Kelly outlines ND recruiting model; evals Burrow, Tua

The recruitments oftentimes stop before they start.

What Notre Dame is seeking in its football recruiting classes, long national endeavors and more recently including an expanded global path, is so specific, coach Brian Kelly says, that the Fighting Irish eliminate many prospects in the earliest stages of evaluations.

“Well, we can’t even go down that path where somebody is interested in just, you know, obviously they understand college and they understand that they’ve got to stay in school, and that a degree is important, but if it’s not part of their decision-making,” Kelly told Colin Cowherd Wednesday on the Herd, “in other words that they understand the value of an education and what a Notre Dame degree will do for them, 40 years down the road, then we’re probably not even getting in that battle.

“Because we’re not going to win it.”

Kelly stressed on the nationally syndicated show that the Notre Dame program must maintain its nationwide recruiting scope and its tailored profile of prospects in order to keep the program both competing at the highest levels on the field and upholding the school’s rigorous demands.

“We have to be able to go from Washington state to Washington, D.C., to find those young men that understand it’s a 4-for-40, four years and 40 years,” Kelly said. “In other words, that this degree is going to give you an opportunity to open doors for 40 years.”

Though the Irish remain staunchly independent, despite playing five Atlantic Coast Conference foes per year, Kelly also believes the program’s national schedule still affords a path to compete for national championships and exposure in NFL markets, as well as other unique opportunities. Notre Dame is scheduled this fall to play games in five NFL stadiums plus Dublin, Ireland.

“And then also, have a chance to be in the playoffs and have a run at a championship,” Kelly said. “And play an incredible schedule in venues all over the country, from Ireland to L.A. To New York City to Las Vegas.

“So, that’s really the push here on our end.”

KELLY: LAWRENCE ‘TORE US APART’

Asked about the Irish’s scheduled matchup with powerhouse Clemson scheduled for late-November in Notre Dame Stadium, and specifically the Tigers’ sensational quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, Kelly heaped praise upon the Clemson junior.

“Trevor is a guy that can make the throws anywhere on the field,” Kelly said. “But he’s going to be in an offense that features his ability to run as well.

“Not that Joe (Burrow) can’t run, he can. He’s got toughness as I mentioned. Trevor’s a guy that you can move out of the pocket, he can make throws, he can run the football. We played them obviously in the playoffs, and his ability to see the field, his vision, he’s a complete quarterback. He played against us as a freshman and just tore us a apart.”

KELLY EVALS BURROW, TUA

It’s a single-season performance that Brian Kelly isn’t sure he’s ever seen.

Like some NFL personnel, Kelly wishes there was just a little bit more video of Joe Burrow, the Ohio native and presumed first overall pick in next week’s scheduled NFL Draft.

But Kelly is impressed with Burrow – and also doesn’t believe injury concerns should stop a team from drafting outgoing Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa

“Well, I think the thing that stands out that was an incredible consistency to his performance, was he threw strikes,” Kelly said of Burrow. “His accuracy level was as good as I’ve ever seen in a very short career.

“Obviously, we would have liked to have seen it for two or three years, but for a year, and what he did in one season relative to his accuracy and throwing the football, was just off the charts. I think the other thing that stood out was his makeup, a toughness to him, almost in a linebacker-sense.”

Kelly said Tagovailoa’s natural talent, in Kelly’s mind, outweighs concerns that linger about Tagovailoa’s health. The former Crimson Tide quarterback, whom Notre Dame would have faced in the CFP Championship had it defeated Clemson in the 2018 playoffs semifinals, endured a pair of ankle procedures, a wrist injury and most notably a season-ending hip-injury in 2019.

“Well, the ankle, not too worried,” Kelly said. “The type of procedure is one where, really, those are sprains where Alabama has a version of their treatment that requires them to follow a certain protocol that’s different than most. Those two, I’m not really concerned.

“The hip obviously that is a little more concerning, but it seems as though he’s come back beautifully.”

Asked how Kelly would handle a similar situation if it was a high school recruit, Notre Dame’s coach offered a look into his thought-process.

“I would have just required to see a personal workout,” Kelly said. “And I think (Tua’s) shown enough in those workouts that would take away any of the concerns that people have about him. Once you were able to see him move around and show no ill effects of that, he’s a young kid that is obviously going to get stronger physically.

“I would not pass on somebody of his talent because of the injury.”