College Football Recruiting 2012: Notre Dame vs Michigan, Whose Class Is Better?

The Irish and Wolverines have been rivals on the field for basically a century and it doesn't look like they're going to start liking each other anytime soon.

With both programs being so good over the years, it's natural they run into each other on the trail.

This year is not very different as Michigan and Notre Dame are both recruiting hard and could both have top 10 classes, which leads to one question.

Which school has the better recruiting class?

Current 2012 Notre Dame Recruiting Capsule

The Irish are building a very talented class and have the USC game this month as their key recruiting extravaganza.

They hold 16 pledges with six being inside the ESPNU 150. August saw them nab two top 100 level players in Sheldon Day and DT/OT Jarron Joes

Four-star recruit RB William Mahone just committed to the Notre Dame late last week.

You have to love the look of a tandem of Tee Shepard and Ronald Darby in South Bend in the back end for the Irish. Nick Barratti could get a look at QB and Deontay Greenberry is a heck of a talent at WR. 

Current 2012 Michigan Recruiting Capsule

Michigan may not have as much as the star power in their class as Notre Dame does, but the Wolverines probably have better depth.

Brady Hoke has 23 commitments, three in the ESPNU top 150 and his LB class alone is likely the best in the country. Thirteen out of Hoke's 23 pledges are rated 4-stars or higher and OT Kyle Kalis is a 5-star prospect.

Toss in talent like CB Terry Richardson, LB James Ross, OT Erik Magnuson, TE Devin Funchess, LB Royce Jenkins-Stone and DT Ondre Pipkins among others and you see why this class is so highly regarded.

Mahone to Notre Dame

Pitt, Michigan State and Penn State all received bad news late last week, as they learned 4-star RB prospect William mahone was committing to Notre Dame.

At six-feet and 205-pounds, Mahone is a good back with solid run strength and speed. He won't blaze a ripping 40 time, but he plays faster than people think. Mahone shows a solid burst to and through holes while running with toughness.

He should be a three-down back in South Bend.

Michigan Headliner

The headliner and highest-ranked player in the Wolverine class is OT Kyle Kalis, whom Big Blue proudly took from Ohio State, thanks in large part to Jim Tressel leaving.

Kalis is 6-foot-5 and a 305-pounder that can play both LT and RT on the front flanks. He's a solid pass protector, flashes good agility to mirror rushers and can produce effectively as a run blocker.

Look for Kalis to contribute early for Michigan.

Notre Dame Headliner

The top player in Notre Dame's class, in my opinion is 5-star ATH Ronald Darby. Darby is 5-foot-11, 175-pounds who is very versatile. He can play CB, WR or RB.

Darby is one of the most athletic players in the country and is a speedster. He will likely play CB at Notre Dame, but I think Brian Kelly and his offensive mind may get a be tempted to use him on offense.

Wherever Darby ends up, he should produce and produce a bit early for Notre Dame.

Other Notable Wolverine Recruits

Michigan has four LB commitments that are outstanding second level defenders. James Ross, Kaleb Ringer, Joe Bolden and Royce Jenkins-Stone are among the top 25 LBs in the country.

CB Terry Richardson is a quick, sticky cover-corner that I really am high on. Then the DL class is also a great compilation.

Defensive ends Chris Wormley, Tom Strobel and Mario Ojemudia are all 4-star commits, while 4-star DT Ondre Pipkins is a 6-foot-3, 320-pound load in the middle.

Jarrod Wilson, a DB, TE Devin Funchess and OT Erik Magnuson are also 4-star players that should be starters one day.

Other Notable Irish Recruits

Aside from Darby, Notre Dame also has a pledge from Tee Shepard, who Scout.com lists as the No.3 overall CB prospect in the country.

Defensive tackle Sheldon Day is a 6-foot-2, 280-pounder that could play the 5-technique or the NT spot. Jarron Jones, a 6-foot-5, 290-pounder, could be a starter at DT one day, if he's not a great LT. 

Wide receiver Deontay Greenberry has personally told me he feels he could be the next Michael Floyd, and Nick Barratti could play QB but his excellent play speed may make him a great free safety.

Who Has the Better Class?

This was a close call, as it came down to the star power of Notre Dame's class vs. the depth Michigan has assembled.

I'm going with the depth.

Michigan has the better class overall and probably will fit somewhere inside the top five to eight classes in the country. Notre Dame should/could find itself inside the top 10 as well depending on how things go.