Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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T BY JASON SAPP Stephon Tuitt to win two in-state recruiting battles over Florida State and Georgia Tech, respectively — along with a National Signing Day surprise in linebacker Troy Niklas. The 2012 signing class also had he 2011 recruiting haul fin- ished in fine fashion after reeling back in the defensive end duo of Aaron Lynch and Irish switch focus to class of 2013 MOVING FORWARD its share of drama, but not the kind that the Irish coaching staff wanted. Notre Dame ascended as high as No. 3 nationally in the team re- cruiting rankings (247Sports) after picking up a verbal commitment from safety Elijah Shumate at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio Jan. 7, but plummeted after losing pledges from five-star wide receiver Deontay Greenberry (Houston) and five-star cornerback Ronald Darby (Florida State) — both areas of need. The program still finished among the top 20 hauls (No. 17) in the country according 247Sports, and placed as high as No. 10 in ESPNU's listings in large part due to the flip- ping of five-star signal-caller Gun- ner Kiel from LSU. The level of disappointment was At 6-7, 280 pounds, Ethan Pocic is at the top of the list of offensive linemen that Notre Dame hopes to add to its roster in 2013. Pocic is con- sidering the Irish and Wisconsin, among others. PHOTO BY JASON SAPP high on Feb. 1 when Greenberry, the cousin of lockdown cornerback and early enrollee Tee Shepard, opted to sign with the Conference USA program that he visited the weekend before decisions became official. Irish head coach Brian Kelly responded with a strong message — which was reiterated by Notre Dame coaching legend Lou Holtz later that day — about not dwelling on the past. "For me, it's hard to be disap- pointed about someone you've never had or you've never coached," Kelly said in reference to the Greenberry situation, stressing the importance of the 16-man sign- ing haul. "I'm more excited about the guys that signed because they are the right kind of guys." The meaning of being the "right kind of guy" doesn't just entail foot- ball talent. It is also about prospects understanding the importance of the word "student" in student-ath- lete and choosing the program for the right reasons. Before the ink was even dry on the National Letter of Intents, the 52 MARCH 2012 process of explaining that approach to a new group of recruiting targets had started. "2013 has already begun," Kelly Amir Carlisle to the sophomore group, the Irish have 80 scholarship players on the 2012 roster, count- ing four fifth-year seniors — center Braxston Cave, wide receiver John Goodman, defensive end Kapron Lewis-Moore and safety Jamoris Slaughter. Of the 15 seniors next fall, eight are eligible for a fifth year in 2013. It's unlikely that all will return, and players like offensive linemen Zack Martin and Chris Watt, and run- ning back Cierre Wood could turn pro, but when factoring in possible transfers, the Irish could take a class around 18-20 in 2013. With the majority of the focus on the 2013 crop of talent, here is a position-by-position breakdown of the projected needs and a featured junior target at each position group. QUARTERBACK said even before introducing the 2012 signing class. "I have had 15 phone calls to 2013 recruits, so as you can see, there is not much time to sit around and think about the recruiting process. You have to react and keep moving forward, which we have done already today." After addressing the needs along end of the process in Gunner Kiel, the nation's top passer, but it was the hard work throughout the process that presented that opportunity in the final hour. With four quarterbacks still available for the 2013 QBs: 4 Projected Take: 1 Notre Dame landed quite the talent at the very 2013 roster, despite the fact that the coaches al- ways have to be watchful of transfers at the posi- tion, finding another signal-caller isn't an absolute need in the class. However, Notre Dame ideally would like to land one in each haul. Target: Matt Alviti, 6-1, 180, Park Ridge, Ill. the defensive line in Kelly's first re- cruiting class and targeting the back end of the defense in 2012 by land- ing four safeties, the Irish were able to prove in two hauls that it works to follow a blueprint and remain diligent in those efforts. The plan for 2013 is already in place as far as the biggest area of need. "We needed to take care of the needs within the program in this second recruiting class … and we think we have done that," Kelly said. "Next year's class will have that versatility element, and it will be centered around that big skill." After signing 16 players, three of which are already enrolled, and adding USC transfer running back (Maine South) — Focused on Northwestern and Notre Dame with a decision expected early in the process, but a new offer from Michigan State adds another competitor to the list. 2013 RBs: 7 Projected Take: 1 There are plenty of numbers in the stable, but the lack of experience will be a factor for 2013. The Irish lose seniors Theo Riddick and Cierre RUNNING BACK Wood, and it's undetermined how junior Cam Rob- erson will bounce back from a severe knee injury. Adding speed options like sophomore Amir Carlisle and incoming versatile player KeiVarae Russell allows a potential shift back to wide receiver for George Atkinson III, if needed. Second-year player Cam McDaniel and freshman Will Mahone bring a punch. The Irish could take as many as two, but the fo- cus will be on landing one all-around threat. BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED