Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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leticism down the stretch. Just as impressive was the way the staff was able to hang onto its haul during a bucking bull of a month in January. So how did this group come and stay together during the past 12 months? We received a national perspective from the top analysts at the industry's five largest recruiting services to help figure it out. 247Sports director of recruiting JC Shurburtt: "What Brian Kelly has done started with recruiting well before ... They've had outstanding classes that built to that championship game, and now it's a matter of taking it from good to great. I think this class would probably be considered great instead of the other good ones [in 2011 and 2012]. "They were already recruiting well, and now they're recruiting at an elite level." Blue & Gold Illustrated: Down the home stretch, the Irish added two elite Florida running backs in Tarean Folston and Greg Bryant. They also nabbed a commitment from California safety Max Redfield and finished on National Signing Day with California defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes, one of the top 10 talents in the country at any position. What led to the strong finish? Rivals National Recruiting Analyst Mike Farrell: "The 12-0 season. The coaches know how to recruit and they've got a great product to sell even when this team is 8-4. "But when you take Notre Dame and they're 12-0 and in a national championship, it's recruiting on steroids is what it is." FOX Sports/Scout national recruiting analyst Brandon Huffman: "It was probably a matter of finding their way around recruiting more nationally as opposed to regionally like they were used to when they were at conference schools. With Notre Dame now being back on a national scale you're not just recruiting for a national program, but one that is in the national championship picture. "It's not just those assistants, but Brian Kelly is finding his way as a national recruiter. This isn't Cincinnati and Central Michigan anymore. I think there was a learning curve for him as well." Blue & Gold Illustrated: With one more linebacker in its class, Notre Dame would have had all 22 starting positions represented in this year's class. That's a sign of a healthy approach, say the experts. Huffman: "They couldn't have done a better job of balancing out their class and getting elite players at almost every position. If you're a college coach you're taking a balanced class over one with a higher rating if it's too heavy at one position over another." ESPN director of recruiting Tom Luginbill: "Notre Dame is always going to be able to get skill. It's not a surprise that they're able to get a Greg Bryant, a Max Redfield or even a Tarean Folston, but they've got to continue to maintain a presence in the positions that matter [offensive and defensive linemen]. That will get them to the next level." Shurburtt: "That's good recruiting. So many schools lose track and over-sign