Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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2016 RECRUITING ISSUE before other schools recognized his upside. Linebackers Daelin Hayes and Jamir Jones could eventually grow into de‑ fensive ends, which would bolster this haul. LINEBACKER SIGNED: Daelin Hayes, Jamir Jones and Jonathan Jones MEETING NEEDS: Notre Dame landed a talented three‑man class a season ago, but small numbers in previous seasons — followed by a career‑ending injury to 2013 signee Michael Deeb and the move of fellow 2013 signee Doug Ran‑ dolph to defensive end — sapped the position of depth. Notre Dame was in need of at least one true middle linebacker and an im‑ pact talent in this class. SUMMARY: For two years, Hayes was the top linebacker on the board for Notre Dame. He shined at the June 2014 Irish Invasion, and the staff fell in love with him. He was high on Notre Dame, but suddenly ended his recruit‑ ment a month later and committed to USC. The staff stayed on Hayes and ultimately landed his signature, giving the position a boost in talent. Another top early target was Jon‑ athan Jones, who gives the Irish a much‑needed true middle linebacker in this class. Notre Dame also signed Jamir Jones — the younger brother of senior nose guard Jarron Jones — but his ability to stick at linebacker is still in question. ON PAPER GRADE: B Notre Dame hit its goals at line‑ backer, adding a dynamic player in Hayes, a potential starter in Jonathan Jones and a potential edge player in Jamir Jones. Hayes is one of the top linebackers in the country, ranked by Rivals as Notre Dame's only five‑star recruit. He is the most physically gifted linebacker to sign with Notre Dame since Jaylon Smith inked back in 2013. Hayes is a rangy athlete with top‑flight edge rushing potential. The unique skill set he brings to the game projects him at all three linebacker positions. Jonathan Jones possesses the in‑ stincts and short‑area quickness to thrive inside once he adds enough strength and weight to hold up. Jamir Jones is more of an outside player that could eventually grow into a defensive end. CORNERBACKS SIGNED: Julian Love, Troy Pride Jr. and Donté Vaughn MEETING NEEDS: Notre Dame signed a total of four cornerbacks from 2012‑14, leaving the position woefully thin. Notre Dame signed a talented three‑ man class — Ashton White, Nick Cole‑ man and Shaun Crawford — a season ago, which was a positive first step, but the pending loss of Cole Luke and Devin Butler after the 2016 season made another three‑man haul a key need in this class. SUMMARY: Love jumped on board very early on and gave the class a strong start. Vaughn's commitment gave Notre Dame the long corner it coveted in the class. Picking up Love and Vaughn allowed the staff to focus on adding a final impact player.