Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1491978
74 MARCH 2023 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2023 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY MIKE SINGER N otre Dame signed a 24-man class that was No. 9 in the country per the 2023 On3 Consensus Football Team Recruiting Rankings. And the Irish al- ready have a terrific head start on the 2024 cycle. The Irish have eight com- mitments in the upcoming class — five of whom play offense and three line up on defense. The following is a breakdown of who is committed, who the top targets are and how many players are expected at each position for the Irish in the 2024 class. All rankings listed are according to On3. QUARTERBACK Committed: 1 Projected Take: 1 Synopsis: Notre Dame has Saline (Mich.) High's CJ Carr — the No. 12 sig- nal-caller and No. 138 overall player in America — committed, but the news of offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Tommy Rees leaving the Irish for Alabama for the same position was an interesting development. Carr has been the face of Notre Dame's class and a very active recruiter for the Irish. The news of Rees' departure is not expected to impact Carr, though. Multiple sources indicate that Carr will remain solid with his pledge to the Irish. Alabama already has a quarterback pledge in the 2024 cycle from Carls- bad (Calif.) High's Julian Sayin, and it would be a surprise if the Crimson Tide target Carr moving forward, consider- ing Sayin's pledge. Who Notre Dame does hire as offensive coordinator will be important for Carr, but if all goes well on that front, there should be no reason for concern. RUNNING BACK Committed: 1 Projected Take: 2 Synopsis: After taking just two run- ning backs in the past two classes, the expectation is that Notre Dame will take a second ball carrier in addition to Hannibal (Mo.) High's Aneyas Williams, the country's No. 16 running back and No. 185 overall prospect. There's not a strong sense as to who that player will be yet; the Irish have offered double- digit running backs but not many of them have been to campus yet. Sources are buzzing about Lufkin (Texas) High's Kedren Young, who is the No. 30 running back and No. 300 overall prospect nationally. Notre Dame offered him Jan. 31, and he's already building a strong connection with the Irish coach- ing staff. Young hasn't been to Notre Dame yet, but a visit should occur this spring or summer, if not both. Tampa (Fla.) Carrollwood Day's An- thony Carrie, Hollywood (Fla.) Cham- inade-Madonna Prep's Davion Gause and Chicago Mount Carmel's Darrion Dupree are more names to watch. WIDE RECEIVER Committed: 1 Projected Take: 3 Synopsis: The Irish had a fantas- tic receiver haul in the 2023 cycle and are already off to a great start in 2024 with a commitment from Glen Ellyn (Ill.) Glenbard South's Cam Williams, A Look Ahead At The Class Of 2024 Saline (Mich.) High standout CJ Carr, who is rated as the No. 12 quarterback and No. 138 overall player and in America by On3, is expected to remain solid in his Notre Dame commitment despite Tommy Rees' departure for Alabama. PHOTO COURTESY ON3.COM