Notre Dame vs. Michigan: Whose 2014 Recruiting Class Is Better Right Now?

In a rivalry of schools in the Midwest that can recruit nationally, Michigan and Notre Dame will play for the 41st time this weekend. Not only do the Wolverines and Irish tussle on the field, they routinely go after the same recruits.

Although the rivalry will go on hiatus after the 2014 game, the pair of schools will continue to be recruiting rivals. Each program has assembled a great recruiting class full of solid talent, plus several elite uncommitted targets remain.

With this weekend's game being such a big matchup, it is a great time to examine who has the superior recruiting class.

Player evaluations are based on review of tape at Scout.com, Rivals, 247Sports and ESPNU.

2014 Notre Dame Recruiting Class Capsule

The Irish are on a great recruiting pace, as they have secured commitments from 16 prospects. States such as Florida, New Jersey, Tennessee, New York, Indiana, Ohio, Maryland, Georgia, New York, Virginia, California, Missouri and Texas are represented.

Head coach Brian Kelly is building the class with players who can help control the line of scrimmage. Notre Dame could see potentially 12 players from this class line up close to the football. Each defensive line recruit stands 6'4", or taller.

With both commitments being at least 6'2", size at the receiver position also seems to be a priority. The class is rounded out with commitments from a quarterback and a punter. 

2014 Michigan Recruiting Class Capsule

Like its rivals, Big Blue also has a 16-man recruiting class. It is a good collection of talent, plus head coach Brady Hoke has built a quarter of his class with in-state prospects.

Hoke has also ventured into Utah, New Jersey, Florida, Maryland, Virginia, Illinois, Ohio and Pennsylvania. The class is broken down into nine defensive commitments and seven on offense. Each level on defense has three commitments.

Offensively, with four pledges, Hoke has added more pass-catching depth. Michigan does not have a running back in this class, but it does boast a quarterback pledge. 

Top 2014 Notre Dame Commitments

Perhaps the most intriguing prospect in Notre Dame's class, 4-star quarterback DeShone Kizer could start in South Bend in a few seasons. The 6'5", 207-pounder from Ohio can stand tall in the pocket and use his solid arm strength to beat defenses.

Andrew Trumbetti is a 6'5", 250-pound New Jersey native with a great motor. The 4-star defensive end is the top defensive player in the class. Justin Brent is a 6'3", 4-star receiver with a large catch radius, and 4-star receiver Corey Holmes will bring his good speed from the Sunshine State.

Jay Hayes, who is 6'5" and 260 pounds, is a 4-star defensive tackle who could be shaped into a solid defensive end in Notre Dame's 3-4 defense. Alex Bars, Sam Mustipher and Jimmy Byrne are 4-star offensive linemen who are part of a good class of blockers. 

Top 2014 Michigan Commitments

With his potential to be a beast in Ann Arbor, 4-star defensive tackle Bryan Mone should become a star. He is 6'4", 338-pounds and can be explosive, powerful and violent in the trenches.

The best receiver prospect the Wolverines have landed under head coach Brady Hoke is 4-star prospect Drake Harris. As a junior, he used his 6'4" frame to catch 91 passes for 2,015 yards and 25 touchdowns.

Michigan could line Harris on one side in the red zone and flank him with 6'6", 4-star tight end Ian Bunting on the other side. Mason Cole is a 4-star offensive lineman from Florida with quick feet and good agility.

Other notable commitments include 4-star prospects such as linebacker Michael Ferns, offensive tackle Juwann Bushell-Beatty and defensive end Lawrence Marshall, plus 3-star quarterback Wilton Speight.

Notre Dame's 2014 Class Headliner

The top player for the Irish is 4-star offensive lineman Quenton Nelson, a New Jersey blocker who can play guard or tackle.

Nelson, who is 6'5" and 295 pounds, has good quickness at the snap and does not play small at the point of attack. He is a physical offensive lineman who works best in tight spaces.

Nelson has the potential to be a good short-setting offensive guard on passing plays, as he can pop out of stance and quickly engage with a defensive lineman.

He displays good leg-drive when clearing holes for running backs. Nelson has the ability to get to the second level and hit moving targets. He likely will be better served to move to guard in South Bend.

Michigan's 2014 Class Headliner

The Wolverines have no debate when it comes to naming their class headliner, as 5-star athlete Jabrill Peppers is the leader of this class.

Peppers, a 6'1", 205-pound New Jersey prospect, is one of the best pure athletes seen in recent memory. He has a chiseled frame, excellent speed, great agility, good strength and tremendous football instincts. 

He will initially play cornerback in Ann Arbor, but Peppers can also play running back, safety, receiver, linebacker and return on special teams.

He should make an immediate impact for Michigan, earn a starting job by at least the middle of his freshman season and should become a team captain before the start of his junior season.

And the Winner Is...

Both programs have solid recruiting classes that are top-10 caliber groups. This is essentially splitting hairs due to each school having both good quality and quantity at this point.

However, in a debate such as this, the best thing to do is to go with the team that has the best player and that is Peppers. He is a difference-maker not only on the field, but also in this recruiting class battle.

The winner is Michigan.

2014 Bleacher Report College Football Recruiting Heat Map

Check out the 2014 Bleacher Report College Football Recruiting Heat Map to see the top players in Notre Dame and Michigan's recruiting classes!

The mobile-ready tool allows recruiting fans to locate the top prospects across the country all on one map!

Edwin Weathersby is the College Football Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. He has worked in scouting/player personnel departments for three professional football teams, including the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns.