Notre Dame 2020 Recruiting: By The Numbers
Since July 5 and the verbal commit then of Nebraska wide receiver recruit Xavier Watts, Notre Dame has had 17 verbal commits in the fold.
Sixteen of those 17 officially inked with the Fighting Irish this Wednesday morning to begin the early signing period (Dec. 18-20), and the 17th, Hawai'i defensive end Jordan Botelho, is anticipated to have it in by noon Eastern Standard Time.
Notre Dame also is awaiting a potential No. 18 addition from Bakersfield, Calif., three-star cornerback Ramon Henderson, who would be signing around 4:30 p.m. EST.
Among the 17 signed, there is one five-star, nine four-stars, six three-stars and a two-star figure in long snapper Alex Peitsch.
In the meantime, here is some data from the class of 2020, which is expected to finish somewhere in the No. 12 to No. 16 range among recruiting services.
4 Rivals top-50 players: St. Louis De Smet wide receiver Jordan Johnson (No. 25), and four-star figures in Park Hills (Ky.) Covington Catholic tight end Michael Mayer (No. 37), Chester (Va.) Thomas Dale running back Chris Tyree (No. 43) and Phoenix Pinnacle offensive tackle Tosh Baker (No. 48).
Four others were classified among the Top 250: New Canaan (Conn.) High quarterback Drew Pyne (No. 118), Red Bank (N.J.) Catholic tight end Kevin Bauman (No. 130), Lake Forest (Ill.) High defensive tackle Rylie Mills (No. 161) and Honolulu St. Louis defensive end Botelho (No. 198).
5 Stars given to Johnson by Rivals. He is the first five-star prospect signed by the Fighting Irish since defensive end Daelin Hayes in 2016, and the first such wideout prospect since Michael Floyd in 2008.
However, long snapper Peitsch — a position that is generally given two stars by recruiting services — received a five-star rating from Kohl’s Kicking as the nation’s top player at his position. He will have a chance in 2020 to succeed three-year starter John Shannon, who is graduating and will transition into law enforcement.
6.30 Time ran by Tyree in the 55-meter dash this February to win the Virginia state meet — and the fastest posted in the nation this year by a high school athlete.
For context purposes, the standard of all speed in Notre Dame annals — recent College Football Hall of Fame enshrine Raghib “Rocket” Ismail — had a personal best of 6.07 in the event while at Notre Dame, finishing second in the NCAA Championships. In high school, Ismail was reportedly clocked at 6.28 in the 55 meters.
7 Early enrollees who will arrive at Notre Dame for the start of spring semester Jan. 13: Botelho, Mills, Pyne, Watts, Shrewsbury (Mass.) St. John’s wide receiver Jay Brunelle, Dusseldorf (Germany) Fryeburg Academy defensive end Alexander Ehrensberger and Southhaven (Miss.) High cornerback Caleb Offord.
Notre Dame first admitted early enrollees in 2006. This year’s group raises the total to 69 over 15 years, with 10 last year being the most.
Last year, seven of the eight linemen signed (four on offense and three on defense) were able to enroll early.
This year, three of the six linemen will be arriving next month. The three exceptions are Baker; Mars (Pa.) High offensive tackle Michael Carmody, younger brother of Notre Dame basketball guard Robby Carmody; and Denver Mulen defensive tackle Aidan Keanaaina — whose six A’s in the name might be an unofficial record for a Fighting Irish football player.
15 Different states, nations or districts represented among the 17 players who inked with Notre Dame. Kentucky and New Jersey are the only two states with as many as two. Kentucky features Mayer and Danville (Ky.) Boyle County cornerback Landen Bartleson, while New Jersey contributes Bauman and Middletown (N.J.) Mater Dei cornerback Clarence Lewis.
17 Players expected to be signed, which would be tied for the fewest in head coach Brian Kelly’s 11 seasons at Notre Dame. There was also 17 signed in 2012, a class highlighted by first-round pick offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley and defensive tackle Sheldon Day. Those would be the only in Kelly’s 11 recruiting cycles with less than 20.
An 18th could be added with the aforementioned Henderson.
2013 Marked the last year that a Notre Dame quarterback recruit enrolled early: Malik Zaire. That streak ends this year with Pyne.
Previously, Notre Dame had a streak of four straight years from 2010-13 where a quarterback enrolled in January: Tommy Rees (2010), Everett Golson (2011), Gunner Kiel (2012) and Zaire.
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