ND in the Hunt for Top Talent

The Rivals 100 is out and the 'considering list' feature shows us that ND is in the picture for about one-third (32 of the Top 100 to be exact) of the best players in the country. ND is in on 2 of the Top 10, 4 of the Top 20, 12 of the Top 50, and 22 of the Top 75. Granted, this is just interest, and ND may or may not have a solid chance with any of these guys, but it's good to see ND on the list so much. Note that we're nowhere near where a Texas, Florida or USC fall in the list (where most kids have them on there), but we can still see that Coach Kelly and ND remain an interesting option for a lot of the best players out there.

ND's 32 targets include two 5-star prospects in Cyrus Kouandjio (OL) at #7 and Malcolm Brown (RB) at #10.

Cyrus the Virus could be ND-bound.

There are only eleven 5-star prospects, so being in on 2 isn't really all that bad. Let's hope that Coach Kelly can land one of them.

The rest of the list are 4-stars ranging from Mike Bellamy at #13 to Bubba Starling at #99. The average rank for ND's recruits in the Top 100 is 60, and they span the country and a wide variety of positions. Matt Hegarty (32) and Ben Koyack (71) are the two ND-committed players on the list. Hoping to add to that soon.

Of personal note for me are Greg Townsend (yes, THAT Townsend) Jr., from Beverly Hills, who I've seen play a few times (including a game against Shaq's team 2 years back where he broke through the line to block an extra point and fire up a rally that led to a BH win). He's a really athletic kid, and from what I understand he could do a ton more on the work ethic side. If he does that, he could be special down the line. I've seen him play from his frosh year on, and he's fun to watch when he shows up. I've heard he's a USC lean, but that's all rumor at this point. Interesting to see if he gives ND a shake.

Also of interest is Bubba Starling at #99. He's ND's top target at QB and will be visiting campus again this month (for the 3rd time), hopefully in order to give that commitment.

Other members of the Top 100 considering ND are: Ray Drew (15), Aaron Green (21), Austin Seferian-Jenkins (29), Demetrius Hart (34), Jay Rome (40), Antonio Richardson (44), Deanthony Arnett (49), Brey Cook (51), Ishaq Williams (52), Josh Turner (55), Braxton Miller (56), Savon Huggins (57), Anthony Zettel (58), Stephon Tuitt (59), Bobby Hart (70), Cyrus Hobbi (72), Colt Lyerla (80), Christian French (84), Wayne Lyons (85), Brennan Scarlet (86), Aaron Lynch (90), Charone Peake (91), Trey DePriest (93), Lamar Dawson (95), Giorgio Newberry (97), and Todd Bar (98).