Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/234294
FAN FORUM FROM THE WEBSITE With Notre Dame's recruiting class already at 22 verbally committed players Dec. 16, the following question was asked on BlueandGold.com: "If Notre Dame could take only one more player who would it be?" Among the several dozen replies, there was a split among Kentucky nose guard Matt Elam (who later dropped the Irish from consideration), California safety John "JuJu" Smith and Illinois inside linebacker Nyles Morgan. Here were some opinions, including the BlueandGold.com staff: Tom Loy: JuJu is a difference maker. Shelby Irish: Morgan. Not a sure thing — but a position of need. Eastcoastirish: JuJu. We've already signed a bunch of DL and LB, even though no true nose tackle. NDFAN: Receiver Isaiah McKenzie would be the electric joy stick game changer. Kaelman: Matt Elam is a five-star (technically) at a position of need with no true fit on the current roster. Hodges: We've seen him play several times and he is a difference maker. With that said, JuJu doesn't play MLB, so my pick is Morgan. Edd1066: Elam would be a top vote if I thought we had a shot. LouSomogyi: Stephon Tuitt for his senior year. I think of WIN. What's Important Now. NYDomer310: I agree on Tuitt. He's a "six-star" recruit. With Tuitt Notre Dame will seriously contend for a playoff spot next year. Without him, against that schedule, it would be really tough. Bigazzry: Morgan. JuJu would be a bonus, but we still have three more years with Max Redfield and Nick Baratti and two more years with Elijah Shumate and Eilar Hardy. Tshea: Of our high school recruits, Morgan, because of need at ILB. The most needed is Tuitt. Our nose tackles will get the job done if there is a healthy Tuitt and Sheldon Day flanking them. GreekActorI: Morgan has the greatest potential to be immediate impact. Rsharman: Elam for sure at NT, but Morgan a close second. JoeRicoI: There are very few high school DT recruits who can start as freshmen. If they land Elam, it's unlikely he will ever play significant time alongside Tuitt. Star69: Most important, Morgan. One I'd want the most is JuJu. Like Tom said, a difference-maker. Convincing defensive end Stephon Tuitt to return for his senior season could end up being Notre Dame's biggest remaining victory on the recruiting trail. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA