Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/140522
terrific 20 for 2014 Breaking Down The Numbers Quarterback Committed — 1 (DeShone Kizer of Toledo, Ohio) Projected Take — 1 Synopsis: In February, Notre Dame signed the No. 10 dual-threat quarterback in the country in Ohio native Malik Zaire. In mid-June, the Irish picked up a commitment from DeShone Kizer of Toledo, Ohio, the No. 5 dual-threat QB in the class of 2014 according to 247Sports. Running Back Committed — 1 (Elijah Hood of Charlotte, N.C.) Projected Take — 2 Synopsis: Notre Dame brought in the No. 9 and No. 10 running backs in the nation in 2013 in Tarean Folston and Greg Bryant, respectively. The Irish are looking to grab another two backs in the 2014 class, and they are halfway there with the commitment of the four-star Hood, the top running back target on the board. Top candidates to fill that second slot include four-star Nathan Starks and four-star Joe Mixon. Wide Receiver Committed — 1 (Justin Brent of Indianapolis) Projected Take — 3 Synopsis: Last year, Notre Dame signed one of the nation's top wide receiver hauls, landing William Fuller, Torii Hunter Jr., James Onwualu and Corey Robinson. The Irish are looking to do the same in 2014, and they are off to a good start with the commitment of the three-star Brent. Other top targets include four-star Johnnie Dixon, four-star Josh Malone, four-star Malachi Dupre, four-star Corey Holmes, four-star Eric Brown, four-star Mark Andrew and four-star Allen Lazard. Tight End Committed — 1 (Nic Weishar of Chicago) Projected Take — 1 or 2 Synopsis: The Irish are looking at bringing in one or two tight ends from the 2014 class. Notre Dame gained an early commitment from one its top targets in four-star Nic Weishar, but if Mark Andrews or Tyler Luatua want to come on board, they would be welcomed additions to this class. Offensive Line Committed — 4 (Alex Bars of Nashville, Tenn.; Quenton Nelson of Red Bank, N.J.; Sam Mustipher of Olney, Md.; and Jimmy Byrne of Cleveland) Projected Take — 4 Synopsis: Notre Dame's offensive line group from the class of 2013 was simply unmatched. The class included five four-star prospects in Steve Elmer, Hunter Bivin, Mike McGlinchey, John Montelus and Colin McGovern. The Irish have stayed hot in 2014 with four more four-star commitments in the fold. Bars, Nelson, Mustipher and Byrne are all committed, and remain firm in their pledge to Notre Dame. There is room for a fifth linemen if five-star tackle Braden Smith or four-star guard Damien Mama want to play in South Bend. Outside of these two prospects and barring any unforeseen decommitments, the offensive line class could be complete for 2014. Defensive Line Committed — 2 (Andrew Trumbetti of Demarest, N.J.; and Jay Hayes of Brooklyn, N.Y.) Projected Take — 4 Synopsis: Three defensive linemen signed with Notre Dame in 2013, but one chose to transfer prior to ever stepping foot in South Bend as a student-athlete. Isaac Rochell and Jacob Matuska will play defensive end for Notre Dame this season, but on June 4 five-star Eddie Vanderdoes decided not to attend Notre Dame and will enroll at UCLA. Due to transfer rules, the defensive tackle will lose one year of eligibility in the process. Notre Dame is hoping to bring in two additional defensive linemen for the 2014 class to go along with its two early four-star commitments in Trumbetti (end) and Hayes (tackle). Top defensive tackle targets include five-star Lamont Gaillard and four-star Thomas Holley. At defensive end, the top target is four-star Andrew Williams. Linebacker Committed — 1 (Greer Martini of Woodberry Forest, Va.) Projected Take — 3 Synopsis: The nation's top linebacker, five-star Jaylon Smith, signed with Notre Dame in 2013. Smith, along with four-star Doug Randolph and three-star Michael Deeb, gave the Irish a strong trio at the position. The four-star Martini is on the board early for Defensive linemen Andrew Trumbetti, left, and Jay Hayes committed to Notre Dame early in the process. The Irish hope to add two more in the trenches. photo Andrew Trumbetti Notre Dame in 2014, and the coaching staff would like to add two more to join him. Lorenzo Carter and Andrew Williams are being recruited to play both defensive end and linebacker, and some of the other top targets include four-star Nyles Morgan and four-star Richard Yeargin. Defensive Back Committed — 0 Projected Take — 3 Synopsis: Notre Dame loaded up at defensive back in 2013, especially at the cornerback position with Cole Luke, Devin Butler and Rashad Kinlaw. Late in the process, the Irish also grabbed Max Redfield, who is expected to be an early contributor at safety. Another three prospects in 2014 would be ideal for the Irish, and they are in good shape with some elite players across the country. A few cornerback targets to watch are five-star Adoree' Jackson and four-star Nick Watkins. At safety, the Irish are pursuing five-star John Smith. Special Teams Committed — 1 Projected Take — 1 Synopsis: Notre Dame didn't necessarily need to sign a kicker in this group, but added Georgia punter Tyler Newsome for an extra layer of security. Kyle Brindza, a junior at Notre Dame, is currently sitting at the top of the depth chart at kicker and punter. With Brindza in South Bend for two more seasons, brining in a kicker or punter wasn't a high priority in 2013. This year, the Irish offered Denver J.K. Mullen kicker/punter J.K. Scott, and Newsome before the 6-3, 190-pound Carrollton H.S. kicker jumped on board in late June. — Tom Loy 160 ✦ Blue & Gold Illustrated 2013 Football Preview 157-160.2014 Terrific 20.indd 160 6/25/13 3:32 PM