Blue & Gold Illustrated: 2012 Notre Dame Football Preview
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/531612
154 ✦ BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2015 FOOTBALL PREVIEW BY ANDREW IVINS I n years past, Notre Dame has focused much of its attention around finding and signing elite talent. That was the case once again this past year when the ink dried on National Signing Day Feb. 4, but while the class of 2015 was lined with plenty of star power it also addressed a number of needs on both sides of the ball. The Irish signed four defensive linemen, added two running backs and locked up three versatile cornerbacks. The staff also landed an elite quarterback and was able to flip a dynamic receiving threat at tight end from UCLA. But while it was an impressive 23-man haul — and one that drew plenty of praise from media outlets across the country — there were some misses down the stretch, most notably at safety where the Irish failed to close in late January. Still, Scout ranked the Irish recruiting class No. 6 in the country. Rivals had Notre Dame with the No. 11 group, while ESPN and 247Sports both pegged the Irish with the No. 13 haul. "When we recruit, we don't recruit it through anybody else's lenses but our own. I hear what they say, this is like what, the 15th-rated or 18th-rated class," Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly said on National Signing Day. "I don't know what they are saying about it, but these are guys that we believe can help us win a championship, and that's how we recruit." The talent reflects that, but the class wouldn't have been the same if the staff didn't find the right guys to fill certain needs. Irish Load Up At Key Positions Long before Notre Dame even put to- gether its recruiting board, it was clear that the interior of the defensive line was going to need a significant makeover. The Irish started the 2014 campaign with a deep rota- tion at tackle, but by the time the Louisville game rolled around in late November there were just four healthy scholarship tackles available. That's why the Irish loaded up on defen- sive linemen early in the recruiting cycle. Notre Dame hit the road during the spring evaluation period and cast a wide web with offers. The staff then reeled in the players it wanted. Indianapolis Park Tudor three-star de- fensive tackle Brandon Tiassum committed to Notre Dame June 8. Three days later, Bolingbrook (Ill.) High three-star defensive tackle Micah Dew-Treadway gave a pledge before Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller three- star defensive tackle Elijah Taylor commit- ted the following day. Class of 2015 ReCRuiting stoRylines Irish add talent down the stretch, but also sign prospects that fill needs RECRUITING TERRITORIES Scott Booker (special teams coordinator/tight ends) — Georgia, New Jersey, District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Autry Denson (running backs) — Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and South Carolina Mike Elston (recruiting coordinator/linebackers) — Indiana, southern Ohio, Tennessee and Michigan Mike Denbrock (associate head coach/wide receivers) — California and Illinois Keith Gilmore (defensive linemen) — Michigan, North Carolina, Kansas, Arkansas, Iowa and Minnesota Harry Hiestand (offensive linemen) — Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York Todd Lyght (defensive backs) — Louisiana, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Washington and Oregon Mike Sanford (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks) — California, Texas, Idaho and New Mexico Brian VanGorder (defensive coordinator) — Georgia and north Florida FINAL 2015 RECRUITING CLASS RANKINGS Scout — No. 6 Rivals — No. 11 ESPN — No. 13 247Sports — No. 13 Shreveport (La.) Evangel Christian four-star Jerry Tillery, who was originally projected to be an offensive tackle, led the way fro a strong Irish defensive line haul. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM