How Notre Dame's 2013 Recruiting Class Compares to Alabama

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Alabama and Notre Dame finished the season in the BCS National Championship Game in Miami, and it was glaringly obvious that there was a talent gap between the Tide and Fighting Irish. Brian Kelly closed some of that gap with the 2013 recruiting class.

This Alabama signing class has a lot of major stars, but so does Notre Dame. This is a look at how these classes compare to one another after national signing day.

The Crimson Tide reloaded, landing the consensus No. 1 recruiting class according to the 247Sports Composite Team Rankings. With similar needs and styles of play, these teams are putting together two title contending teams again in 2013. 

Offensive Line

Hunter Bivin, Notre Dame | Photo via 247Sports

Notre Dame and Alabama both pulled in a number of top offensive line prospects, but the depth of the talent that lined the Crimson Tide class is a cut above. There are more immediate contributors joining Alabama this spring and summer. 

The Irish landed class headliners in early enrollee Steven Elmer (No. 10 OT) and signing day addition Hunter Bivin (No. 9 OT). Overall the Irish pulled in five offensive linemen, four of which were tackles. 

The Crimson Tide also pulled in a couple of major stars in A’Shawn Robinson (No. 2 OT) and early enrollee Leon Brown (No. 1 JUCO OT). The Tide signed four offensive linemen, with three being tackles in this class. 

Both squads were rich with talent from top to bottom, but the Tide pulled in more game-day ready bodies in this class. 

Edge: Alabama Crimson Tide

Quarterback

Cooper Bateman, Alabama | Photo via 247Sports

This is a tricky position group. Both teams got players that fit their style of play, but Alabama pulled in an overall better recruit and two players at the position, giving them the edge over Notre Dame. 

The Crimson Tide landed Cooper Bateman (No. 4 PRO QB) and Parker McLeod (No. 39 PRO QB). Both players were early enrollees for the Tide. 

Notre Dame was able to pull in Malik Zaire (No. 4 dual-threat QB). 

Zaire could challenge for time early, but the roster is deep with quarterback talent in South Bend. The same goes for Alabama—Bateman and McLeod will redshirt. 

Overall both classes met needs, but the depth of Bama’s pull slides past the Irish in this category. 

Edge: Alabama Crimson Tide

Running Back

Derrick Henry, Alabama
USA TODAY Sports

Alabama pulled the most impressive running back class since the Bear Bryant days when the Tide finished national signing day. This team pulled in four of the nation’s best backs. 

Leading the class is early enrollee Derrick Henry (No. 1 ATH) and signing day addition Alvin Kamara (No. 1 APB). Alabama already had a solid group of players on roster, so the addition of this talent will easily hand the Crimson Tide the best backfield in the country heading into 2013.

Notre Dame had a solid day as well landing Tarean Folston (No. 10 RB) and Greg Bryant (No. 6 RB), but two against four is no contest. 

This Alabama squad was the No. 1 class for a reason—a big boost came from this position group. 

Edge: Alabama Crimson Tide 

Receiver

Corey Robinson, Notre Dame | Photo via 247Sports

The Notre Dame program needed an influx of talent at the receiver position, and it landed four prospects, two of which were early enrollees. Headlining the class for Notre Dame are Corey Robinson (No. 54 WR) and Torii Hunter (No. 28 WR). 

Both come from elite athletic backgrounds—Robinson is the son of NBA star David Robinson and Hunter is the son of MLB player Torii Hunter—so they understand the work ethic needed to succeed at the top level of football. 

Alabama fired a nice shot at the Irish with their signees Robert Foster (No. 2 WR) and Raheem Falkins (No. 50 WR), but the overall depth of the Notre Dame group passes over this Tide class. 

Edge: Notre Dame Fighting Irish 

Tight End

O.J. Howard, Alabama | Photo via 247Sports

This is the one instance in a position group that numbers don’t matter. The Crimson Tide signed one tight end in this class, and the Irish signed two. Both teams needed instant impact players at the position, and they both filled that need in this class. 

That being said, O.J. Howard (No. 1 TE) is the best tight end in the country for 2013, and he is the No. 19 overall player in the country according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings. 

While having two position players is a plus, they don’t combine to match the talent and athleticism of Howard. 

That being said, Notre Dame landed two very solid players in early enrollee Mike Heuerman (No. 9 TE) and signing day addition Durham Smythe (No. 8 TE). They will be able to contribute this fall, but neither match the talent of Howard. 

Edge: Alabama Crimson Tide 

Defensive Line

Dee Liner, Alabama
Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

This was a tight breakdown between these two schools with both signing three defensive linemen in this class. 

The Tide finished well on signing day landing Dee Liner (No. 4 DT), and they also closed with Tim Williams (No. 2 WDE) and Darius Paige (No. 14 DT).

All three could be contributors this fall. 

The Irish landed the biggest defensive tackle prospect in the country when Eddie Vanderdoes (No. 1 DT) made it known late on signing day that he was a part of the 2013 Irish class. Notre Dame also signed Isaac Rochell (No. 9 SDE) and Jacob Matuska (No. 22 SDE). 

While both classes are stacked with top talent along the line, the addition of Vanderdoes late on Wednesday gave the Irish the edge. 

Edge: Notre Dame Fighting Irish 

Linebacker

Jaylon Smith, Notre Dame
USA TODAY Sports

Alabama and Notre Dame both moved to fill needs at linebacker, and left signing day with three players at the position. 

The Tide finished extremely strong with the addition of in-state linebacker Reuben Foster (No. 1 ILB) on signing day. They also pulled in Jonathan Allen (No. 3 OLB). Both of these players are able to step in and help the Tide challenge for the SEC in 2013. 

The Irish landed a solid class as well with headliner Jaylon Smith (No. 1 OLB) looking to step in to playing time this fall. 

Overall there were a number of needs met with this position group for both teams, but Alabama landed two of the best at the position in this recruiting cycle in Foster and Allen. 

Edge: Alabama Crimson Tide

Cornerback

Jonathan Cook, Alabama | Photo via 247Sports

The Irish and Tide both signed only two cornerbacks in this class, but they have immediate playmakers in the four that landed with these teams. 

Notre Dame pulled in Cole Luke (No. 14 CB) and Devin Butler (No. 25 CB). Both are rangy prospects that love to hit. They could step in immediately to fill a few gaps in the secondary. 

Alabama walked away with Jonathan Cook (No. 37 CB) and Maurice Smith (No. 9 CB) at the position. This class is strong, but the overall talent of the Notre Dame group gives it the edge. 

Edge: Notre Dame Fighting Irish 

Safety

Max Redfield, Notre Dame
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Fighting Irish were looking for an immediate playmaker at safety when they landed Max Redfield (No. 3 S). Redfield had committed to Southern Cal, but eventually chose to attend school in South Bend. 

Redfield is a rising star, and should step in this fall and earn playing time. 

Alabama signed a solid safety in its own right when it landed Anthony Everett (No. 24 S), but he isn’t near the level of Redfield. 

The Irish scorched past Alabama in this category. 

Edge: Notre Dame Fighting Irish

 

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