Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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FOOTBALL RECRUITING BY TOM LOY E ach Notre Dame recruiting class is filled with recruits who will be year-one contributors for the Irish, usually on special teams or in a spe- cific role. The majority of the class will likely sit out their freshmen season in an attempt to get them more prepared heading into their second season in South Bend. The following is a very early projec- tion of which class of 2015 players will see the field during their first season with the Irish. IMMEDIATE IMPACT OL TRISTEN HOGE — At 6-5, 294 pounds, Hoge has the size to play right away along the Notre Dame offensive line. That thought is only strengthened by the fact that he is enrolling early in South Bend this January. He will be on campus for seven months before the Irish play their first game, and he will likely step on campus as the third-team center with a chance to make a move up the depth chart by week one. CB SHAUN CRAWFORD — It will be diffi- cult for the Irish to keep this athlete on the sidelines. He's dynamic with the ball in his hands on offense and a shut- down cornerback in the secondary. He will immediately be in the discussion for the starting job at punt returner and will likely get an opportunity as one of the team's kick returners early in the season. LB JOSH BARAJAS — The U.S. Army All-American is probably the most college-ready linebacker in this Irish class, and he likely possesses the most upside as well. At 6-3, 218 pounds, Barajas needs to continue adding mass to his lean frame, but his speed, quick- ness and overall talent will allow him a chance for meaningful reps on the field at some point this season. Fitting In With The Irish In Year One Tristen Hoge, a 6-5, 294-pound center for Pocatello (Idaho) Highland, plans to enroll at Notre Dame in January, which will help his chances of getting on the field next fall. PHOTO COURTESY 247SPORTS