Notre Dame football: Top superlatives for 2022 recruiting class
By Brad Weiss
![Nov 30, 2019; Stanford, CA, USA; A Notre Dame Fighting Irish helmet sits behind the bench during the first quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports Nov 30, 2019; Stanford, CA, USA; A Notre Dame Fighting Irish helmet sits behind the bench during the first quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/98b0fdaa0fdaa678411024fb6ec680bbbee2ad2bb6b078e1ba785160d0574e8b.jpg)
Notre Dame football: Top superlatives for 2022 recruiting class
Most Underrated (offense): Holden Staes, Tight End
The Irish have arguably the best tight end in the country coming back in 2022, as Michael Mayer will likely take home the John Mackey Award in his final season in South Bend. A likely first-round pick, Mayer has dominated the college football landscape the past two seasons and is almost ready to hand the torch over to a younger player.
In the 2022 class, Eli Raridon was the gold standard recruit at tight end, but fellow 2022 recruit, Holden Staes, is no slouch either. Staes enrolled early and was rated the No. 11 TE in the country per 247Sports.com, so expect him to make an impact when he gets his chance this season or next.
Most Underrated (defense): Jayden Bellamy, Cornerback
The cornerback position is one that I have real worries about going into next season, as Clarence Lewis took a bit of a step back last season. Sure, Cam Hart is a potential first-round pick, but we could see some of the true sophomores get their chance in 2022, especially if some of the vets struggle.
One true freshman that I could see rising up the depth chart is Jayden Bellamy, a tremendous cover corner from Bergen Catholic High School in New Jersey. Bellamy’s father, Jay, played in the NFL for over a decade, so the bloodline is there for him to be an impact player in South Bend.