Finally, the comprehensive Notre Dame lacrosse recruiting update you have been waiting for.  With our clever clickbait title, it is our goal within Team ND-Atl to convince you that preseason #4 Notre Dame is a lacrosse school above all else.

The November 9 signing day tends to roll by unnoticed when a team is dividing 12.6 scholarships across 50 players.  As such, following Notre Dame lacrosse recruiting is a very inexact science as we’re never entire sure what we have until they show up on the roster the following year. In any event, the 2017 recruiting class looks to be spectacular, with over a dozen prospects looking to take advantage of Notre Dame’s perfect 100 GSR and Federal Graduation Rate.

The class include a whopping four 5-star and six 4-star athletes, which include 10 of the RecruitingRundown top-100 and three of the Inside Lacrosse top-25.  Head Coach Kevin Corrigan also reaffirmed his solo effort to break the ridiculous practice of recruiting way-too-young-kids by convincing at least four student athletes in this class that they committed elsewhere before they were ready.

Geographically, the class includes students from New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, California, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Colorado, New York, Ohio, Missouri, Massachusetts and North Dakota!

With sincere apologies to anyone we may have missed, the 2017 incoming class, as compiled by ND-Atl 2.0 includes:

Connor Morin, Attack (6’3″ 220, NJ)  RR #3, IL #24

Morin has some flashy skills like this nifty toe drag wrap-around goal, but he looks just a bit shy of his listed 6’3″ (goal crossbar is 6 ft. for reference).  Morin was one of the most sought-after attackmen in this class, if not the best in the class.  Has a very good lacrosse IQ and has a reputation of being a good finisher.  Given the need ND has at attack, he’s a huge get for this class.

Arden Cohen, Defense (6’1″ 180, Conn)  RR #7, IL #7

Probably the top H.S. defender in the country.  Great motor, ground ball machine, and seems comfortable leading the break in transition.   We’d like to see him add a few lbs.  Clip added for our 18 Stripes football comrades to remind them there’s still people at Notre Dame that know how to hit, they’re just on the lax team.  From the lacrosse hotbed of North Dakota, to our understanding.

Jose Boyer, LSM (6’2″ 202, NY), RR# 14

Another talented LSM to add to the embarrassment of riches at the position.  Was starting QB for Yorktown HS.  This kid is fast, and wow,  does he get after ground balls!  Some older film of him below.

Mikey Drake, Attack (Del) RR #16, IL# 12

A very athletic dodger that probably could play at the attack or midfield position.  Like Boyer, a multi-sport athlete at defensive back.  Looks to have very good speed and has good vision on the fast break.

Carson Cochran, LSM (Mich) RR #32

Huge and athletic defenseman, listed at 6’4″.  From what we see in the summer league videos, has a tremendous on-ball defensive skill set.  Most of what we’ve seen had him playing close D, but he seems to be comfortable up high and on the fast break.  Throws a good outlet pass on the run.  From the same school as Sergio Perkovic.

Ryan Hallenback, Mid (In) RR #54

A big midfielder from Culver Academy, where Notre Dame is developing a solid pipeline.  A lot of highlights show him with his eyes up executing good passes, and he seems to play the 2-man game well.

Mike Fay, Mid (Pa) RR #64

Another big midfielder, from Malvern (PA).  Not a lot of video that we’ve seen, but highly regarded and what we have seen of him shows him ripping some hard passes.

Wheaton Jackoboice, Attack (Mo) RR #66

Another commit from Culver Academy.  He’s an excellent lefty dodger with a decent right hand, too. A lot of video shows him making some creative skip passes. Great hustle on the ride.

Jake Frane, Mid (Colo) RR # 69

A 6’2″ 210 lb midfielder who doesn’t seem to shy away from throwing his weight around.  Reminds us of former ND and current Denver Outlaw midfielder Nick Ossello.

Matthew Schmidt, Goal (Ind)

Yet another Culver Academy commit.  Schmidt is a top-10 goalie prospect with a lightning fast stick and very aggressive footwork.  Protects the lower half of the goal very well.

Jimmy Littlefield, Defense (Conn)

A solid close defenseman coming off a post-grad year. Really knows how to tie up an attackman’s hands and plays a good face off wing. Lots of good video, although it looks like it was taken from a camera on the international space station.

Davis Allen, Attack (NY)

A gigantic 6’5″ attackman from the school that gave us Matt Landis.  Very agile for such a big guy, and we love his hustle on the ride.  Defenders bounce off him.

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Junior Almeida, FOGO (Mass)

At 6’1″, not the prototype face off guy, but he is very, very effective.  F/O specialists are so critical in today’s game, and he’s a good one.

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Jake Moss, Mid (NJ)

Another big, dodging midfielder.  Film shows he can shoot both lefty and righty, which is a nice bonus these days.  We understand he’ll be taking a post grad year, so we look forward to seeing more film on him and welcoming him in 2018.

If we missed anyone, please comment below.  We’ll enjoy analyzing them.

We’ll climb onto our soapbox for a moment to discuss the “P” word: Poaching.  In our research we find constant  and pointed use of the word in reference to Coach Corrigan. Corrigan has made clear he will present Notre Dame as an option to players who commit to other programs as very  young people, and he should be applauded for not participating in the race to recruit toddlers. There is an embarrassing consensus in much of college lacrosse that this is low.  These people have no shame.  This year, a record number of 8th graders gave their commitment to Division 1 schools.  It is these coaches who should be profoundly ashamed of themselves!

Special thanks to Recruiting Rundown, Inside Lacrosse and LaxPower for compiling lacrosse commitment information.