Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Playing The Numbers Game (Again) PROGRESS REPORT FOOTBALL RECRUITING filled its needs in the 2013 recruiting and any no- table changes to the game plan. Here's a quick synopsis of how the program has Quarterback Projected Take: 1 Committed: Malik Zaire of Dayton (Ohio) Arch- bishop Alter The Skinny: The Irish look to pursue one touted Jaylon Smith, who is tabbed as the top outside linebacker nationally by 247Sports, was Notre Dame's No. 1 target in the 2013 recruiting class and filled an area of need. PHOTO COURTESY 247SPORTS BY JASON SAPP that never has an exact answer is "how many spots are in the class?" That number looked to be around O ne of the questions that is asked the most often in recruiting and 20 for the upcoming group when the 2012 recruiting campaign came to a close on National Signing Day. With 85 total scholarships to use on a given roster, Notre Dame has six unused scholarships. There are six fifth-year seniors on the roster — center Braxston Cave, offensive lineman Mike Golic Jr., de- fensive end Kapron Lewis-Moore, safety Dan McCarthy and defensive back Jamoris Slaughter. The seven seniors in their last (Ill.) Lincoln Way West; John Montelus of Everett (Mass.) High The Skinny: This position was underestimated in regards to how many the Irish would take. The increased number of spots in the class opened up an opportunity to bring in a five-man haul that could essentially line up across the board at the five offensive line positions. signal-caller in each recruiting campaign and found their guy in Zaire, a left-handed player that re- ceived national recognition after participating in the Elite 11, an invitation-only quarterback camp in California over the summer. Running Back Projected Take: 1 Committed: Jamel James of Katy (Texas) Cinco Rancho The Skinny: Notre Dame was able to pick up a Defensive Line Projected Take: 2 Committed: Jacob Matuksa of Columbus (Ohio) Bishop Hartley; Isaac Rochell of McDonough (Ga.) Eagle's Landing The Skinny: Notre Dame had other targets on the radar that opted to go elsewhere and looked to be on the market for a true nose guard after not landing one in 2011. The duo of Matuska and Rochell makes for another strong group after land- ing a twosome of Sheldon Day, who is expected to play this season, and Jarron Jones in the last class. pledge from James to fill its need for one true run- ning back in the class. There are players such as Corey Clement (committed to Pitt) of Glassboro, N.J., and Tarean Folston of Cocoa, Fla., that the coaching staff would still take as a running back/ slot receiver option. Cretin-Derham Hall; Corey Robinson of San Anto- nio Christian The Skinny: After losing five-star wideout De- Wide Receiver Projected Take: 3 Committed: James Onwualu of Saint Paul (Minn.) ontay Greenberry to Houston at the altar in 2012, Notre Dame quickly gained pledges from receivers in the next class to help fill the void. The program is still on the lookout for a dynamic turn, but there are approximately five players in that group that aren't likely to return. There are 18 juniors, 21 sopho- mores and 17 freshmen (including safety Chris Badger, who returned from a two-year Mormon mission after signing with the 2010 recruiting class). change, there is currently a total of 24 scholarships for the 2013 recruiting campaign. With 19 recruits currently committed, that leaves five more scholarships available in the class. Although the number is subject to 84 PRESEASON 2012 year of eligibility are long snapper Jordan Cowart, safety Zeke Motta, running back Theo Riddick, safety Chris Salvi, inside linebacker Manti Te'o, wide receiver Robby Toma and punter Ben Turk. Nine seniors are eligible to re- missing; Michael Deeb of Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) American Heritage; Danny Mattingly of Spokane, Wash.; Jaylon Smith of Fort Wayne (Ind.) Bishop Luers The Skinny: The Irish were out to load up on Linebacker Projected Take: 4 Committed: Alex Anzalone of Reading (Pa.) Wyo- receiver to round out the three spots. Even though the top target is Alvin Bailey of Seffner, Fla., the best shot entering the season seems to be Torii Hunter Jr. of Prosper, Texas. Barron Collier The Skinny: The initial target number looked to Tight End Projected Take: 2 Committed: Mike Heuerman of Naples (Fla.) be two for the 2013 class after not taking a tight end in 2012, but the Irish filled the need with a pledge from four-star Heuerman. Even after the season-ending knee injury to junior Alex Welch, the program has not pursued any additional tight ends to add to the class. Offensive Line Projected Take: 3 Committed: Hunter Bivin of Owensboro (Ky.) Apollo; Steven Elmer Jr. of Midland (Mich.) High; Mike McGlinchey of Philadelphia William Penn Charter School; Colin McGovern of New Lenox the position after taking only one linebacker in 2011, Romeo Okwara, with a plan to get two on the inside and two for the outside. It was executed perfectly. Not only did the four spots get filled, but it all happened within the summer months, led by Top100 recruits Smith (No. 5 player nationally) and Anzalone (No. 43). Notre Dame is still on the market for another outside linebacker/defensive end hybrid with the spots that remain. Gonzaga; Rashad Kinlaw of Absecon (N.J.) Abse- gami The Skinny: With Butler and Kinlaw on board, Defensive Back Projected Take: 3 Committed: Devin Butler of Washington (D.C.) Notre Dame is looking to add a lockdown corner to the group, and its best shot looks to be L.J. Moore of Fresno, Calif., who is taking his official visit for the Michigan game on Sept. 22. There's still room for another defensive back in the class that could fill a hybrid role as a cornerback/safety. would pursue a punter with Ben Turk in his final year of eligibility, but a plan isn't in place to extend an offer at the position despite the opening. ✦ Special Teams Projected Take: 1 Committed: None The skinny: It looked as though Notre Dame BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED