BlackhawkIrish Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 Since we are in the twilight of the 2017 cycle I figured it might be time to glance ahead at what the 2018 class potentially has in store. I truly feel that 2018 could be one of the strongest classes in recent memory at ND. Although that seems to be said every year 2018 could be different. First, ND has a five-star quarterback committed already, and second, it seems clear that BK has loaded the staff with potent recruiters. Rumors are that this year will be a transition year to a new head coach in 2018 and this class could begin stocking the cupboard with difference-makers. Here's my early take at the 2018 class for ND. QB(1)-Jurkovec...he's a stud and already committed, huge early get RB(2)-Stepp, TJ Pledger....with Stepp committed the Irish have set their sights on getting an elite back, they're already in great shape for Pledger WR(3)-ASB, Micah Jones, ?.....Irish are in good shape for ASB, who is a stud, and Jones who should be deciding in April. ND will probably take one more TE(1)-?.....No idea here but Kuntz/Freiermuth/Leonard Taylor/Jeremy Ruckert are all offers, might be tough to convince an elite TE to follow Wright and Kmet OL(3)-?, ?, ?.....Not many offers have gone out yet, but I trust HH. Early offers include James Ohonba, Jackson Carman, Nicholas Petit-Frere and Richard Gouraige DL(5)-Ademilola, Mustipher, Vann, ?, ?.....Irish already landed Ademilola, and are in good shape for PJ Mustipher and Malik Vann, two great prospects, Aeneas Hawkins and Devin O Rourke are also on the board early. Need to find a good pass-rusher, hopefully Tyreke Smith or KJ Henry fits the bill LB(4)-Bauer, Ademilola, Oghuofo, ?....LB recruiting is almost done already and it seems ND wants one more elite type prospect, I would expect it to be from the group of Dallas Gant/IE Gateote/Dax Hollifield/Alston Orji DB(4)-Derrik Allen, Tyreke Johnson, ?, ?.....the Irish are in the lead for Derrik Allen early, and he would be a great start. I'll admit Tyreke will be a dogfight, but he is my personal favorite recruit in 2018, I think he "gets" ND and the Irish will be in it til the end. Also look for ND to pursue a depth player like maybe Miles Jones, and one more CB out of the Houston Griffith/Bookie Radley-Hiles/Christian Tutt group. Again, this is my very early take on 2018, but if things goes well this year 2018 could be a special class. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jersey Irish Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 Great start, but as in past years, can we hold onto to them down the stretch? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jessemoore97 Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 This year, a transition year for a new coach in '18? Hadn't heard that before. I suppose that could/should happen if the botttom fails out again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianKellyWasNotTheMan Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 TBH I see Gant being a safety at ND. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinKSU Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 Again, this is my very early take on 2018, but if things goes well this year 2018 could be a special class. You said the bad luck curse thing that always dooms Notre Dame recruiting classes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackhawkIrish Posted January 30, 2017 Author Share Posted January 30, 2017 You said the bad luck curse thing that always dooms Notre Dame recruiting classes. I don't believe in curses, but bad luck is a symptom of more fundamental problems. It sounds like ND is making a comprehensive effort to improve the program. We'll see how it turns out but I am hopeful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ELDER06 Posted February 1, 2017 Share Posted February 1, 2017 I feel like they're very solid with Jurkovec, Stepp and the Admieola Brothers. There's no doubt they need to hit it big at DE, DT, S, and WR. I'll hold off on what happens if Kelly has another bad-avg season. It's not worth going down the spiral of might happen if next season's a bust. At the very least, we have to wait until 3-4 games in before that talk starts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackhawkIrish Posted February 1, 2017 Author Share Posted February 1, 2017 https://twitter.com/CoachTracyND/status/826625761931034624 Recently posted on an ND assistant's twitter. Here's my guess at the area codes and their targets: 714(SoCal)-ASB 724(Western PA)-Jurkovec and maybe Kwantel Raines 336-KJ Henry??!! 478(Georgia-Derrik Allen, Tutt? 310(LA)-Jaelan Hall, TJ Pledger, Radley-Hiles 847(Chicago)-Original area code of Houston Griffith and Verdis Brown 903(Texas)-Not sure about this one 727(Tampa area)-Not sure about this either, maybe the IMG guys? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LasVegasIrish Posted February 1, 2017 Share Posted February 1, 2017 https://twitter.com/CoachTracyND/status/826625761931034624 Recently posted on an ND assistant's twitter. Here's my guess at the area codes and their targets: 714(SoCal)-ASB 724(Western PA)-Jurkovec and maybe Kwantel Raines 336-KJ Henry??!! 478(Georgia-Derrik Allen, Tutt? 310(LA)-Jaelan Hall, TJ Pledger, Radley-Hiles 847(Chicago)-Original area code of Houston Griffith and Verdis Brown 903(Texas)-Not sure about this one 727(Tampa area)-Not sure about this either, maybe the IMG guys? They just offered a RB outta Texas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big23Head Posted February 1, 2017 Share Posted February 1, 2017 Great post! ND needs the 2018 class to be a strong one and I agree that as of now it can be a very strong class. Also, not to hijack here. Can someone reopen the 2018 recruiting prospects thread? I'm not sure why it was locked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EddieAngel Posted February 1, 2017 Share Posted February 1, 2017 Great post! ND needs the 2018 class to be a strong one and I agree that as of now it can be a very strong class. Also, not to hijack here. Can someone reopen the 2018 recruiting prospects thread? I'm not sure why it was locked. I am thinking it is going to be a good class. Barring a 7 and 5 regular season dragging us into a minor bowl and dragging out the possibility of coaching search into January, I see no reason that ND can't have a successful recruiting class going. I am excited to see how the whole cadre of new shot calls turn things around this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IRISH812 Posted February 1, 2017 Share Posted February 1, 2017 I have a short memory, but this seems like the best start to a recruiting class we've had. 4 4 star recruits on D, a 4 star RB who is a great recruiter himself, and possibly the best QB in the class. I'm used to having a couple OL by now, but not so much on the defensive side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangeruss Posted February 1, 2017 Share Posted February 1, 2017 I am thinking it is going to be a good class. Barring a 7 and 5 regular season dragging us into a minor bowl and dragging out the possibility of coaching search into January, I see no reason that ND can't have a successful recruiting class going. I am excited to see how the whole cadre of new shot calls turn things around this season. yeah if BK doesn't turn things around next season then the '18 recruiting class will look similar to this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtl_irish03 Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 I have a hard time seeing Micah Jones staying at WR. Looks like a TE to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EddieAngel Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 yeah if BK doesn't turn things around next season then the '18 recruiting class will look similar to this one. I think that depends on how quickly the administration makes a move to correct the issue. I think if he racks up more than 4 losses by week 8 then it is probably time to make a move. Also, if there is an alley whipping against SC (Which is a fair possibility) unless he is sitting on one or two prior losses it would be a great time to start looking. If he runs a 50/50 campaign this year and they drag it out to December there is no reason to believe that next year will be even as good as this one, unfortunately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LasVegasIrish Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 All commits plus Dallas Gant, Tyreke Smith, Aeneas Hawkins, Braden Lenzy, and Kalon Gervin are expected on campus this weekend. Look for a few more too be added. The staff is keeping smallish on purpose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LasVegasIrish Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 All commits plus Dallas Gant, Tyreke Smith, Aeneas Hawkins, Braden Lenzy, and Kalon Gervin are expected on campus this weekend. Look for a few more too be added. The staff is keeping smallish on purpose. Add Micah Jones to that list Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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