Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com AUGUST 2020 25 BY LOU SOMOGYI O ver the past 40 years, only two Notre Dame recruiting classes signed more players than the 27 inked in the 2018 cycle that will be juniors this year. The first was the 30 in 1987. That No. 1-ranked group under second- year head coach Lou Holtz was not merely about quantity but also quality with game-changers such as corner- back Todd Lyght, nose tackle Chris Zorich, and running backs Ricky Wat- ters and Tony Brooks, among many others. As sophomores they helped propel Notre Dame's most recent na- tional title in 1988, plus were crucial figures when the Irish remained in the national title hunt the next two years. The second was the 28-man harvest inked in 2006 that was ranked No. 8 by Rivals and one that another second- year Notre Dame head coach, Charlie Weis, referred to as "a killer class." Unfortunately, it proved to be a coach-killing group for Weis. Unlike the 1987 class, this one as sophomores was part of a 3-9 debacle in 2007. Only two members from the haul would get drafted, offensive linemen Sam Young (still in the league) and Eric Olsen, both in the sixth round. So far through two years, the 2018 group is somewhere in between those 1987 and 2006 classes. Entering their junior seasons in 2020, it hasn't yet been the star-stud- ded group like the one from 1987, but it also is in better position to make a far greater overall impact than the signees from 2006. Four of the original 27 have since left the program, most notably quar- terback Phil Jurkovec (Boston College) this past winter. The top-100 recruit was the first to commit in this class and was perceived to have The Pied Piper Effect for a "monster class." Indeed, Jurkovec's presence helped attract five receivers — led by an- other top-100 prospect in Kevin Aus- tin — and two tight ends. Defensively, the strength was at linebacker/rover with Bo Bauer, Jack Lamb, Ovie Oghoufo (moved to defensive end) and Shayne Simon, and then also safety with Houston Griffith, Derrik Allen (transferred to home-state Georgia Tech in 2019) and Paul Moala, who would shift to rover. With the balance and depth of the roster strong from top to bottom the past three years while posting a 33-6 record (sixth best in the Foot- ball Bowl Subdivision), this class as sophomores last year was not thrust into a difference-making role. Several made their share of contri- butions during an 11-2 finish, but the major impact so far has been minimal while waiting their place in line. THE BIG THREE A trio of sophomores provided significant impact in 2019. All three were three-star recruits overshad- owed by more prominent classmates when they signed: • Jarrett Patterson moved from left tackle to center to replace three-year starter Sam Mustipher, despite never having played the position. Although overpowered on occasion at the point of attack while still a green- horn at his position and in a collegiate strength and conditioning program, Patterson played well enough to rank No. 30 among Pro Football Focus' top returning offensive linemen in 2020. PFF rated him with allowing the seven-lowest pressure rate among returning centers. Remarkably, his 854 snaps last season (66 per game) were the most of anyone on the team. • Cornerback TaRiq Bracy started only twice last year — but his 467 snaps were the fourth most among all defensive backs, and his seven passes broken up paced the squad. Up to 180 pounds this spring after playing mainly around 170 last year, Bracy still posted an impressive 90.7 tackling grade from PFF. Along with running back, the cor- ner position might have the most question marks this season, so Bra- cy's durability and performance will be crucial factors if the defense is to rank among the nation's finest again. "He has the skill set to be a fea- tured guy," third-year Irish defensive coordinator Clark Lea said of Bracy this spring. "He's got to earn it, just like they all do." • Notre Dame's assembly line of future pros at tight end appears safe to continue in the hands (and legs) of Tommy Tremble. In his debut season of college foot- ball last year, Tremble started seven times, mostly in double tight end alignments with second-round pick Cole Kmet, and totaled 316 snaps (24 per game) to Kmet's 707. A vertical threat with his speed and maneuverability, Tremble's 16 catches for 183 yards and four scores were the best by an Irish sophomore tight end since Tyler Eifert in 2010. Don't stereotype him as merely a pass catcher, either. He's physical, and his 82.8 run-blocking grade, per PFF, was much better than Kmet's 55.3, although in fairness Kmet had more than double the snaps. (FOUR)-STAR POTENTIAL While the aforementioned three- star trio emerged in 2019, it's time for two of the most prominent four- star figures to blossom in year three: safety Houston Griffith and wide re- ceiver Kevin Austin. Griffith was Rivals' highest-rated national recruit — No. 43 — in the 2018 haul, while Austin, with Jurk- ovec's transfer, is now third at No. 88. In an effort to get him on the field, Griffith was used as the nickel corner as a 2018 freshman and auditioned at boundary corner in 2019 in an attempt to replace consensus All- American Julian Love. Neither was a natural fit for Griffith, who then was stationed at safety for good last fall in or- der to give him an opportunity to consistently take reps there and advance. His playing time dimin- Speedy wide receiver Braden Lenzy averaged an impressive 19.4 yards on his 27 touches and scored four touchdowns in a part-time role last season. PHOTO BY SPENCER ALLEN Junior Partners No third-year player is a standout yet, but many in 2020 could rise significantly in the ranks