WATCH: On3 recruiting expert gives rankings predictions for Notre Dame’s 2023 class
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has a shot at signing a historically good 2023 class, his first at the helm of a program. It’s still early, but the Irish are in a very good position right now, per On3 director of recruiting and scouting, Charles Power.
Can Freeman and Co. maintain the current No. 1 spot in the On3 Consensus Team Recruiting Rankings? If not, what’s a realistic expectation for where the class might land?
“It’s difficult to pinpoint which teams we really think are going to make a run at the No. 1, top-five, top-10 spots, but I think Notre Dame has a real shot of finishing top five…They would probably need to run the table to have a shot at being No. 1, just historically speaking.”
Power added the typical top classes in recent years — Alabama, Texas A&M, Georgia — have had an average rating upwards of 93. Notre Dame is currently sitting at 93.810 with around half of the class filled out. In total, the Irish have 13 commits — one five star, 11 four stars and a three star. The group is headlined by five-star EDGE Keon Keeley, who is the No. 3 recruit in the country (and top non-quarterback) according to On3.
Several other big-time targets, including five-star quarterback Dante Moore and top-40 defensive lineman Jason Moore — are still on the board. Notre Dame is the favorite for both players according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.
Notre Dame’s best class under Brian Kelly came in 2013 when the Irish finished fourth in the On3 rankings. Can they get top that?
“A top-five class, I think, would be phenomenal for Notre Dame for Marcus Freeman’s first full cycle,” Power said.
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Head coach involvement in recruiting ‘almost a must’ nowadays
When Freeman took the head coaching job, he was adamant from Day 1 that he would be Notre Dame’s leading recruiter. His assistants would have to follow. And he meant it. Freeman wrapped up his introductory press conference and immediately hopped on a plane to go out on the recruiting trail.
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According to Power, that type of attitude toward recruiting is what is necessary to maintain near-elite status in modern college football.
“I think nowadays with high-level college football, you look at the schools that recruit the best, and the head coach is the point man,” Power said. “I think that’s almost a must at this point if you’re going to be in that top-five range. How your head coach and assistants are able to close is a big deal.
“I think having Marcus Freeman running point on all of these prospects would move things in the right direction.”
It’s seems to be doing so right now.
