The class ratings were based on 1) impact on the program through production and on-field results, 2) balance at the various positions and 3) overall depth and number of major producers.
THE 1986 RECRUITING CLASS
Players Signed: 21 Record at Notre Dame (1986-89): 37-11 (.771), including 2-1 in bowl games. The Irish defeated 11-0 West Virginia in the 1989 Fiesta Bowl and 11-0 Colorado in the 1990 Orange Bowl. Final AP Rankings: No. 1 in 1988 and No. 2 in 1989
Smagala became a three-year starter for the Irish at cornerback.
IMPACT In February 1986, Notre Dame’s 21-man haul under first-year head coach Lou Holtz received little fanfare. Joe Terranova, the godfather of recruiting rankings, rated it “between 15th-to-20th” — an unheard of placement for Notre Dame, a perennial top 5 recruiter.
“In the first freshman meeting, when we reported to camp, Coach Holtz told us that talent-wise, this was one of the worst recruiting classes he ever had, and was one of the worst in Notre Dame history,” recalled tight end Rod West, one of the signees that year. “There was not much expected of us, and a lot of the athletes were not on the ‘A’ list.”
This is one of the transcendent stories in Notre Dame lore. When this group arrived, the Irish were coming off a 5-6 season in 1985 — and then they too were 5-6 as freshmen in 1986.
By the time they graduated, though, they were the backbone of a school-record 23 consecutive victories and the 1988 national title. This was a consummate hard-hat, lunch bucket class. It brought some talent, but its work ethic and commitment to restoring Notre Dame’s glory is what enhanced the team chemistry.
BALANCE Except for a kicker and punter, there was a major contributor on every unit, with Rice being Holtz’s prototype quarterback. Seldom in college football have a coach and quarterback been more compatible than Holtz and Rice, whose option wizardry enabled the Irish to spread the field vertically and horizontally. No QB in college history started in more victories over top 10-ranked squads (nine) than Rice, who placed fourth in the 1989 Heisman Trophy balloting. After sitting out his freshman year as a Prop 48 casualty, Rice took over as the starter by the fourth game of his sophomore year amidst much outcry that “Notre Dame will never win big with an option quarterback.”
Complementing Rice in the backfield were fullbacks Johnson and Banks, and flanker/halfback Eilers.
Johnson, who would play 12 years in the NFL, tallied the most TDs (34) in the Holtz era while amassing more than 2,000 all-purpose yards. Banks and Eilers both scored TDs in the memorable 31-30 victory over No. 1-ranked Miami in 1988.
Blocking for them along the line were guard Grunhard and tackle Brown. In the NFL, Grunhard was ensconced as Kansas City’s center for 11 years. Deemed merely the fourth best lineman at Chicago’s St. Laurence High (behind Pearson, Paul Glonek and Mike Harazin), Grunhard manifested the hard-nosed “Grabowski” ilk of which this class was replete and ended up starting three seasons. Brown was nicknamed “Big Happy” and provided levity and bulk at right tackle.
A transfer from Yale, walk-on Eilers originally started his career at safety before switching to offense. He became a superb blocker at flanker and a stalwart on special teams en route to becoming a two-year starter and six-year NFL player.
On defense, the standouts were second-team All-American Alm for the line, two-time All-America Stonebreaker at linebacker and swift defensive backs Smagala and Terrell, all of whom played in the NFL.
The 6-7 Alm’s wingspan enabled him to record 124 tackles during Notre Dame’s 24-1 run in 1988-89, block nine passes, intercept four and alter many others.
Stonebreaker, who was sidelined in 1987 and 1989, totaled 220 tackles and five interceptions during his career.
Recruited merely by MAC schools, Smagala ‘s scholarship offer from previous Irish head coach Gerry Faust was grudgingly honored by Holtz. Smagala became a three-year starter at cornerback, with his signature moment an interception return for a score at 10-0 and No. 2-ranked USC in 1988.
Terrell’s career began at wide receiver before Holtz shifted him in ‘88 to free safety. A nine-year performer in the NFL, Terrell’s difference-making dossier included an interception return for a score against Miami in the ‘88 showdown, as well as deflecting the two-point conversion in the final minute.
DEPTH Providing quality reserve power during the 23-game winning streak were fullback Banks, defensive lineman Flannery and tight end West. Banks came up huge with two touchdown receptions as a freshman in the dramatic 38-37-comeback victory at USC in the 1986 season finale. During the 1988 national championship season, he stepped in for an injured Johnson at fullback and made several vital plays in a 30-20 comeback win at Pitt, followed by a TD reception in the upset of No. 1 Miami the following week.
Interestingly, the two must trumpeted players in the class ended up not starring for the Irish. USA Today Defensive Player of the Year John Foley had his career truncated after an injury in his sophomore year, and offensive lineman Jeff Pearson transferred to Michigan State at the conclusion of his sophomore year.
SUMMARY This class more than met the three criteria we set. It 1) played a significant role in Notre Dame’s rise from the ashes, 2) it had about a dozen major contributors – not just merely “serviceable” players – and 3) it was well rounded at myriad positions.
Far beyond those criteria were the intangibles and leadership they provided after Notre Dame had been mired in mediocrity from 1981-86 with a 35-32-1 record. In fact, 1985-86 is the only time the Irish had back-to-back losing seasons.
Overall, though, attitude, performance, results and contributing immensely to a major revival are what make this one of our 10 best classes to enroll at Notre Dame since 1946.
