Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/259072
BY LOU SOMOGYI W hen the bar for a football pro- gram is to annually be a top- 10 contender and occasion- ally a viable participant in the four-team College Football Playoff that will begin in 2014, the grading curve of a recruiting class is elevated. For Notre Dame, here is how we evaluate recruiting talent: A — College Football Playoff Level B — Capable Of Top-10 Contention C — Top-25 Potential D — Trying To Be Bowl Eligible QUARTERBACK Signed: DeShone Kizer Meeting Needs: A staff generally wants to sign one quarterback each season, even though keeping four scholar- ship quarterbacks on the roster can be tricky. Summary: The Irish looked at several dual-threat prospects, especially Kyle Allen (Texas A&M), and some origi- nally may believe they "settled" for Kizer. A strong senior year made the four-star prospect a quality get. On Paper Grade: B Kizer is what Brian Kelly wants in a spread quarterback — pass first with the ability to extend the play and be a bona fide running threat. At 6-5, Kizer provides the height not possessed by Everett Golson and Malik Zaire (both listed at 6-0). Yet 2015 verbal Blake Barnett might arrive with the most fanfare. RUNNING BACK Signed: No one Meeting Needs: The 2013 harvest with Tarean Folston and Greg Bryant was as good a tandem as any in the country at running back, so it was not a priority this cycle. Summary: The staff still would have loved signing Elijah Hood (North Carolina), who flipped his verbal last spring from the Irish to the in-state Tar Heels. At 222 pounds, he would have provided another dimension. The Irish then pursued five-star, 225-pound Bo Scarbrough, but prying him away from Alabama was unlikely. On Paper Grade: No grade Not being able to keep Hood didn't break this class, but it would have added more sizzle to it. The "No Grade" here is based on the absence of signees at the position and the lack of a strong need to bring in a running back. The Irish will aim for another Folston- Bryant tandem in 2015. WIDE RECEIVERS Signed: Justin Brent and Corey Holmes FRONT FOCUS Line emphasis keeps Notre Dame 2014 class in top 10