him to South Bend would be an accomplishment for Tommy Rees and the offensive staff.

Hicks, on the other hand, is a five-star defensive lineman from Texas. He, like Moore, is already projected as a first-round draft pick. This is largely due to his ideal size and athleticism, which he can spend his time in college building on. That’s huge going forward for every college team. As of right now, six teams are battling for Hicks, but Texas A&M is leading the way.