Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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and Jacob Matuska), plus losing junior Stephon Tuitt to the NFL Draft, the Irish had two-fold goals in 2014: One, sign at least five, two of them in the in- terior. Second, add an "aircraft carrier" that Eddie Vanderdoes (who bolted for UCLA after initially signing with the Irish) was supposed to be last year to replace Tuitt (never mind missing Louis Nix's girth in the middle). Summary: Notre Dame fulfilled the goal of restocking the defensive line cupboard with a six-man harvest. The angst among "recruitniks" is that the Irish might have not signed the difference-making figure, plus Kelly acknowledged that Notre Dame was somewhat scrambling at the end for interior figures because it hadn't cast a wide enough net in this area. Almost all the eggs had been placed in the Matt Elam (Kentucky) and Thomas Holley (Florida) five-star baskets. The Irish were fortunate to come up with a couple of three stars — think Kona Schwenke in 2010 — in the in- terior late in the process with Mok- wuah (originally a verbal to Rutgers) and Cage. Unlike Schwenke four years ago, both are at or near the 300-pound range. If anyone here could have a freshman presence off the bench the way Day did in 2012, it would help. On Paper Grade: B to B- There isn't the wow-factor buzz that existed when Notre Dame landed the tandem of Aaron Lynch and Tuitt in 2011, or when Vanderdoes inked on National Signing Day 2013. Still, de- fensive line coach Mike Elston has a strong track record of developing his players, and this is a group that could have top-10 potential in the long run. With the large volume, the margin of error improves. LINEBACKERS Signed: Jonathan Bonner, Kolin Hill, Greer Martini, Nyles Morgan and Nile Sykes Meeting Needs: No position was thinner than inside linebacker, where the Irish signed nobody in 2012 and just one (Michael Deeb) in 2013. At least three were needed on the inside. Summary: The Irish inked three inside linebackers with Martini, Morgan and Sykes. Chicago native Morgan was pivotal, with Kelly personally taking over his recruitment. This group's set- back came with the decommitment of Florida four-star outside linebacker Richard Yeargin III (Clemson). On Paper Grade: B+ 247Sports ranked this linebacker haul No. 5 nationally in January — but that was with Yeargin still in the fold. Bonner was viewed more as a line prospect, but at 6-3 and 245 pounds he will likely fill the outside linebacker/ defensive end hybrid role, a la current players Ishaq Williams and Romeo Okwara. Morgan will not arrive with the fanfare of 2009 five-star recruit Manti Te'o or 2013 outside linebacker Jaylon Smith, but there is anticipation that he might be able to contribute as a freshman. DEFENSIVE BACKS Signed: Drue Tranquill and Nick Wat- kins Meeting Needs: Notre Dame wasn't looking to sign more than one safety, with five-star John "JuJu" Smith (USC) at the top of the board. Although Notre