[2024] Notre Dame Fighting Irish Stories – Recruiting mid-season review

[LordLittlebutt]

This article was originally published July 18, 2024, in The Observer, a student run publication serving the University of Notre Dame, St. Mary’s College and Holy Cross College. Re-posted on delay as agreed to with co-editors J.J. Jameson, P. White, reporters V. Vale, L. Lane and photographer J. Olsen, Jr. Photographer P. Parker.  

 

While her loyal sons and daughters

 

Welcome to our special recruiting update issue of The Observer. We’ve pulled some info on the Notre Dame commits so far this season and we’ll get Coach Littlebutt to comment for you.

 

TheO:    Thanks for taking the time to review the year’s class of recruiting commits Coach. The first 15 recruits have committed and we’ve laid them out here and would love to get your comments.

 

LLB:        No problem, I’m glad to introduce these guys to the Irish faithful.

 

TheO:    We’ve got an overview and then we’ll go by position:

Class Rank	First	Last	Will Play	Position	Archetype	Stars	Ovrl	Pot	Pos. Rank	Pos/Arch Rank
90	Jason	Hagedorn	C ?	ATH	Lineman	4	B	C+	3*	?
106	Jonathan	Jackson	QB	ATH	Triple Threat	4	B	A-	7	1*
112	Pablo	Leon	LB/SS	ATH	Bandit	4	B	C-	10	2
86	Jeffrey	Yee	CB	CB	Ball Hawk	4	B	C+	9	5
861	James	Davidson	CB	CB	Man Coverage	3	C	B-	85	35
425	Hector	Avila	DE	DE	Speed Rusher	4	C	A-	33	11
421	Martin	Dudley	DT	DT	Pass Rusher	4	C	B-	14	5
454	David	West	FS	FS	Run Stopper	4	C	C	25	5
868	Charles	Sharif	FS	FS	Man Coverage	3	C	A-	43	11
184	Robert	DeGarmo	OG	OG	Pass Blocking	4	B	C+	20	9
103	Jorge	Totten	OT	OT	Pass Blocking	4	B	B-	17	9
710	Fadi	Roberts	OT	OT	Pass Blocking	3	C	B	65	26
758	Goran	Forbis	OT	OT	Pass Blocking	3	C	C+	72	28
122	Isaac	Martinez	P	P	Balanced	4	B	C	2	1
188	Richad	Roberson	RB	RB	Receiving	4	B	C+	16	12

 

 

First up, Quarterback, Jonathan Jackson

Rank-Class	First	Last	Will Play	Position	Archetype	Stars	Ovrl	Pot	Pos. Rank	Pos/Arch Rank
106	Jonathan	Jackson	QB	ATH	Triple Threat	4	B	A-	7	1*

LLB:        That’s right, we’re really excited to bring JJ on, forecasting him to be quarterback for us. We’re going to see about him developing into a field general type QB that fits our scheme. If that unfolds the way we hope, he’ll wind up as the top field general available in this class. We’ll see how he finishes in the popular Elite Eleven evaluation, we think he’ll be tops, but we are pretty biased.  There’s an outside chance we add another QB to the class, but JJ’s going to be our guy for the future.

 

TheO:    Running back is next, Richard Roberson:

Rank-Class	First	Last	Will Play	Position	Archetype	Stars	Ovrl	Pot	Pos. Rank	Pos/Arch Rank
188	Richad	Roberson	RB	RB	Receiving	4	B	C+	16	12

 

LLB:        We’ve got 2 strong running backs coming back, but we think Richad can be the future for us, top 200 player in the class, top 20 RB and top 12 Receiving back. With where we are on the roster this is likely our only running back recruit this year.

 

TheO:    Guard: Robert DeGarmo:

Rank-Class	First	Last	Will Play	Position	Archetype	Stars	Ovrl	Pot	Pos. Rank	Pos/Arch Rank
184	Robert	DeGarmo	OG	OG	Pass Blocking	4	B	C+	20	9

 

LLB:        We really focused on pass blocking for the offensive line, and excited to have another top 200 overall player committing to Notre Dame. Top 20 guard, top 10 pass blocking guard. He’ll learn a ton from Oledipo and be ready to play. We’ve got a strong guard group, but if we have a chance, we might consider adding to the class here.

 

TheO:    Offensive Tackle: Jorge Totten, Fadi Roberts, Goran Forbis

Rank-Class	First	Last	Will Play	Position	Archetype	Stars	Ovrl	Pot	Pos. Rank	Pos/Arch Rank
103	Jorge	Totten	OT	OT	Pass Blocking	4	B	B-	17	9
710	Fadi	Roberts	OT	OT	Pass Blocking	3	C	B	65	26
758	Goran	Forbis	OT	OT	Pass Blocking	3	C	C+	72	28

 

LLB:        We’re really pleased with this group. Totten is very impressive, another top 20 at the position, top 10 pass blocking tackle. Roberts and Forbis should contribute, both top 30 pass blocking tackles in the class. We’ve got our eye on a fourth prospect to help with the depth we need in this position.

 

The O: Center, is Jason Hagedorn the odds-on favorite here?

Rank-Class	First	Last	Will Play	Position	Archetype	Stars	Ovrl	Pot	Pos. Rank	Pos/Arch Rank
90	Jason	Hagedorn	C ?	ATH	Lineman	4	B	C+	3*	?

 

LLB:        We are projecting Jason at Center. The second highest Lineman type athlete and at Center would be the number 3 Center in the class if things go that way. He’s extremely versatile, we’ll see how he does, there’s a chance he might be better on the other side of the ball. We know he’ll contribute and potentially right away. Given what we’ve seen in the Centers coming out this year, we may have to lean into our Guards to provide some depth at the position. And, there is always the transfer portal to check out.

 

TheO:    Switching over to defense, let’s start back at Cornerback, Jeffrey Yee and James Davidson:

Rank-Class	First	Last	Will Play	Position	Archetype	Stars	Ovrl	Pot	Pos. Rank	Pos/Arch Rank
86	Jeffrey	Yee	CB	CB	Ball Hawk	4	B	C+	9	5
861	James	Davidson	CB	CB	Man Coverage	3	C	B-	85	35

 

LLB:        Our top recruit by overall ranking, Jeff Yee is a top 10 corner, and the 5^th highest rated Ball Hawk type. Jeff may well play as a true freshmen, we’ll see how spring practice goes. We really like JimmyD for depth at corner.  We’ll likely keep our eyes open for another corner as well.

 

TheO:    Safety, David West and Charles Sharif:

Rank-Class	First	Last	Will Play	Position	Archetype	Stars	Ovrl	Pot	Pos. Rank	Pos/Arch Rank
454	David	West	FS	FS	Run Stopper	4	C	C	25	5
868	Charles	Sharif	FS	FS	Man Coverage	3	C	A-	43	11

 

LLB:        David West is a strong contender for us, top 25 at the position, top 5 Run Stopper type free safety. Sharif adds some great depth, with a high upside, our scouts think he’ll develop into a solid starter for us.

 

TheO:    Linebacker, Pablo Leon

Rank-Class	First	Last	Will Play	Position	Archetype	Stars	Ovrl	Pot	Pos. Rank	Pos/Arch Rank
112	Pablo	Leon	LB/SS	ATH	Bandit	4	B	C-	10	2

 

LLB:        Another super versatile player, Pablo is being projected at linebacker, but there’s a shot he lands as a better fit at strong safety. Top 100 talent, top 10 linebacker, top 2 potential by type for our scheme fit. This was a big get for us and we know he’s going to be great for the Irish.

 

TheO:    Defensive Line, Hector Avila and Martin Dudley:

Rank-Class	First	Last	Will Play	Position	Archetype	Stars	Ovrl	Pot	Pos. Rank	Pos/Arch Rank
425	Hector	Avila	DE	DE	Speed Rusher	4	C	A-	33	11
421	Martin	Dudley	DT	DT	Pass Rusher	4	C	B-	14	5

 

LLB:        Another great pair of athletes. We are in really good shape at defensive end, but Hector will keep that pipeline filled, we expect great things from him. Marty will put some more pressure on opposing QBs, top 15 defensive tackle, top 5 pass rushing DT. Both of these guys will develop into stars for us.

 

TheO:    Punter, Isaac Martinez

Rank-Class	First	Last	Will Play	Position	Archetype	Stars	Ovrl	Pot	Pos. Rank	Pos/Arch Rank
122	Isaac	Martinez	P	P	Balanced	4	B	C	2	1

 

LLB:        Not every team pays attention to the kicking game, but we approached Isaac early and made a hard push for him and it paid off. One of the top 2 rated punters and the number 1 balanced type, we have our punter for the next few years. I would never say punting is winning, but sometimes close games come down to field position and the punter can be a very effective weapon.

 

TheO:    Thanks for spending some time introducing these newcomers for us Coach. We’ll check back in once recruiting is complete.

 

LLB:        You’re welcome. Once the class is in we can review our projected 2025 depth chart and see how things are shaping up for next season. GO IRISH!

 

Edited July 23 by LordLittlebutt