As we look at the first installment of our annual Top 25 list, it’s a reminder that Brian Kelly knows how to recruit.
While we’ve trudged through this topic more than once, one of the biggest concerns after Kelly’s hiring was his ability to recruit against the power programs in college football. Succeeding only at lower-profile schools, there was a strong narrative established by those that weren’'t enthusiastic about the hire that Kelly and his hand-picked staff lacked the ability to battle the big boys of college football.
Nothing obliterates that fallacy like the first five names on our list. Each of these players was a blue-chip recruit, one of the top players at not just their respective position, but in the country. While the group is high on promise, these players haven’t yet made an impact, though three can be excused -- they haven’t seen the field yet.
Let’s walk through the first five entries in our rankings:
RANKINGS
25. Max Redfield (S, Fr.) At a position that’s seen a ton of promising young talent infused into the depth chart, Redfield might be the best prospect to hit campus at his position since Tommy Zbikowski. (To be fair, Redfield is probably a better prospect than Tommy Z.)
The Southern California native comes to campus with high expectations, though how he’ll work into a fairly crowded depth chart at safety is anyone’s guess. News that the Irish coaching staff was looking at Redfield spending some time on the offensive side of the ball as well made some waves, but reminds you of the safety’s explosive athleticism and great size.
Last year, KeiVarae Russell became a true freshman starter in the secondary. While the move was more out of necessity, Redfield has the potential and ability, though playing safety in Bob Diaco’s defense requires a good mix of athleticism and mastery of defensive concepts.
Highest Ranking: 14th. Lowest Ranking: Unranked (four ballots)
24. Elijah Shumate (S, Soph.) One player likely standing in the way of Redfield seeing significant playing time is Shumate. A season after shifting and playing well at cornerback and defending slot receivers, Shumate is moving back to his natural safety position, where the Irish think they have a standout athlete that’s ready to make an impact.
This spring Shumate started opposite Farley, manning the field side of the defense. While that was partially a product of Nicky Baratti recovering from surgery, Shumate is the prototype athlete the Irish want at the back of their defense, with the six-foot, 213-pounder an impressive specimen.
After appearing in all thirteen games during his freshman season, Shumate showed plenty of cover skills, breaking up three passes on the year. Brian Kelly all but stated that Shumate is the guy expected to start this fall. After playing a bit role in the Irish defense as a freshman, he’ll be expected to do much more in his second season.
Highest Ranking: 16th. Lowest Ranking: Unranked (one ballot).
23. Jaylon Smith (OLB, Fr.) By just about every measure, Smith was one of the top five recruits in the country, the highest profile defensive player signed by Notre Dame in the modern recruiting era. Projected to play outside linebacker, the biggest question mark isn’t necessarily if Smith will help the Irish, but how.
Among the few off-the-record reports coming from voluntary summer workouts is Smith’s impressive work, where the slightly undersized linebacker has reportedly pushed his weight to the 230-pound range. That’s plenty big enough for a traditional 4-3 outside linebacker, but still a little slight in the Irish’s defensive structure.
That said, Smith’s arrival in South Bend gives Bob Diaco a Ferrari that he’ll all but need to take out of the garage. Whether that means finding snaps for the freshman in place of Danny Spond at the field-side linebacker position, as a pass rush specialist with his hand on the ground, or as a cover-man, right now, we’ve heard that Smith can do it all. Now, living up to the considerable hype will be Smith’s biggest task.
Highest Ranking: 12th. Lowest Ranking: Unranked (one ballot).
22. Ishaq Williams (OLB/DE, Jr.) Like the rest of this group, Williams was a five-star recruit with elite skills. Yet in his third year in the program, the Irish coaching staff (not to mention the fanbase) is still waiting for the lightbulb to go on for the talented edge player.
At a shade over 6-foot-5 and 261-pounds, Williams is the prototype Cat linebacker for Bob Diaco’s defense. Yet finding his way onto the field has been a challenge, mostly because he’s been stuck behind Prince Shembo, but also because it’s been a fairly steep learning curve for Williams.
There’s no doubt that Williams is one of the team’s most talented players, though he hasn’t been able to unleash those skills and become the dominant pass rusher and edge player that we’re still waiting to see. After a sophomore season that saw Williams see mostly situational work in all 13 games, the future is now for one of the front seven’s most versatile athletes.
Highest Ranking: 18th. Lowest Ranking: Unranked (one ballot).
21. Greg Bryant (RB, Fr.) Of all the talented newcomers on our list, Bryant is the highest rated true freshman. That’s likely a product not just of his touted recruiting ranking or his college-ready physique, but also the realities of the running back depth chart.
Bryant is the Irish’s most highly sought after offensive recruit since Jimmy Clausen, giving you an idea of the expectations heaped on the freshman back. And at a position that’s as close to plug and play as can be, if the recruiting services are correct with their evaluations, Bryant could very quickly make himself a key part of the Irish’s ground game.
Not the biggest, fastest, or strongest running back, Bryant is expected to be a super-charged Theo Riddick. That’d make Irish fans plenty happy, with Bryant’s versatility making him the most utilized weapon in last season’s offensive attack. Still, freshmen haven’t walked onto campus and made a huge impact under Kelly, so keeping expectations in check might be important.
Highest Ranking: 11th. Lowest Ranking: Unranked (two ballots).
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Just Missing the Cut: K/P Kyle Brindza, OT Ronnie Stanley, OLB Romeo Okwara, OT Steve Elmer.