Throughout this past week Rivals has been releasing their Top 100 prospects for the 2022 class, day by day but without exact rankings. It may seem like a quite a way from either 2022 signing day, but it’s never to early to take a look at who stands out as some of the best prospects around the nation.
The Irish currently do not have any prospects committed for the ’22 class, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t hard at work trying to secure commits from some of the best players in the nation. Monday’s set of highlighted players with Irish offers saw Florida OT Julian Armella (5-Star), Wisconsin Safety Braelon Allen, Illinois Athlete Kaleb Brown, and Ohio LB Gabe Powers. Even tough Massachusetts LB Tyler Martin doesn’t hold an offer, Rivals Mike Farrell sees the Irish as a player in his recruitment. Brown and Powers are players that their experts see the Irish standing out for at the current moment.
Tuesday saw Wisconsin OT Joe Brunner, California WR Tetairoa McMillan, and Nevada OLB Cyrus Moss all named, all holding Irish offers. Farrell sees Brunner as a tough pull from to get out of state as the Badgers are viewed as the team to beat. The Irish are seen as a few schools that stand out early to McMillan and Moss while Michigan’s Will Johnson doesn’t hold an offer, but like Martin, Notre Dame is squarely in his recruitment.
The midweek group of players included California WR CJ Williams, Maryland DE Dani Dennis-Sutton, Colorado RB Gavin Sawchuk, Kansas S Dasan McCullough and Illinois WR Tyler Morris. In-state QB Brady Allen doesn’t hold a Notre Dame offer, but Farrell believes if that were to happen, the Irish would be right in the mix for the talented signal caller. Of the players who hold Irish offers, Williams, Sawchuk and Morris, the Blue and Gold are in the mix for their commitments.
Thursday once again saw players that have already caught the Irish’s eyes in Maryland OLB Jaishawn Barham, California Athlete Kamari Ramsey, and Pennsylvania RB Nicholas Singleton. Farrell sees Notre Dame as a team Ramsey is highly considering. New Jersey OT Jacob Allen and Ohio OT Blake Miller don’t hold an offer currently, but Farrell sees the Irish as a contender for his commitment if they throw their hat in the ring.
The final set of players on Friday had Ohio S CJ Hicks, Wisconsin C Carson Hinzman, Texas RB Emeka Megwa, and Florida DE Shemar Stewart. Farrell likes Notre Dame’s chances with Hicks and Hinzman as their recruitments pick up. No offer for Virginia DE Bryce Carter, but Farrell thinks if that offers comes from Brian Kelly and staff, the Irish could potentially stand out for Carter.
The recruitment for the 2022 class is just starting the heat up and there are many encouraging signs early on for an elite group of prospects to ultimately end up in South Bend. Brian Kelly and his staff have done a great job early of identifying top talent and offering them early. Hopefully this early work on the class has big time results later on.