Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/954261
36 APRIL 2018 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED BY BRYAN DRISKELL A strong case could be made that the 2018 class was the best of head coach Brian Kelly's ten- ure at Notre Dame. The class hit all the marks for a top group: it had impact talent on both sides of the ball, met its depth needs and was balanced. Twenty of the signees were graded out by Blue & Gold Illustrated as four- star recruits, compared to just 11 in the 2017 class. Ten different recruits earned five-star upside grades, com- pared to just two in the 2017 class and seven in the 2016 class. Here is what the grades provided for each prospect represent: 5.0 – Elite (top 25 caliber player) 4.5 – Outstanding (top 50 caliber player) 4.0 – Very Good (top 250 caliber player) 3.5 – Above Average (top 350 caliber player) 3.0 – Solid (top 500 caliber player or lower) The BGI Grade is based on each prospect at the conclusion of his se- nior season in high school. The Up- side Grade is an evaluation of how good that player can be if he maxi- mizes his potential. Breakdowns and grades for each signee. 1. PHIL JURKOVEC, QB Gibsonia (Pa.) Pine-Richland He is the most physically gifted quarterback Notre Dame has signed under Kelly. He has prototype drop-back size (6-5, 204 pounds), and as a senior he greatly enhanced his skills as a passer. Always possessing a strong arm, Jurkovec showed much- improved pocket presence, bet- ter passing footwork and timing, and impressive accuracy. He passed for 3,969 yards and 39 touch- downs as a senior. H e i s a d u a l - threat player that a l s o r a c k e d u p 1,211 yards and 2 4 t o u c h d o w n s on the ground w h i l e l e a d i n g Pine-Richland to its first-ever state title. BGI Grade: 5.0 Upside Grade: 5.0 2. DERRIK ALLEN, S Marietta (Ga.) Lassiter Allen is the total package on the back end of the defense. He has outstanding size (6-2, 215), and as a senior he became a quality run de- fender after playing cornerback his first three seasons in high school. Allen is a smooth and fluid athlete, and everything he does on the field looks easy. He is a natural in cover- age, and his experience at cornerback makes him a top-end pass defender as a safety. What sets him apart is his intelligence — his football IQ is truly elite. BGI Grade: 4.5/Upside Grade: 5.0 3. JACK LAMB, LB Temecula (Calif.) Great Oak After adding 20 pounds as a se- nior, Lamb showed the physical- ity and tackling ability needed to play Mike linebacker in the Irish defense. He makes smart reads, is a quick decision maker and locates the football well. Athletically, Lamb has the speed, range and foot quickness to play hash to hash as a Mike or to play in space as a Buck linebacker. That versatility only adds to the overall package that makes him one of the top players in this class. BGI Grade: 4.0/Upside Grade: 5.0 RANKING THE 2018 SIGNEES Breaking down Notre Dame's balanced recruiting class Notre Dame needed to land a top quarter- back in 2018, and Phil Jurkovec was the No. 1 player on its board. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM