Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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FOOTBALL RECRUITING from a background that understands the preparation and commitment nec- essary to winning. "When we recruit, we don't recruit it through anybody else's lenses, but our own," Kelly said. The 2015 Fighting Irish haul was ranked as high as sixth in the na- tion (Scout.com) and as low as 13th (247Sports and ESPN). In between was Rivals.com at 11th. Will that be enough to close the gaps against the Ohio States, Alabamas and USCs of the world? It will have to be collectively, because Kelly's staff has assembled three straight classes that have ranked among the top dozen by Rivals.com, a feat achieved by a select few. "These are guys that we believe can help us win a championship, and that's how we recruit in terms of look- ing at our guys," Kelly said. "And they are guys that fit here at Notre Dame." Here is the list of the 16 players who experienced the preparation and glory of achieving excellence: • Center Tristen Hoge (Idaho 5A state title as a senior). • Defensive back Nicco Fertitta and tight end Aliz'e Jones (Bishop Gorman High has won six consecu- tive Nevada Division I state cham- pionships). • Cornerback Nick Coleman (Arch- bishop Alter lost in the 2014 Ohio Di- vision IV state title game). • Linebacker Bo Wallace (John Cur- tis High finished as the runner-up for the Louisiana Division I state crown last fall). • Quarterback Brandon Wimbush (St. Peter 's Prep won the 2014 New Jersey Non-Public, Group 4 state championship). • Linebacker Asmar Bilal (Ben Davis High captured the Indiana 6A state title last year). • Defensive lineman Elijah Taylor (Moeller High won the 2012 and '13 Ohio Division I state championships). • Wide receiver Jalen Guyton (Allen High has won the last three Texas 6A-1 state titles). • Linebacker Josh Barajas (Andrean High won the Indiana Class 3A state championship in his junior year). • Wide receiver Miles Boykin (Prov- idence Central won the Illinois Class 7A state title last fall). • Safety Mykelti Williams (Warren Central captured the Indiana 6A state crown in 2013). • Defensive back Shaun Crawford (St. Edward won the 2014 Ohio Divi- sion I state title). • Offensive lineman Trevor Ruhland (Grove High finished as the Illinois Class 6A state playoffs runner-up in 2012 and the 7A runner-up in '14). Plus two signees won titles in other sports: • Defensive lineman Brandon Tias- sum (Park Tutor won the Indiana 2A state title in basketball in 2014). • Wide receiver CJ Sanders (2014 Tennessee Division II state track and field champ in the 100 and 200 meters while at Brentwood Academy). Five Notre Dame recruits also saw their team place in the final USA Today national high school rankings in 2014: • No. 1 Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas — Fertitta and Jones.