ND Commits

Will Black (OT): 5-star, #19 overall

Chris Burgess (SDE): 4-star, #45 overall

Dallas Golden (CB): 4-star, #66 overall

Anthony Sacca (OLB): 4-star, #102 overall

Owen Strebig (OT): 4-star, #105 overall

Matty Augustine (OT): 4-star, #243 overall

ND Targets

Madden Faraimo (OLB): 4-star, #53 overall (uncommitted)

Derek Meadows (WR): 4-star, #107 overall (LSU commit)

Andrew Olesh (TE): 4-star, #163 overall (Michigan commit)

ND is currently ranked 10th overall in the team rankings. I would expect ND to drop slightly, as is customary with many higher ranked kids making decisions at all star games or on signing day.

ND has 3 Top 100 commits, with a fourth (Faraimo) likely to join, which would give ND 4 Top 100 commits. This is lower than last cycle (5), but the next highest in the previous five cycles: 5 (2024), 3 (2023), 4 (2022), 3 (2021), 3 (2020).

ND currently only has 6 Top 250 commits. This would be the lowest in the last five cycles: 11 (2024), 11 (2023), 13 (2022), 8 (2021), 9 (2020). I think ND will end up with 8 because I think Faraimo and Meadows will end up in the class. But still, 8 Top 250 recruits would be tied for the lowest in the last five cycles. 

ND has 23 commits, but assuming Faraimo and Meadows commit, that is 8 Top 250 players in a class of 25, which means only 32% of the class is in the Top 250. This would be be lowest percentage in the four of the last five cycles: 47.8% (2024), 47.8% (2023), 56.5% (2022), 29.6% (2021), and 52.9% (2020).

Overall, I like this class, but it is definitely not up to par with previous Freeman classes. There were several high profile misses at QB (obviously) and WR. I think ND really messed up RB recruiting, as they took two lower ranked guys early who have both been processed out. I really like the OL class. I think the DL class leaves a lot to be desired, but I think Burgess has really flown under the radar as a difference maker. But I don’t really like most of the other DL commits. I think ND is more than fine at LB, as long as Faraimo commits as expected. That room is absolutely loaded going into next season. I think the DB class is awesome. All praise to Mickens.

My most underrated guys in this class: Elijah Burress (WR, 3-star), Brandon Logan (S, 3-star), Jadon Blair (S, 4-star, outside of Top 250), and Mark Zachary (CB, 4-star, outside of Top 250). I think all four of these guys are Top 250 players.

The fact that Blair and Zachary are not top250 is wild… Blair is widely considered a top 5 safety prospect. Zachary is having a great senior year, he is ranked much better on the other services.

4 hours ago, NDhoosier said:

The fact that Blair and Zachary are not top250 is wild… Blair is widely considered a top 5 safety prospect. Zachary is having a great senior year, he is ranked much better on the other services.

I agree on both. Zachary also fell in 247’s most recent update from Top 100 to #175. By all accounts, he’s having a great season, so not sure why he’s dropping.

Rivals is the lowest on Blair as he’s #54 overall on On3 and #154 overall on 247.

I should have also included James Flanigan above. He’s having a monster year, and he’s #107 (On3) and #105 (247). Rivals is the lowest on him as well.

7 hours ago, tneun89 said:

ND Commits

Will Black (OT): 5-star, #19 overall

Chris Burgess (SDE): 4-star, #45 overall

Dallas Golden (CB): 4-star, #66 overall

Anthony Sacca (OLB): 4-star, #102 overall

Owen Strebig (OT): 4-star, #105 overall

Matty Augustine (OT): 4-star, #243 overall

ND Targets

Madden Faraimo (OLB): 4-star, #53 overall (uncommitted)

Derek Meadows (WR): 4-star, #107 overall (LSU commit)

Andrew Olesh (TE): 4-star, #163 overall (Michigan commit)

Really bad rankings by Rivals

Don't care about rankings as a whole. On defense our guys are balling out under Golden and staff. If they want someone I trust in them. The offense is a bit of a mixed bag aside from RBs who are the most solid position group on that side of the ball and I have faith that we will keep churning out good players. OL is interesting because of the injuries and youth movement thrust into starting, but again this is an area we can always attract high level recruits. TE are having an off year, but we can count on blue chippers here. We have to develope an in house QB(who can pass) and not another GT. That would hopefully stabilize and attract more blue chip WR and QB in the future.

I am not as excited about this class for a few reasons… WR was just a epic fail. I would have serios talks with Brown about how he aint at UC any more and needs to close on his targets. He also hasnt coached up Williams or Micah to get snaps this year. He needs to do better and in a hurry. DL was not a complete disater but it aint killing it either. Burgess is the only guy and the others are projects who will need a few years to either be a back up or a guy who can give you 10 snaps a game. I wonder why Freeman is down this year on getting more top talent in the class?? I wonder if the job is wearing him out already? It does look like he is spending less time in the gym and more time in the film room which is a good thing though

On 11/21/2024 at 9:42 AM, Jburkdd12 said:

I am not as excited about this class for a few reasons… WR was just a epic fail. I would have serios talks with Brown about how he aint at UC any more and needs to close on his targets. He also hasnt coached up Williams or Micah to get snaps this year. He needs to do better and in a hurry. DL was not a complete disater but it aint killing it either. Burgess is the only guy and the others are projects who will need a few years to either be a back up or a guy who can give you 10 snaps a game. I wonder why Freeman is down this year on getting more top talent in the class?? I wonder if the job is wearing him out already? It does look like he is spending less time in the gym and more time in the film room which is a good thing though

On 11/21/2024 at 8:42 AM, Jburkdd12 said:

It does look like he is spending less time in the gym and more time in the film room which is a good thing though

Dude, you really are just trolling at this point…

With it being National Signing Day, it looks like everyone has signed so far except Cree Thomas in Arizona and Ki’o Kia in Hawaii. I expect they have not woke up yet.

Cree has signed now, Kia isnt up yet

Madden Faraimo has not signed or committed yet (rumors said he was committing to USC on Monday). Based on the recent reports, the longer it goes on, the better it is for ND… While not a big chance, I think ND does have a chance still. This is solely my personal opinion.