That may best describe the first three full-time recruiting efforts under Charlie Weis and recruiting coordinator Rob Ianello’s watch from 2006-08.
A mostly bear market on the recruiting circuit since 2000 was gradually leading Notre Dame from upper-tier affluence to middle-class – or even impoverished – status. But the bull market has returned in that arena of the program.
Some might dismiss recruiting rankings as pure bull. Certainly, enough highly-ranked classes at Notre Dame over the last 30 years have faltered, so one might be cautious about issuing bold statements. Games are ultimately played in stadiums, not on paper. Schools such as Boston College, Michigan State and Purdue are seldom celebrated nationally for their recruiting, yet they’ve routinely defeated top-10 ranked Notre Dame classes over for the past decade.
Nevertheless, better to bring in such revered hauls that elicit future promise than to wonder each February why Notre Dame cannot attract more of the crème-de-la-crème. Here’s an overview of the five Notre Dame classes on this year’s roster and the rise in surplus:
2005 (Seniors) Number Signed: 15 Number in 2008: 13. Tight end Joey Hiben transferred to Minnesota and defensive lineman Derrell Hand had a career-ending injury. Recruiting Rankings: Not ranked in top 30 (or top 40 to our knowledge) for the first time
Perceived Strengths: Safety was the top position with David Bruton, Ray Herring and Kyle McCarthy. Bruton is a legitimate All-America candidate, and McCarthy was one of the top surprises this spring as he succeeded Tom Zbikowski as the starting strong safety.
The crown jewel was wide receiver D.J. Hord, Missouri’s Gatorade Player of the Year. However, a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered during the summer of 2006 severely hampered his progress and football career.
Perceived Weaknesses: With the transition from Willingham to Charlie Weis in December of 2004, recruiting was on the back burner because part of the deal was Weis would finish out his duties as New England’s offensive coordinator en route to a third Super Bowl title in four years. That led to the smallest class ever signed by Notre Dame, two fewer than the previous year’s record-low 17.
No halfbacks nor cornerbacks were inked. Similar to a year earlier, the Irish lost out on almost all of their top targets. The most notable was defensive end Lawrence Wilson changing from Notre Dame to Ohio State after Willingham’s ouster.
Bruton is the star on defense while wide receiver David Grimes was elected offensive captain this year after placing fourth in catches (27) last year.
Two pivotal figures from the class as seniors will be offensive left tackle Paul Duncan and defensive lineman Pat Kuntz. If they come through, it could help the Irish crack the top 25 again.
Conclusion: This class is replete with fine complementary, role players but devoid of star power. Walker was the exception in 2004 and Bruton seems to be from 2005. Combine these two classes as juniors and seniors in 2007, and the 3-9 result isn’t a total surprise, although still unacceptable.
In both 2004 and 2005, Notre Dame’s recruiting efforts were patchwork. Evan Sharpley is a quality quarterback to have on a roster, but he didn’t arrive with the stature or fanfare of a Brady Quinn or Jimmy Clausen sandwiched in between. Grimes, Asaph Schwapp, Duncan, Mike Turkovich and linebackers Scott Smith and Steve Quinn have either started or made large contributions on special teams, but would they have been starting at USC, Ohio State, LSU, Florida, etc.?
That is not an affront to an individual’s character or value as a respected, achievement-oriented student-athlete who represent the university with class and distinction. It merely points out the disparity in the football talent recruited during these years.
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Some might dismiss recruiting rankings as pure bull. Certainly, enough highly-ranked classes at Notre Dame over the last 30 years have faltered, so one might be cautious about issuing bold statements. Games are ultimately played in stadiums, not on paper. Schools such as Boston College, Michigan State and Purdue are seldom celebrated nationally for their recruiting, yet they’ve routinely defeated top-10 ranked Notre Dame classes over for the past decade.
