Notre Dame Football: The Failed 2011 Recruiting Class
Notre Dame's football team is going through some painful growing pains this November. After a 6-0 start had Irish fans thinking about the College Football Playoff, Brian Kelly's young football team has lost three of four, setting up a two-game finish that will likely determine whether or not this season is deemed a success or a failure.
This tipping point comes after turnovers have marred the offense's efficiency and injuries have depleted an already young defense. But after five years in South Bend, examining how this team got here requires a look back. And the main culprit is a recruiting class that was supposed to lead Notre Dame to new heights.
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The 2011 recruiting class was supposed to be the backbone of the 2014 roster. Instead, it's a reminder of the fickle nature of college football—as injuries, attrition, bad luck and poor performances have turned a heralded group into a hole in the roster.
As we approach Senior Day at Notre Dame Stadium, the 23-man class that Kelly signed will only have 13 in uniform on Saturday afternoon. (Fifth-year players Austin Collinsworth, Christian Lombard and Justin Utupo will also be honored.) While a large part of the group still has a year of eligibility available, Kelly was asked about the struggles this class has had, leaving less of an impact than anyone could've imagined four Februarys ago.
"Doing it for as long as I have, you never count on one particular class to be the backbone as much as you count on them to be leaders," Kelly said. "You count on them to help. But I don't think it's ever one class.
"I think classes can kind of set the tone for success by one player being a playmaker or two players, but I don't know that it ever stretches across the entire class. I think each one of them has individual qualities."
Let's take a closer look at this group.
Success Stories
Kyle Brindza, P/K
Take away his terrible Saturday against Northwestern, and Brindza's been all you could ask for. A four-year contributor, he's been Notre Dame's specialist in all facets of the kicking game for two seasons and is the school's all-time leader in field goals.
Matthias Farley, DB
The senior is tied for the team lead in interceptions and sacks, and he's one tackle for loss behind Sheldon Day for the team lead there as well. After struggling as an every-down safety, Farley's had an excellent rebound season in 2014. He'll return for a fifth year in 2015.
Everett Golson, QB
We can only wonder how Golson's career would've played out had he been able to play in 2013, not just train with George Whitfield. But Golson's one of college football's most dynamic quarterbacks, even as turnovers have marred his return to the football field. Golson has a year of eligibility remaining in 2015.
Ben Koyack, TE
Notre Dame's snap leader in 2014, Koyack was a semifinalist for the Mackey Award and has been a key part of the Irish offense. A backup behind Tyler Eifert and Troy Niklas, Koyack's first season starting has yielded 27 catches for 289 yards, including the game-winning touchdown against Stanford.
Nick Martin, OL
After starting at center for most of last season, Martin has shifted to guard and is once again a mainstay up front for the Irish. Named captain of the 2014 team, Martin will be back for a fifth year, his third as a starter.
Cam McDaniel, RB
Last Saturday won't go on his highlight reel, but the senior captain led the Irish in rushing in 2013 and has played a key role on this year's team as well. In addition to serving as a key reserve during the 2012 season, McDaniel also cross-trained between running back and cornerback as the coaching staff looked for answers in the secondary.
Left Early
George Atkinson III, RB
An excellent kickoff returner and an enigmatic, big-play running back, Atkinson never quite reached the potential many saw for him at Notre Dame. He was given multiple chances to win the starting running back job in 2013, but he fell out of favor at the position, ultimately deciding to leave early and enter the NFL draft. He went unselected and is currently on the Oakland Raiders practice squad.
Aaron Lynch, DE
After leading Notre Dame in sacks as a true freshman, Lynch quit the football team during spring practice in 2012, transferring back home to play at South Florida. After sitting out a transfer year, Lynch played one season at USF before sliding in the NFL draft to San Francisco in the fifth round. His three sacks are tied for second on the 49ers.
Troy Niklas, TE
Niklas started his career at Notre Dame on the defensive side of the ball before moving to tight end before his sophomore season. After playing 2012 with All-American Tyler Eifert, Niklas had an impressive junior season with 32 catches 498 yards and five touchdowns. While Brian Kelly thought he should come back for his senior season and play his way into the first round, Niklas went in the second round to the Arizona Cardinals. He's a reserve this season, making just three catches while playing in seven games.
Stephon Tuitt, DE
Tuitt burst onto the scene as a sophomore in 2012, his 12 sacks nearly toppling Justin Tuck's single-season record. But after a disappointing, injury-plagued junior season, Tuitt decided to declare for the NFL draft anyway, falling to the second round, when the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted him. He's struggled in his first NFL season, playing just four snaps last week and totaling just five tackles on the year.
Major Injuries
Brad Carrico, DE
The first pledge of the 2011 class, Carrico projected to be a 3-4 defensive end. He bounced between the defensive and offensive line before a foot injury in 2012 ended his career. He's currently on a medical scholarship at Notre Dame and will graduate with his class.
Ben Councell, OLB
Councell looked like the prototype outside linebacker for Bob Diaco's 3-4 defense. But after a redshirt freshman season, Councell played behind Danny Spond in 2012 and Jaylon Smith in 2013. A major knee injury suffered last season—not to mention a scheme change—have limited his contributions.
Jarrett Grace, MLB
The heir apparent to Manti Te'o, Grace's career is on hold as he slowly recovers from a major leg injury suffered last season against Arizona State. Grace is still on the roster but has needed multiple surgeries to heal the broken fibula suffered late last October. Earlier this week, Kelly said Grace's future was uncertain on the football field.
Eilar Hardy, DB
An early knee injury was a setback for Hardy, burying him on the depth chart for two years. So was his involvement in the recent academic probe, keeping him off the field for the season's first eight games before he was cleared by the NCAA. Hardy had a chance to make his move in 2013, but was suspended twice for violations of team rules.
Matt Hegarty, C
If there's a happy story among this group, it's Hegarty. After suffering a stroke and having surgery to repair a microscopic hole in his heart, Hegarty returned to the team in 2013 and played capably in relief of Nick Martin at the end of last season. He's started at guard and tackle during 2014 and will likely return for a fifth year.
Chase Hounshell, DL
The Ohio native hasn't been able to shake multiple shoulder injuries, with surgery derailing his career almost from the start. Hounshell was among the first defensive linemen from this group to see the field, playing in seven games as a freshman before missing nearly two full seasons after multiple shoulder surgeries. Even if healthy, Hounshell is unlikely to continue his playing career at Notre Dame next season.
Tony Springmann, DL
Expected to be a key contributor at defensive tackle this season, Springmann never fully recovered from a knee injury suffered before the 2013 season and is on a medical scholarship with his career finished. The 6'6", 296-pound lineman played a key reserve role in 2012 and was counted on to be a force on the interior of the defensive line.
Disappointments or Derailed
Josh Atkinson, CB
After playing early as a freshman, Atkinson struggled to stay in the two-deep as the depth chart around him improved. Blessed with world-class speed, Atkinson has made more of a mark as a track sprinter than on the football field. He's yet to play this season and could complete his eligibility elsewhere in 2015.
Jalen Brown, CB
Another cornerback who's been buried on the depth chart. Brown has rarely traveled with the team this season and has yet to see the field. After redshirting as a freshman, Brown will also likely play out his eligibility elsewhere in 2015.
DaVaris Daniels, WR
One of the team's most talented players, Daniels is sitting out this season after an Honor Code violation kept him and four teammates out for the bulk of the season. Daniels was the team's leading receiver, but was on academic suspension during last year's spring semester, only to return for summer school and find trouble again. He has yet to decide if he'll return to Notre Dame. (Kelly has yet to confirm whether that option remains available to him.)
Conor Hanratty, OL
The son of former Irish quarterback Terry Hanratty, Conor was a starter briefly in 2013 as an injury replacement for Christian Lombard and battled for a starting guard job in 2014. One of the lowest-rated recruits in the 2011 class, it's not completely fair to call Hanratty's career a disappointment. But his return in 2015 is still up in the air, especially with all three starters on the interior of the offensive line slated to return.
Anthony Rabasa, DE
Never a great fit for Bob Diaco's 3-4 defense, Rabasa has seen more time this season than any before, playing some key snaps as a pass-rusher for Brian VanGorder. That said, Rabasa hasn't lived up to the recruiting hype he carried into South Bend, one of the top prep players in Miami when he picked the Irish.
Ishaq Williams, DE
Viewed by the 247Sports composite as a 5-star prospect, Williams has yet to make his mark on the Notre Dame program. He was stuck behind NFL draft picks Darius Fleming and Prince Shembo for his first three seasons. Now he's sitting out this year because of his involvement in the academic misconduct. He has told Brian Kelly he'd like to return in 2015, where he'll be a key piece of a defensive line that needs big bodies.
Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand.
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