The Big Board details each position throughout the summer and into National Signing Day. An updated Big Board will be unvaled of current and realistic Irish targets every Monday.)

RB:

-Cierre Wood (California) 6′1 190lbs-4.5 Commit

-Theo Reddick (New Jersey) 5′11 185lbs-4.5 Commit

WR:

-Shaquelle Evans (California) 6′1 190lbs-4.45 > (will officially visit 9/27 vs Purdue, only official visit set up-so far)

TE:

-Jake Golic (Connecticut) 6′4 202lbs-4.7 Commit

-Tyler Eifert (Indiana) 6′6 220lbs-4.62 Commit

OL:

-Xavier Nixon-(OT) (North Carolina) 6′6 275lbs > (strong emphasis on academics, with a link to Corwin Brown, look for an official for the Michigan game)

-Patrick Ward-(OT) (Illinois) 6′6 295lbs-5.3 < (back on the board after recent offer, Irish still should make a late push)

-Zach Martin-(OT) (Indiana) 6′5 270lbs-5.0 Commit

-Alex Bullard-(G) (Tennessee) 6′3 275lbs-5.0 Commit

-Chris Watt-(G) (Illinois) 6′3 280lbs Commit

DL:

-Tyler Stockton-(NG/DT) (New Jersey) 6′1 290lbs-4.98 Commit

-Anthony LaLota-(DE) (New Jersey) 6′6 260lbs-4.64 > (commitment highly probable, decision will come by mid-August, Virginia will be chief competition)

-Chris Bonds-(DE) (South Carolina) 6′4 262lbs-4.7 - (Irish should be one of his official visits, looks to be for the Michigan game)

-Gabe Ikard-(DE) (Oklahoma) 6′4 237lbs < (picked up offer from homestate Sooners as a tight end, Oklahoma, Stanford, Notre Dame with the Irish in third, looks to officially visit for the Michigan game)

OLB:

-Dan Fox (Ohio) 6′4 219lbs-4.6 Commit

ILB:

-Carlo Calabrese (New Jersey) 6′2 224lbs-4.6 Commit

-Jelani Jenkins (Maryland) 6′1 212lbs-4.5 - (visited July 27-was quoted as “great”, could be the surprise prospect from this years class, academics and faith key, Irish are solidly in top 3 with Stanford and Penn St.)

-Manti Te’o (Hawaii) 6′2 230lbs-4.5 - (an official visit looks promising, Charlie Weis handling recruitment)

CB:

-Marlon Pollard (California) 6′1 160lbs-4.6 Commit

-E.J. Banks (Pennsylvania) 6′0 180lbs-4.5 Commit

S:

-Zeke Motta (Florida) 6′2 207lbs-4.6 - (Official visit soon to be scheduled, Irish appear to be leading contender-of those who have offered)

Special Teams:

-Nick Tausch-(K) (Texas) 6′1 180lbs Commit

-Ben Turk-(P) (Florida) 5′11 180lbs Commit

+Weekly Notes:

-(WR) Jamal Patterson was removed due to naming a top six, without Notre Dame

     Wide receiver Richard Jackson has decided to transfer from Notre Dame after three years in the program. The reason for the transfer surrounds the need for a return to a familiar enviroment closer to his family.

     Notre Dame will conditionally release Jackson from his scholarship, he will then present a list of schools that he would like to transfer to and those are expected to include Central Florida and Florida International amongst others.

     Jackson, in his time with the Irish, was not able to crack the two deep and was subsequently falling behind the lastest three incoming freshman heading into fall camp. The third year wideout played through a broken wrist in spring practice, showing excellent toughness, but sketchy hands.

     This is the seventh member of the junior class to transfer. A list that includes; Jackson, quarterbacks Demetrius Jones and Zach Frazer, tight end Konrad Reuland, running back/cornerback Munir Prince and offensive lineman Matt Carufel and Bartley Webb.

     The most unsettled situation on an offense that ranked near or at the bottom in all major offensive categories has one last glaring hole. Going into fall camp, the left tackle position is still one of major concern and it appears it will fall into the hands of either of the most senior members of the offensive line. There is also a wild card that will have his say in the matter by seasons end.

 Fifth year senior Michael Turkovich appears to be the odds on favorite right now, but his spot is tenuous at best. He is a downhill blocker that excells in the running game, and his brightest moments last year exemplified that while at guard. The biggest question is how he will protect Jimmy Clausen’s backside while fighting off edge pass-rushers like that from Michigan and USC. Turkovich, a Pennsylvania native, brings that nastiness as well as all-day toughness that Charlie Weis likes to talk about. Although, it will be a finesse touch in the pass-blocking department that will cement his spot at the position.

     Another fifth year senior is Paul Duncan, who started the most games at the position last year. Duncan had been the favorite early on, but his kryptonite has been off the edge as he is not the most athletic tackle on the team. Overall, the Georgia product has not shown the aggresiveness or nastiness for that matter needed for the position. Yes, he has experience, but quite frankly that will only take one so far if he does not possess the necessary attributes especially for the left tackle position.

     The wild card of the group is sophomore Matt Romine. Romine is by far the best pure pass-blocking tackle on the roster and ideal to play on the left side. Injuries, injuries and more injuries have kept Romine off of the field in his two years with the Irish. That was the case again this past spring as he sustained an injury on the opening day of camp. He is back, but behind the curve in terms of reps and overall experience. There is little doubt, that when healthy, Matt Romine will be the starting left tackle for the Irish, but that may not come until after he has proven the ability to stay healthy to the coaching staff.

     This is clearly the most important position battle for this offense going right now and the outcome and subsequent play will determine how effective this offense will be if the position can keep Jimmy Clausen upright.

     The transformation along the Irish defensive line started with a shift in overall philosophy. Corwin Brown brought in the 3-4 formation and thus the need for size and more versatile lineman were in order. This, after years of failing to land the necessary pass-rushers at the end position as well as the one-gap defensive tackles needed for the 4-3. Even though last years recruiting class are fresh fish, potential is abundant and the number one projected freshman in Ethan Johnson defines that promise.

     Johnson is the ideal combo lineman for the 3-4 as well as the nuances that new defensive assistant John Tenuta has installed with respect to the ability to shift to the 4-3 when needed. At 6′4 and 275lbs, the Oregon product possesses the frame to handle the five-technique on the inside along with the quickness to impact in the 4-3 front.

     There is a better than 50/50 chance that the freshman will not only crack the two-deep, but play significant downs for the Irish this season in a starting capacity. Johnson has flashed the size, strength and mobility which has undoubtedly impressed the coaches all the while pressuring upper classmen like Mo Richardson and Justin Brown for playing time. Ethan Johnson will line-up at end in 3-4 and tackle in the 4-3 and the former is where he should gain most of his meaningfull reps this season.

     The Big Board details each position throughout the summer and into National Signing Day. An updated Big Board will be unvaled of current and realistic Irish targets every Monday.)

RB:

-Cierre Wood (California) 6′1 190lbs-4.5 Commit

-Theo Reddick (New Jersey) 5′11 185lbs-4.5 Commit

WR:

-Shaquelle Evans (California) 6′1 190lbs-4.45 > (will officially visit 9/27 vs Purdue, only official visit set up-so far)

-Jamal Patterson (Georgia) 6′2 194lbs-4.5 - (An official visit in the fall, looks to be all but scheduled)

TE:

-Jake Golic (Connecticut) 6′4 202lbs-4.7 Commit

-Tyler Eifert (Indiana) 6′6 220lbs-4.62 Commit

OL:

-Xavier Nixon-(OT) (North Carolina) 6′6 275lbs > (strong emphasis on academics, with a link to Corwin Brown, look for an official for the Michigan game)

-Patrick Ward-(OT) (Illinois) 6′6 295lbs-5.3 < (back on the board after recent offer, Irish still should make a late push)

-Zach Martin-(OT) (Indiana) 6′5 270lbs-5.0 Commit

-Alex Bullard-(G) (Tennessee) 6′3 275lbs-5.0 Commit

-Chris Watt-(G) (Illinois) 6′3 280lbs Commit

DL:

-Tyler Stockton-(NG/DT) (New Jersey) 6′1 290lbs-4.98 Commit

-Anthony LaLota-(DE) (New Jersey) 6′6 260lbs-4.64 > (commitment highly probable, decision will come by mid-August, Virginia will be chief competition)

-Chris Bonds-(DE) (South Carolina) 6′4 262lbs-4.7 - (Irish should be one of his official visits, looks to be for the Michigan game)

-Gabe Ikard-(DE) (Oklahoma) 6′4 237lbs < (picked up offer from homestate Sooners as a tight end, Oklahoma, Stanford, Notre Dame with the Irish in third, looks to officially visit for the Michigan game)

OLB:

-Dan Fox (Ohio) 6′4 219lbs-4.6 Commit

ILB:

-Carlo Calabrese (New Jersey) 6′2 224lbs-4.6 Commit

-Jelani Jenkins (Maryland) 6′1 212lbs-4.5 - (visited July 27-was quoted as “great”, could be the surprise prospect from this years class, academics and faith key, Irish are solidly in top 3 with Stanford and Penn St.)

-Manti Te’o (Hawaii) 6′2 230lbs-4.5 - (an official visit looks promising, Charlie Weis handling recruitment)

CB:

-Marlon Pollard (California) 6′1 160lbs-4.6 Commit

-E.J. Banks (Pennsylvania) 6′0 180lbs-4.5 Commit

S:

-Zeke Motta (Florida) 6′2 207lbs-4.6 - (Official visit soon to be scheduled, Irish appear to be leading contender-of those who have offered)

Special Teams:

-Nick Tausch-(K) (Texas) 6′1 180lbs Commit

-Ben Turk-(P) (Florida) 5′11 180lbs Commit

+Weekly Notes:

-(OLB/S) Frankie Telfort was removed due to lack of a visit, as well as overall interest

Irish Defense 

DE 53 Morrice Richardson 6- 2 255 Jr. 94 JUSTIN BROWN 6- 3 277 Sr. 9 Ethan Johnson 6- 4 275 Fr. 89 Kapron Lewis-Moore 6- 4 257 Fr.

NT 95 Ian Williams 6- 2 310 So. 93 Paddy Mullen 6- 3 300 Jr. 99 Brandon Newman 6- 0 310 Fr.

DE 96 PAT KUNTZ 6- 3 283 Sr. 91 Emeka Nwankwo 6- 4 295 So. 98 Sean Cwynar 6- 4 282 Fr. 79 Hafis Williams 6- 1 302 Fr.

SAM 22 Harrison Smith 6- 2 212 So. 41 Scott Smith 6- 4 235 Sr. 46 Steve Filer 6- 3 236 Fr. 

MIKE 58 Brian Smith 6- 3 245 So. 49 Toryan Smith 6- 1 244 Jr. 42 Kevin Washington 6- 1 250 Sr.or 54 Anthony McDonald 6- 1 225 Fr.

JACK 40 MAURICE CRUM JR. 6- 0 235 Sr. 48 Steve Quinn 6- 2 225 Sr. 36 David Posluszny 6- 0 220 Fr.

WILL 56 K E R RY NEAL 6- 2 246 So. 90 JOHN RYAN 6- 5 264 Jr. 97 Kallen Wade 6- 5 255 Jr. 45 Darius Fleming 6- 1 236 Fr.

LCB 8 Raeshon McNeil 6- 0 190 Jr. 4 Gary Gray 5- 11 188 So. 37 Mike Anello 5- 10 170 Sr.or 26 Jamoris Slaughter 6- 0 182 Fr.

FS 27 DAVID BRUTON 6- 2 212 Sr. 22 Harrison Smith 6- 2 212 So. 31 Sergio Brown 6- 2 205 Jr. 15 Dan McCarthy 6- 2 200 Fr.

SS 28 Kyle McCarthy 6- 1 203 Sr. 6 Ray Herring 5- 10 198 Sr. 29 Jashaad Gaines 6- 0 202 Jr. 24 Leonard Gordon 5- 11 187 Jr.

RCB 20 TERRAIL LAMBERT 5- 11 195 Sr. 24 Leonard Gordon 5- 11 187 Jr. 12 Robert Blanton 6- 1 180 Fr.

Irish Offense

X 18 Duval Kamara 6- 5 219 So. 19 GEORGE WEST 5- 10 196 Jr. 80 Richard Jackson 6- 3 205 Jr. 1 Deion Walker 6- 2 188 Fr. or 81 John Goodman 6- 3 197 Fr.

LT 72 PAUL DUNCAN 6- 7 308 Sr. or 77 MIKE TURKOVICH 6- 6 305 Sr. 70 Matt Romine 6- 5 292 So. 73 Lane Clelland 6- 5 281 Fr.

LG 55 ERIC OLSEN 6- 4 303 Jr. 76 Andrew Nuss 6- 5 304 So. 

C 51 Dan Wenger 6- 4 302 Jr. 67 Thomas Bemenderfer 6- 5 300 Sr. 52 Braxston Cave 6- 3 315 Fr. or 57 Mike Golic Jr. 6- 3 280 Fr.

RG 59 Chris Stewart 6- 5 337 Jr. 78 Trevor Robinson 6- 5 306 Fr. 

RT 74 SAM YOUNG 6- 8 330 Jr. 75 Taylor Dever 6- 5 301 So. 

TE 83 Mike Ragone 6- 5 251 So. 84 Will Yeatman 6- 6 265 Jr. 9 Kyle Rudolph 6- 6 252 Fr. 87 Joseph Fauria 6- 7 245 Fr. 32 Luke Schmidt 6- 4 246 Jr.

Z 11 DAVID GRIMES 5- 10 177 Sr. 82 Robby Parris 6- 3 210 Jr. 23 Golden Ta t e 5- 11 195 So. 3 Michael Floyd 6- 3 215 Fr.

QB 7 JIMMY CLAUSEN 6- 3 217 So. 13 Evan Sharpley 6- 2 215 Sr. 10 Dayne Crist 6- 4 233 Fr. 

FB 44 ASAPH SCHWAPP 6- 0 257 Sr. 32 Luke Schmidt 6- 4 246 Jr. 30 Steve Paskorz 6- 2 235 So. 

HB 34 JAMES ALDRIDGE 6- 0 225 Jr. or 5 A rmando Allen 5- 10 195 So. or 33 Robert Hughes 5- 11 237 So. 21 Barry Gallup Jr. 5- 11 200 Jr. 25 Jonas Gray 5- 10 220 Fr. 

PK 14 BRANDON WALKER 6- 3 202 So. 39 Ryan Burkhart 5- 11 190 Jr. 

P 43 Eric Maust 6- 2 177 Jr. 39 Ryan Burkhart 5- 11 190 Jr. 

SNP 57 Mike Golic Jr. 6- 3 280 Fr. or 52 Braxston Cave 6- 3 315 Fr. or 45 Darius Fleming 6- 1 236 Fr. or 73 Lane Clelland 6- 5 281 Fr. or 39 Kevin Brooks 6- 2 240 Sr. or 86 Paul Kuppich 6- 3 232 Sr.

HLD 13 Evan Sharpley 6- 2 215 Sr. 43 Eric Maust 6- 2 177 Jr. 28 Kyle McCarthy 6- 1 203 Sr. 

PR 5 Armando Allen 5- 10 195 So. 11 David Grimes 5- 10 177 Sr. 23 Golden Ta t e 5- 11 195 So. 19 George West 5- 10 196 Jr.

KR 5 Armando Allen 5- 10 195 So. 23 Golden Ta t e 5- 11 195 So. 19 George West 5- 10 196 Jr. 21 Barry Gallup Jr. 5- 11 200 Jr. 4 Gary Gray 5- 11 188 So.

KO 39 Ryan Burkhart 5- 11 190 Jr. 14 Brandon Walker 6- 3 202 So.

     Notre Dame, on Friday, added another key prospect at what is always a need position in E.J. Banks. The Irish added not only a cornerback, but a future punt returner to boot. The overall package of Notre Dame of football and academics sealed the deal for the Irish.

     “I committed to Notre Dame at 10 a.m. today,” McKees Rocks (Pa.) Montour athlete E.J. Banks said. “I talked to Coach Weis. He seemed excited. My coach talked to him first and then he put Coach Weis on speakerphone.

     The Pennsylvania product had named the Irish as well as Ohio St. in his final two just days prior to his to the Irish commitment. Aside the Buckeyes, he had offers from Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Florida St.,Virginia Tech and Tennessee amongst others. Banks projects to cornerback, after playing quarterback in a spread style offense in high school.

     “I am enrolling early,” he said. “The coaches haven’t said much about playing time. They have said they only have so many guys at defensive back and they are going to throw me in with everybody else.

     Banks plans to enroll early joining previous Irish commit Tyler Stockton. The early jump will undoubtedly help this athlete acclimate to his future position. He is an extremely fluid athlete that will remind many of West Virginia quarterback Pat White in the open field, although Banks will be a cornerback at the next level.

(quotes irishillustrated.com)

     There has not been the amount of buzz that is surrounding the latest Cretin-Durham Hall product to join the Irish at the wide receiver position in quite some time. After watching Michael Floyd in summer workouts, he has some thinking of the last Heisman winner for Notre Dame in Tim Brown with respect to his combination of speed and ability. That is undoubtedly high praise for a player that has yet to catch a collegiate pass.

     The pipeline between the aforementioned high school from Minnesota helped the Irish lure Floyd away from other suitors like Ohio St. and the homestate university in the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

     Floyd is considered the most polished wide receiver to come out of high school this year. He flashed his big play ability in the U.S. Army All-American game while grabbing 4 catches for 118 yards, which included a touchdown pass from fellow Irish recruit Dayne Crist. Additionally, Floyd possesses 4.5 speed with a 6′3 and close to a 220lb frame.

     There is little doubt that Michael Floyd will make an impact in his freshman year with the Irish, yet alone in his time in South Bend. He possesses all of the necessary prerequistists to start week one or sometime no later than any of the remaining dates in September. Duval Kamara set the freshman record for catches and touchdowns at the position last season, but those records may only last one year as Floyd has already shown that it may not matter who is front of him on the depth chart because he is simply just that talented.

     Robert Blanton is walking into the deepest position on the defensive side of the ball, but not as deep as it was one month ago when it was announced that cornerback Darrin Walls would be missing the upcoming season because of academic issues. The opportunity is there, even though it will be a tough road for Blanton ahead as there are still three corners with a couple of wildcards in the mix.

     The Irish will indoubtedly miss a player the caliber of Walls, but the depth is abundant. Fifth year returning starter Terrail Lambert, junior Raeshon McNeil along with a corner who may have the best coverage ability on the team in Gary Gray will all be in the mix come the start of fall camp.

     Now, where does Robert Blanton fit into that equation? He has shown the type of attitude and overall confidence that is necessary to play the position.

     Although the North Carolina product is undersized right now, he has been able to make up for his lack of size or bulk with a physicality that will endear him to defensive backs coach Corwin Brown and assistant John Tenuta. This prospect is the epitome of what measures at the combine does not necessarily reflect the level of football player one can be and Robert Blanton has an excellent shot to lock down the dime cornerback position for week one against San Diego State.

     The Big Board details each position throughout the summer and into National Signing Day. An updated Big Board will be unvaled of current and realistic Irish targets every Monday.)

RB:

-Cierre Wood (California) 6′1 190lbs-4.5 Commit

-Theo Reddick (New Jersey) 5′11 185lbs-4.5 Commit

WR:

-Shaquelle Evans (California) 6′1 190lbs-4.45 > (will officially visit 9/27 vs Purdue, only official visit set up-so far)

-Jamal Patterson (Georgia) 6′2 194lbs-4.5 - (An official visit in the fall, looks to be all but scheduled)

TE:

-Jake Golic (Connecticut) 6′4 202lbs-4.7 Commit

-Tyler Eifert (Indiana) 6′6 220lbs-4.62 Commit

OL:

-Xavier Nixon-(OT) (North Carolina) 6′6 275lbs > (strong emphasis on academics, with a link to Corwin Brown, look for an official for the Michigan game)

-Patrick Ward-(OT) (Illinois) 6′6 295lbs-5.3 < (back on the board after recent offer, Irish still should make a late push)

-Zach Martin-(OT) (Indiana) 6′5 270lbs-5.0 Commit

-Alex Bullard-(G) (Tennessee) 6′3 275lbs-5.0 Commit

-Chris Watt-(G) (Illinois) 6′3 280lbs Commit

DL:

-Tyler Stockton-(NG/DT) (New Jersey) 6′1 290lbs-4.98 Commit

-Anthony LaLota-(DE) (New Jersey) 6′6 260lbs-4.64 > (commitment highly probable, decision will come by mid-August, Virginia will be chief competition)

-Chris Bonds-(DE) (South Carolina) 6′4 262lbs-4.7 - (Irish should be one of his official visits, looks to be for the Michigan game)

-Gabe Ikard-(DE) (Oklahoma) 6′4 237lbs < (picked up offer from homestate Sooners as a tight end, Oklahoma, Stanford, Notre Dame with the Irish in third, looks to officially visit for the Michigan game)

OLB:

-Dan Fox (Ohio) 6′4 219lbs-4.6 Commit

-Frankie Telfort (Florida) 5′11 194lbs-4.5 - (uphill battle for Florida standout, three down linebacker, being looked at as a safety)

ILB:

-Carlo Calabrese (New Jersey) 6′2 224lbs-4.6 Commit

-Jelani Jenkins (Maryland) 6′1 212lbs-4.5 - (visited July 27-was quoted as “great”, could be the surprise prospect from this years class, academics and faith key, Irish are solidly in top 3 with Stanford and Penn St.)

-Manti Te’o (Hawaii) 6′2 230lbs-4.5 - (an official visit looks promising, Charlie Weis handling recruitment)

CB:

-Marlon Pollard (California) 6′1 160lbs-4.6 Commit

-E.J. Banks (Pennsylvania) 6′0 180lbs-4.5 Commit

S:

-Zeke Motta (Florida) 6′2 207lbs-4.6 - (Official visit soon to be scheduled, Irish appear to be leading contender-of those who have offered)

Special Teams:

-Nick Tausch-(K) (Texas) 6′1 180lbs Commit

-Ben Turk-(P) (Florida) 5′11 180lbs Commit

+Weekly Notes:

-(DE) Craig Roh was eliminated after naming a top five, that did not include Notre Dame

-(S) Terrance Bullitt was eliminated after committing to Texas Tech

-(WR) Marlon Brown was eliminated after naming a final six, which did not include Notre Dame

-(CB) E.J. Banks will decided between Notre Dame and Ohio St., with an August decision

-(CB) E.J. Banks committed today, to Notre Dame