The 2022 ISD Fab 50
I know some ISD subscribers care about my thoughts on the class as a whole, but they care more about the ISD Fab 50 from a Notre Dame perspective. To be honest, the initial list isn’t super friendly looking through that lens.
There are Notre Dame offers out to 30 of the 50 prospects on my list, but the Irish don’t appear to have a realistic shot (at least today) on any of my top-25 in this cycle. After that they are in the mix for quarterback Gavin Wimsatt (50), offensive tackle Aamil Wagner (48), linebacker Joshua Burnham (29), running back Gavin Sawchuk (38), safety Xavier Nwankpa (26), and safety Sherrod Covil Jr. (44).
Matt or Christian can answer it better than me, but I wouldn’t say that Notre Dame is the clear leader for any of them.
There are some prospects who just missed the cut that Notre Dame has a good shot at. Wide receivers Kaleb Brown (64) and Tyler Morris (66) are two that stand out because they could easily move into the Fab 50 when this is updated. Both haven’t played a junior season and will get that chance this spring.
That’s a theme with more than a few prospects who I think could make a move when they are able to put more film out into the world. That’s the reality of this weird recruiting cycle for some prospects to be taking part in 7 on 7 tournaments right now and then also getting ready to play football with pads very soon.
I do believe that the chances of players blowing up this spring and fall could shake things up drastically. We’ll have to wait and see if there is another Kyle Hamilton who emerges to be one of the top recruits in the country. B
efore that happens, here’s my initial ISD Fab 50 for 2022.
ISD Fab 50
- The 2022 recruiting cycle is a strong one. It’s amazing to write that even though there are many players who haven’t had a chance to play a junior season yet.
It’s a very strong class at defensive back with 12 of the 50 projected to play there in college (22 overall in my top-100). It’s also very strong at wide receiver, though, there are only six who make the initial 2022 Fab 50. There are 10 more who are in my top-100.
There are several elite quarterbacks that any program would love to sign. The same goes for defensive line and linebacker. I really like the overall depth of the class at those positions.
- I’m not as high on the offensive line and running back positions this cycle, but that could change with some players emerging this spring and summer. There are only four backs to make the Fab 50 and only five offensive linemen.
Tyler Booker is my highest rated O-line prospect (15). I had four O-linemen in my top-13 in the final 2021 Fab 50 and nine overall.
- Some prospects I am higher on than 247Sports, Rivals, and ESPN are Burnham, edge rusher Darris Smith (49), Wagner, wide receiver Chris Marshall (43), Covil Jr., and wide receiver Adam Randall (34).
- One thing that might stand out is no commitments to Alabama, but they didn’t start out on fire last cycle and look where things ended up. I wouldn’t get too caught up in thinking they might have a down year because those don’t exist under Nick Saban.
Ohio State has four players committed in the Fab 50. Georgia has three and Oklahoma has two.
- Covil Jr., OL Gunner Givens, DE Derrick Moore, CB Domani Jackson, LB Shawn Murphy, WR Tetairoa McMillan, RB Raleek Brown, and DT Travis Shaw are the players on the list who have not yet played their junior football seasons.
There are several players from states like Virginia, California, North Carolina, Maryland, and Washington who could make big moves in the next few months.
- Since I know someone will likely ask, I have Notre commitments JD Price at 89 and Tyson Ford at 99.
Other Notre Dame targets: DE Cyrus Moss (100), DT Anthony Lucas (90), DL Dani Dennis-Sutton (84), OL Joe Brunner (77), WR Kaden Saunders (75), WR Darrius Clemons (61), LB Lander Barton (54), S Kevin Winston (52)