Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/109499
Hunter — who can stretch the field — needs to recover from a cracked femur. Onwualu could help on defense, as Brian Kelly mentioned, a la Chinedum Ndukwe (2003-06). Robinson's 6-5 frame might make him a prototype flex-tight end in the future. Tight End Signed: Mike Heuerman and Durham Smythe Meeting Needs: Notre Dame didn't sign any tight ends in 2012, so at least two were preferred. Summary: Pennsylvania's Adam Breneman was an early popular target, but when he committed to Penn State, the Irish landed another four-star in Heuerman. Picking up Smythe from Texas, where he first committed, was a bonus. On Paper Grade: B+ Business as usual at Tight End U. It doesn't have the fanfare of five-star recruit Kyle Rudolph (2008), but Tyler Efiert didn't create that either.No school likely did better here in quality and quantity. Offensive Line Signed: Hunter Bivin, Steve Elmer, Mike McGlinchey, Colin McGovern and John Montelus Meeting Needs: Huge restocking was necessary after inking only tackle Ronnie Stanley and center Mark Harrell last year, and two or three tackles were paramount. Notre Dame hit pay dirt with five four-star players, including two or three potential tackles. Summary: The quintet was completed by April 21. Maybe the only "miss" might have been Illinois' Ethan Pocic (LSU), but this group ranks among the three or four best in the nation. On Paper Grade: AAll that is missing is the alpha, fivestar figure — an Aaron Taylor (1993), Jeff Faine (1999), Ryan Harris (2003), Sam Young (2006) or even Trevor Robinson (2008). Defensive Line Signed: Jacob Matuska, Isaac Rochell and Eddie Vanderdoes Meeting Needs: Three were necessary after signing only two in 2012 (Sheldon Day and Jarron Jones) and the transfer of Aaron Lynch to South Florida. Summary: Trailing by one with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, the Irish hit a two-run walk-off home run Feb. 6 by landing five-star prospect Vanderdoes on the inside. It was the program's greatest signing day coup since linebacker Manti Te'o in 2009. Joey Bosa (Ohio State), Alquadin Muhammad (Miami) and Kylie Fitts (UCLA) were also targeted, among others. Rochell was an A-list prospect. Matuska fits the big skill profile, but will need time to grow. On Paper Grade: B+ This was in the B- range, probably even C+, but adding Vanderdoes elevated the group's grade. Linebacker Signed: Michael Deeb, Doug Randolph and Jaylon Smith Meeting Needs: Only one linebacker was signed last year in Romeo Okwara, whose frame could morph into an end. Inside linebackers were crucial