Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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36 FEBRUARY 2023 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED FOOTBALL RECRUITING It was a great recruiting win for the Irish. Some p u n d i ts b e l i eve d t h a t Absher was trending to- ward Clemson, but it was Notre Dame that landed his commitment in May, a couple weeks after he visited for the Blue-Gold Game. Absher has played in a run-heavy scheme in high school and doesn't get too many pass-blocking opportunities, but he projects to be a multi-year starter at the next level. Absher, who is a top-60 player na- tionally in On3's own rankings, is the No. 13 offensive tackle and No. 179 overall prospect in America per the On3 Consensus. 12. KENNY MINCHEY QB • 6-2, 207 HENDERSONVILLE, TENN. • POPE JOHN PAUL II H.S. Notre Dame's quar- terback recruiting in the 2023 class was quite the saga. The Irish were in the mix early with several tal- ented signal-callers but missed out on all of them. The staff turned to Minchey in late July, but he was solid with his Pitts- burgh commitment. After time went on, he decided to open things up and flipped his pledge to the Fighting Irish. He is an outstanding student and leader, and he's also pretty darn good at throw- ing the football. Minchey, who comes from the same high school that produced former star Irish receiver Golden Tate, is the No. 13 quarterback and No. 184 overall player in the nation. 13. RICO FLORES JR. WR • 6-0, 177 NORTH HIGHLANDS, CALIF. • FOLSOM H.S. This is not something that was discussed much, but Flores has only visited Notre Dame once, which makes it so impressive that the Irish were able to hold on to his pledge. Of- ten times, West Coast players who are committed to Notre Dame for a while but can only make one visit out to cam- pus are difficult to hold on to, especially when that trip occurs six months before signing day. But Notre Dame kept Flores solid, and the Irish are getting a highly productive, polished pass catcher who can play in the slot and outside. Flores is the No. 30 wide receiver and No. 219 overall prospect in the land. 14. DEVAN HOUSTAN DL • 6-4, 275 MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO • ST. JAMES SCHOOL (MD.) This is a recruiting win and high-level prospect who I think Notre Dame nation may have for- gotten about. Landing him over Penn State and Michigan was absolutely huge. His brother played basketball for the Wolverines, and Michigan seemed to have the inside track for him. But the culture of Notre Dame was big in selling Houstan on committing to the school. On the field, he's a big-bodied, versatile defensive lineman who offers a high ceiling with his athleticism and frame. The Irish staff has a ball of clay to work with. Houstan is the No. 31 defensive line- man and No. 236 overall prospect in the country. 15. COOPER FLANAGAN TE • 6-5, 239 PLEASANT HILL, CALIF. • DE LA SALLE Flanagan didn't have gaudy stats at the high school level because of the run- heavy offense he played for, but he's honed in on his blocking and has flashed his ability as a big-play weapon. On the seven-on-seven circuit, he's shown just how good he is as a route runner and consistent threat down the field. We expect to see that at Notre Dame. Flanagan is the all- around package as a tight end. As far as his recruitment goes, he picked Notre Dame early on during his junior year of high school. Alabama, LSU and Miami offered him after he pledged to the Irish, but the four-star prospect never looked back from his commitment. Flanagan is the No. 14 tight end and No. 240 overall prospect nationally. 16. BRANDYN HILLMAN ATH • 6-1, 191 PORTSMOUTH, VA. • CHURCHLAND H.S. Pound for pound, Hill- man might just be Notre Dame's best pure ath- lete in the 2023 class. He played quarterback and safety at the high school level, and in South Bend he could play either of those spots, as well as running back, wide receiver or maybe even rover. Hillman was a "late bloomer" — he didn't hold any FBS offers going into his senior season — but blew up with a handful of offers once film of him play- ing more than just quarterback sur- faced. Notre Dame was one of the first schools to the party and went after him hard. It was a great recruiting effort by the staff. He went from an unranked player to a four-star prospect in the matter of a month or two. He is the No. 9 athlete and No. 279 overall prospect in the land. 17. BEN MINICH S • 5-11, 185 WEST CHESTER, OHIO • LAKOTA WEST H.S. No t re Da m e h os te d Minich for a camp during the summer and the staff liked what they saw. They didn't offer at that point but did so in July, and it was essentially a foregone conclusion before he'd end up picking the Fighting Irish. Minich is a versatile, speedy athlete who excelled at wide receiver and safety ON3 CONSENSUS 2023 TEAM RECRUITING RANKINGS As of Jan. 2 Rk. School Commits 1. Alabama 28 2. Georgia 26 3. Texas 23 4. Miami 36 5. Ohio State 20 6. Oklahoma 25 7. LSU 25 8. Notre Dame 24 9. Oregon 29 10. Florida 20