Irish Sports Daily

The world of recruiting involves many "What if...?" scenarios. Notre Dame, like many schools, needs to be careful how it allots its final scholarships before hitting the eighty-five scholarship limit. Some general comments, and a few opinions, then onward to scenarios...

As I always do, it's time to remind recruiting fans that while it may be difficult to place their Blue & Gold recruiting glasses down (how could anyone actually pick a school other than Notre Dame...? Note the sarcasm), any number of the following situations could take place between now and signing day:

1) Notre Dame will lose at least one committed recruit to another school.

2) Notre Dame will sign at least one recruit currently committed to another school.

3) Yes, some recruits (or their "handlers") are on the take.  Notre Dame will lose recruits this year (and every year) because of this fact.

4) Notre Dame will shock the recruiting world with at least one decision by a seventeen-year old (in a good way).

5) Recruiting will continue to be unpredictable, now, and forever.

With all of that said, a few opinions.

1) The current recruiting class, as is, combined with the class of 2011 appears to be a great combination. In fact, assuming that the quarterback situation plays itself out well (Golson and/or Hendrix -- I'm done with Rees), Notre Dame will be a national title contender in 2013.

2) Notre Dame's defense will be suffocating 2013 due in large part to to the 2011 and 2012 recruiting classes. 

3) Notre Dame needs all of the skill position talent it can muster within this class.  Cornerback and wide receiver will be very green come the 2012 season.  Therefore, Notre Dame needs as many options as possible to fill the voids at those two positions so players gain the game experience necessary to be elite players come 2013. The same can be said running back and safety.

4) I am not sold on Devin Fuller as a quarterback, but he's such a dynamic athlete he deserves a shot to play quarterback at Notre Dame. He's an NFL talent.

5) I believe at least two of Ronald Darby, Tee Shepard and Deontay Greenberry will be freshman starters for the Irish.

Time to play scholarship math. While timing prevents a true pecking order, there are a few recruits I would go over the eighty-five man limit to sign:

Armond Armstead/Arik Armstead -- the brothers are both big-time talents. No decision necessary; Notre Dame needs defensive line talent like these two to win national title.

Nelson Agholor -- Look for Florida or Southern California (his childhood favorite) to win out, but he's such a dynamic playmaker that Notre Dame will keep a scholarship for him until he signs.

Josh Garnett -- Versatile offensive linemen like Garnett do not come along often.  He's such a physically gifted player that Notre Dame would be lucky to land him (although very unlikely). 

Brian Poole -- Besides his enormous talent, Poole brings the winning attitude that every championship team needs.  He's an incredible competitor. Hopefully the Irish coaching staff can gain at least one more in-home visit.

Several other recruits intrigue me, but the aforementioned recruits top the list for me.  Hopefully Notre Dame pulls at least one of its traditional surprises from this premiere group.

Overall, it's hard to be dissatisfied with Notre Dame's current recruiting situation. Several talented prospects remain on the board while the current commitments bring versatility and fill needs.  If the Irish finish with a bang, the chances of a 2013 national title run increase.