ESPN Releases Top 300 for 2021
ESPN gets lost in the shuffle with its recruiting coverages over the lasts few years, but the rankings still count for something and offer a different perspective.
Notre Dame's 2021 commitments fall in very similar spots in ESPN's newly released top 300 compared to other outlets.
Quarterback Tyler Buchner checks in at No. 39 overall with an 87 rating, which makes him a four-star prospect. The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder is listed as the No. 9 quarterback, which is a little baffling, but as we’ve seen, there isn’t a single indicator for quarterback success.
Tight end Cane Berrong checks in at No. 51 on ESPN. Berrong is one of the hardest workers in the 2021 class and had a productive season last fall. He’s been all over the place in the rankings for each site and at the end of the day, Notre Dame locked in one of the top tight end prospects in 2021.
Offensive lineman Blake Fisher rolls in at No. 103 and I definitely feel that’s low for him. However, don’t feel bad, Blake, as ESPN has Georgia linebacker Barrett Carter one spot behind you.
Defensive lineman Gabriel Rubio is a little lower than most services as ESPN has him at No. 163. Much like Fisher, I believe Rubio is also a top 100 kid, but both players will be hurt when it comes to rankings with no camp season.
The No. 243 player in the country on ESPN is receiver Lorenzo Styles Jr. I’ll say I disagree with that ranking and leave it at that.
Mansfield Legacy (Texas) defensive end David Abiara is the final 2021 Notre Dame commit in the ESPN 300 as he checks in at No. 280. Jamie and I agree he’s got the raw tools to become a big-time prospect in college, but he’ll need development to fine-tune his game. This ranking is pretty fair in my opinion.
Other 2021 Notable Prospects
22. RB Will Shipley
32. OL Garrett Dellinger
34. OL Nolan Rucci
65. OL Rocco Spindler
68. RB Donovan Edwards
72. WR Deion Colzie
90. WR Donte Thornton Jr.
109. CB Ceyair Wright
144. CB Dreyden Norwood
157. OL Reuben Fatheree
171. ATH Kendal Daniels
219. WR Jayden Thomas
295. LB Morice Blackwell
Where they stack up:
Buchner
Composite: 29
247: 49
Rivals: 43
ESPN: 39
Styles
Composite: 116
247: 135
Rivals: 37
ESPN: 243
Berrong
Composite: 159
247: 217
Rivals: N/A
ESPN: 51
Coogan
Composite: 518
247: No national rank
Rivals: No national rank
ESPN: No national rank
Fisher
Composite: 54
247: 82
Rivals: 20
ESPN: 103
Rubio
Composite: 120
247: 149
Rivals: 99
ESPN: 163
Abiara
Composite: 334
247: No national rank
Rivals: No national rank
ESPN: 280
Walters
Composite: 490
247: No national rank
Rivals: No national rank
ESPN: No national rank