The Big Boys

Rivals released its 2010 Rivals 100 and it's nice to see that ND is out to a fast start again this year (as the coaching crew was in 2008, and not so much in 2009). 

Despite mixed results on the field, everyone agrees that Weis has brought ND back in recruiting.  It will be very interesting to see how things change this year with the addition of 2 new aces on the recruiting trail (Alford and The Duche), and a wisened veteran in Hart.  Polian and Ianello will no doubt keep things strong with Charlie, but who knows what the rest of the returning staff will bring to the table (anything?).

But, ND is off to that fast start with offers and appears to be in consideration for some of the best players in the Rivals 100 list.

So far, ND has a commitment from #12 Chris Martin, but the Irish are in consideration among a huge proportion of the Rivals 100, and especially the higher-ranked players.

28 of the Rivals 100 have ND on their consideration list (caveat:  some of these lists are HUGE and we're bound to be dropped by a number of them fairly early - but, we're still on the list).   Even more impressive, all but 5 of these guys are in the top 50 on the list.  So ND has 23 of 50, for just shy of a 50% hit rate, on the top 50 players in the country.

Peeling that onion one layer further, the concentration at the top of the chart gets even more pronounced, as ND is being considered by 15 of the Top 25 (60% hit rate), and 7 of the Top 10 (you can do the math here, yes?)!!!!

So the coaches have gotten 70+ offers out there, and they've sparked some interest in the Irish among the top players in the class of 2010.  Excellent.  With three great 4/5 star commits already in the fold, ND is looking good so far for next year's class.  Of course, the results on the field this fall and the subsequent vindication/firing of Weis will have a huge impact on results this year no matter what.

This is already holding true.  #1 ranked Seantrel Henderson has been rumored to be a big Irish lean for a long time, but it's been rumored that Weis' somewhat precarious situation is what's holding him back (for now).  A big fall campaign looks like it would almost certainly bring this HOUSE of a teenager into the fold, assuming things don't change between now and then. 

Other players of note include other 5-star players Darius White, Marcus Lattimore, Jackson Jeffcoat, Lamarcus Joyner, James Hurst, and Jeff Luc. 

Others to watch are Kyle Prater and Anthony Barr, #'s 18 and 19 respectively, who are rumored to be potential gets for ND. 

So let's go fellas - let's get out there and reel these boys in.   Look to the Blue and Gold game for 1, maybe 2 or even 3 commitments.  

LET'S GO IRISH!