2020 Recruiting | What Now?
After scoring commitments from offensive lineman Michael Carmody on Sunday and cornerback Clarence Lewis days earlier, the Irish currently stand at 13 total pledges in the Class of 2020.
So, now what?
As is always the case, the size of Notre Dame’s class will be in flux until the end, but as of now, the Irish are likely to bring in somewhere around 22 total prospects, leaving room for about nine more.
Carmody joins Arizona offensive tackle Tosh Baker and his pledge essentially closes down recruiting on the offensive line while Lewis’ commitment really just kicked things off in the secondary, where they could still bring in two more cornerbacks and a pair of safeties.
Notre Dame could still go after Colorado’s Andrew Gentry, but he plans to take a mission before enrolling, so would be more of a 2022 recruit than 2020.
Caleb Offord would figure to be the best bet at cornerback and maybe in the entire class right now. The Mississippi native scheduled an official visit to Notre Dame for next weekend, only days after an unofficial visit to South Bend. Landen Bartleson will also be on campus next weekend and the Irish would appear to be in the strongest position for him as well. Clark Phillips is still the top target on the board, but Notre Dame will need to find a way to reverse the momentum Ohio State has had over the last few weeks with him.
At safety, Notre Dame hosted Lathan Ransom on an official visit last weekend and now has to wait as he takes officials to Texas and Ohio State in consecutive weeks. He doesn’t have an announcement date set, but this figures to be his last round of visits. New Jersey’s RJ Moten is another top target at safety after receiving an offer last month. He’s looking at getting to South Bend as soon as he can. Michigan would be the top competition for Moten. Virginia’s Malcolm Greene is another safety to keep an eye on.
Notre Dame doesn’t see linebacker as an absolute need in this class, but if the Irish do end up with room for one, Cody Simon seems like the best bet to join the at this point. That is looking less likely by the day, though.
The Irish are in serious contention for Maryland defensive end Mitchell Melton, who took an official visit last week. If they can get him to go with defensive tackle Aidan Keanaaina and ends Jordan Botelho, Alexander Ehrensberger and Rylie Mills, that would shut things down on the defensive line for 2020.
The Irish also have a commitment from long snapper Alex Peitsch.
Offensively, they’re done at quarterback – Drew Pyne – and tight end – Kevin Bauman and Michael Mayer.
The recent news of Notre Dame and Cullen Coleman deciding to part ways suggests the Irish are comfortable with having a one-back class with Chris Tyree and probably says more about their positioning with Melton at defensive end than anything about their standing with other running backs.
That leaves wide receiver.
Notre Dame is still looking for some wideouts to pair with Jordan Johnson. The Irish may have some decisions to make as to how many they want to add, which could be as many as three. Jay Brunelle, who landed an offer from Notre Dame at last week’s Irish Invasion, seems like a good bet to join the group along with Xavier Watts, who could also help at corner visits next weekend. If both decided to come on board soon, focus would shift to AJ Henning, who took an official to Notre Dame last month, and Jalen McMillan, who plans on coming for an official during the fall.
Notre Dame is in serious contention for both, but the Irish aren’t locks for either with Henning looking seriously at Georgia and Michigan while Washington and USC look like the biggest competition for McMillan.
Ideally, Notre Dame is able to get Brunelle, Watts, Melton and Offord on board soon and then focus on McMillan and Henning along with the necessary defensive backs to round out a strong class.
Ideally.
Check out the full ISD Target List HERE