Notre Dame building monster secondary in 2018 recruiting class
With Noah Boykin and DJ Brown joining a loaded defensive back class with Houston Griffith and Derrik Allen, Notre Dame is building a potentially special secondary.
Not surprisingly, Notre Dame always tends to attract top talent during the recruiting process. The 2018 recruiting class has the clout to continue that trend and perhaps make an early impact on the program.
As of yesterday, the Fighting Irish finished National Signing Day with the ninth-ranked recruiting class in the nation. In particular, they got a boost from high-profile signings of four-star offensive lineman Jarrett Patterson and four-star defensive back Noah Boykin.
Notre Dame puts an impressive stamp on its recruiting class of 2018, an excellent job by @CoachBrianKelly, @BrianPolian and the entire staff:
— Mike Monaco (@MikeMonaco_) February 7, 2018
• 27 signees
• 9th-best class in the nation, per @247Sports https://t.co/W0l7M7nC7P
Boykin’s signing especially must feel good for Notre Dame, who snatched him away from Florida and Virginia.
In the process, Brian Kelly and the Irish took another step toward building a monstrous defensive back room when the 2018 class comes of age.
Joining Boykin yesterday was four-star cornerback DJ Brown, who also was hotly pursued by Virginia. After some concern about whether or not the Irish would have enough room for both players, they managed to swing both, adding two top corners to the team.
Then, throw in the addition of Houston Griffith and Derrik Allen, who likely will move to safety. We’ve already talked about how great that tandem could be.
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It’s early, of course, but a starting lineup of Brown and Boykin at corner with Griffith and Allen on the back end has to get fans excited for the future. And if Griffith stays at corner, he’ll undoubtedly elevate the talent of that group as well.
And they’ll likely need to develop quickly, too.
Even now, Notre Dame can use playmakers at safety immediately if they can find them in this incoming class. At cornerback, Julian Love, if he continues playing like he did last season, will probably leave for the NFL. And they still don’t really know who can play opposite him, having tried out a few different guys last season.
If Kelly still struggles to find an answer among his veteran options next season, one wonders when/if we could see a couple of those kids on the field.
Next: Notre Dame hands out offers to 2019 class
At the least, Notre Dame addressed the big needs they had at those secondary positions from a numbers standpoint. And if they turn out to be as good as most hope, they could have a few young guys seeing time quickly.
Once they all get on the field together, watch out.