With the class of 2012 winding down the time to discuss the class of 2013 draws near. While not a full analysis like there will be after February 1, here's an overview of 2013 quarterback and running back needs with several likely prime recruiting targets included.
Barring something unforeseen, Notre Dame will finish the class of 2012 with seventeen to nineteen signees. Eighteen will be the barometer for this discussion, and that means keeping the current seventeen commitments and adding one more prospect (Anthony Standifer being the most likely). Overall, the projected number of recruits for the class of 2013 could vary from fifteen to twenty, largely depending on which fifth-year candidates decide to return to South Bend instead of entering the 2013 NFL Draft: Cierre Wood, Zach Martin, and Tyler Eifert. As a guess, Notre Dame should sign seventeen or eighteen prospects again next February (Irish fans should not expect any of the three aforementioned players to return for a fifth-year). Of course, the normal attrition will cause more roster spots to open up due to career ending injuries, transfers, etc.
Note: The prospects listed below may or may not hold an offer from Notre Dame today, and of course that could change; some of the recruits listed below fit the profile for what Notre Dame targeted during the past two recruiting cycles, but who knows, any number of the recruits may not receive any interest from Notre Dame, i.e. much speculation with regards to the class of 2013 targets. The order of recruits mentioned should be considered random and nothing more.
Quarterback: Notre Dame did a tremendous job over the course of the past two seasons with Everett Golson and Gunner Kiel joining the fold. Signing another signal caller will be tricky, at least from an initial expectation standpoint, because of the impending quarterback battle that will take place this upcoming March and April during spring practice. Depending on how Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly handles the situation, one or more of the current quarterbacks could transfer after spring practice if he/they feel that playing time/a starting position will not be realistic. Trying to predict this outcome proves foolish at this time. Thus, the projected number of quarterbacks that a class of 2013 quarterback prospect will be expected to compete with, for this report, will be the three current quarterbacks on the roster plus Kiel.
Need: 0-1.
Kohl Stewart, 6-3, 185, Houston, TX (St. Pius)
Asiantii Woulard, 6-4, 205, Winter Park, FL
Matt Alviti, 6-0, 180, Park Ridge, IL (Maine South)
Darryl Richardson, 6-5, 230, Seffner, FL (Armwood)
Tyrone Swoopes, 6-5, 220, Whitewright, TX
Aaron Bailey, 6-2, 200, Bolingbrook, IL
Cord Sandberg, 6-3, 205, Bradenton, FL (Manatee)
Riley Ferguston, 6-2, 190, Matthews, NC (Butler)
Running Back: The running back position will be hard to judge as well. Will any of the current running backs or KeiVarae Russell move to another position? Only the players and coaches know the answers to those questions, if anyone. The top target will be a particular Joliet (Catholic) phenom, and not just because he's a great player. If Notre Dame is not the college destination, Ann Arbor very well could be. That's no good. Several other intriguing 2013 prospects could find themselves in Blue & Gold as well.
Need: 1-2
A.J. Turman, 6-0, 200, Orlando, FL (Boone)
Greg Bryant, 5-11, 195, Delray Beach, FL (American Heritage)
Keith Ford, 5-11, 205, Cypress, TX (Cypress Ranch)
Lorenzo Woodley, 6-0, 210, Miami, FL (Columbus)
Ty Isaac, 6-2, 220, Joliet, IL (Catholic)
Lorenzo Woodley, 6-0, 210, Miami, FL (Columbus)
Ty Isaac, 6-2, 220, Joliet, IL (Catholic)
Tarean Folston, 5-11, 185, Cocoa, FL
Tyshon Dye, 6-0, 200, Elberton, GA (Elbert County)
Keyante Green, 5-9, 180, McDonough, GA (Eagle's Landing Christian)
Ryan Green, 5-10, 195, St. Petersburg, FL (Catholic)
David Williams, 6-0, 180, Philadelphia, PA (West Catholic)
Gerald Holmes, 6-0, 205, Flint, MI (Carman Ainsworth)
More position analysis over the course of the next few weeks.
Keyante Green, 5-9, 180, McDonough, GA (Eagle's Landing Christian)
Ryan Green, 5-10, 195, St. Petersburg, FL (Catholic)
David Williams, 6-0, 180, Philadelphia, PA (West Catholic)
Gerald Holmes, 6-0, 205, Flint, MI (Carman Ainsworth)
More position analysis over the course of the next few weeks.
