Monday, December 16, 2019

The "Un-Talked About" Story on Recruiting...


It's a term called "over-signing" and some college football programs are willing to do more of it, than others...

Remember -- the NCAA limits FBS teams to 85 full scholarships on their football roster.  

Here's a look at the last four signing classes (2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019) for the teams going into this year's College Football Playoff  -- compared to Notre Dame, Alabama, Georgia, Michigan and USC.

I've also added in a comparison of total wins over the last three football seasons (including bowls / playoffs):

LSU:
  • 2016:  27 -- 2nd ranked class
  • 2017:  24 -- 7th ranked class
  • 2018:  22 -- 15th ranked class
  • 2019:  25 -- 5th ranked class
  • Total / Avg: 98 signed -- 7.25 average class rank
  • Total wins -- last three seasons:  32

OHIO STATE:
  • 2016:  25 -- 4th ranked class
  • 2017:  21 -- 2nd ranked class
  • 2018:  28 -- 2nd ranked class
  • 2019:  17 -- 14th ranked class
  • Total / Avg:  91 signed -- 5.5 average class rank
  • Total wins -- last three seasons:  38

CLEMSON:
  • 2016:  21 -- 11th ranked class
  • 2017:  14 -- 16th ranked class
  • 2018:  17 -- 7th ranked class
  • 2019:  29 -- 10th ranked class
  • Total / Avg: 81 signed -- 11.0 average class rank
  • Total games won -- last three seasons:  39

OKLAHOMA:
  • 2016:  21 --19th ranked class
  • 2017:  28 -- 8th ranked class
  • 2018:  23 -- 9th ranked class
  • 2019:  24 -- 6th ranked class
  • Total / Avg:  96 signed -- 10.5 average class rank
  • Total games won -- last three seasons:  36

ALABAMA:
  • 2016:  25 -- 1st ranked class
  • 2017:  29 -- 1st ranked class
  • 2018:  22 -- 5th ranked class
  • 2019:  27 -- 1st ranked class
  • Total / Avg: 103 signed -- 2.0 average class rank
  • Total games won -- last three seasons:  37

GEORGIA:
  • 2016:  23 -- 6th ranked class
  • 2017:  26 -- 3rd ranked class
  • 2018:  26 -- 1st ranked class
  • 2019:  25 -- 2nd ranked class
  • Total / Avg: 100 signed -- 3.0 average class rank
  • Total games won -- last three seasons:  35

USC:
  • 2016:  21 -- 10th ranked class
  • 2017:  24 -- 4th ranked class
  • 2018:  18 -- 4th ranked class
  • 2019:  25 -- 20th ranked class
  • Total:  88 signed -- 9.5 average class rank
  • Total games won -- last three seasons:  24

MICHIGAN:
  • 2016:  28 -- 8th ranked class
  • 2017:  30 -- 5th ranked class
  • 2018:  19 -- 22nd ranked class
  • 2019:  26 -- 8th ranked class
  • Total: 103 signed -- 10.75 average class rank
  • Total games won -- last three seasons:  27

NOTRE DAME:
  • 2016:  23 -- 15th ranked class
  • 2017:  21 -- 10th ranked class
  • 2018:  27 -- 10th ranked class
  • 2019:  22 -- 16th ranked class
  • Total:  93 signed -- 12.75 average class rank
  • Total games won -- last three seasons: 32


 Sources:  247Sports for Recruiting info and ESPN for season wins



Notre Dame's Advent Series: December 16


A Notre Dame Family's Tribute to Eli Manning


John and Mary Beth Wilcox (Long Island, NY) parents of three Domers; Alex '16, Christopher '20 and Julia '23 -- are lifelong fans of the New York Giants.

They're also big fans of Eli Manning, who likely made his last home start for the Giants.  To show their appreciation for Manning -- the Wilcox's brought their home made signs to MetLife Stadium yesterday for the Giants win over the Dolphins.

That is John and Mary Beth holding up their signs for Eli on the cover of today's New York Daily News.  (John and Mary Beth are furthest left in the image above).

Got to love devoted fans like this!

Notre Dame's Recruiting Class -- Hype Video



The early signing period for Notre Dame Football begins this Wednesday, December 18th!

Friday, December 13, 2019

Keep An Eye Out For This Before Christmas...


Had some fun last night with seven Notre Dame student-athletes and the Notre Dame Leprechaun -- filming a Christmas message for the Rockne Athletics Fund.

Left to right in photo above:  Mikayla Vaughn (basketball), Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa (football), Marist Liufau (football), Abby Sweet (softball), Sam Jackson (Leprechaun), Hannah Thompson (volleyball), Liam Eichenberg (football) and Jemma Yeadon (volleyball).

Click on photo to enlarge.

Notre Dame's Advent Series: December 13


Know Thy Bowl Opponent: Iowa State vs KSU


Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Notre Dame Continues to Buck National Trends


The total number of donors to the University of Notre Dame continues to rise -- this is not the norm (see Against The Odds linked below).

And, If you don't think every gift matters -- think about this for a second...

Gifts of less than $200 (taken in during the last academic year) have paid for the full cost of attendance for 43 students to attend the University of Notre Dame this year.


LINK:  AGAINST THE ODDS


LINK:  MAKE A GIFT TO NOTRE DAME