Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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game two years ago — I think they did a really good job." Mike Farrell, Rivals National Recruiting Direc- tor: "This is a great job again for Notre Dame recruiting. It's maybe not as flashy or sexy as last year, but some- times that's really the best. They've had some drama the past couple years. This seems to be a pretty solid class. I think that's important." Brandon Huffman, Scout National Recruiting Analyst: "I thought they closed out re- ally strong. They got [All-American linebacker] Nyles Morgan. If they would've got him on signing day there would've been all kinds of excitement because a guy like him that commits on signing day really sends a big mes- sage. … They did such a good job in the early stages. They had three or four guys commit in the fall of their junior years, and holding on to those guys is probably the most remarkable aspect of the class." BGI: Morgan was one player that has a chance to make an impact early in his col- lege career. Our panel pegged a few other members of the class as potential contribu- tors during their freshman year. Tom Luginbill, ESPN National Recruiting Direc- tor: "Andrew Trumbetti reminds me so much of Bjoern Werner [Florida State defensive end who was a first-round NFL Draft pick in 2013] when he came out of high school. I think he's that type of player. He's a tone-setter for a defense. He's a guy that's going to play with great passion and a great motor that you love to have in your locker room. He kind of embodies what a football player is." Huffman: "[Defensive end] Grant Blankenship is another guy I think is college-ready right away. At 6-6, 264, that's pretty good size for a defensive end. … There's so much talent they got in the front seven, I think there are three or four guys that could come in and play right away." BGI: Kelly said he wanted to steer clear of the flashy players that have their sights set on an early ticket to the NFL in future recruiting classes. Our experts say it's tough to survive without a few of them on the roster. Veteran recruiting analyst Tom Lemming: "Those are the great players. If you're not look- ing for the guys that want to go three- and-out, you're cutting down almost all the super-talented guys. Everybody that's a difference-maker has an eye toward the NFL. It's not 99 percent, but 100 percent. They may not want to get Defensive linemen Andrew Trumbetti (left) and Jay Hayes (right) are among the players who could out- perform their recruiting rankings when they arrive in South Bend. PHOTO COURTESY 247SPORTS