The first article in this series looked at quarterback, running back, and wide receiver. We will finish things up on the offensive side of the ball today with a look at offensive line and tight end. These are traditionally positions of strength for Notre Dame, although we’ve had many discussions in the past about the worth of these spots in recruiting terms and how they’ve propped up classes in the past. In a weird turn of events as the Irish look to put together an elite class, these positions are not necessarily doing the same for 2023.

Note: I compiled these numbers in mid-May right before 247 added the On3 rankings into their Composite. So, the numbers in these articles will be a little off compared to the live rankings you can now research.

We’ll be looking at the mean, median, and percent of blue-chips at each position between 2023 and 2022, with a comparison to the 2010 cycle, as well.

247 Composite scores used throughout. 

OFFENSIVE TACKLE

Mean
2023: 0.9459
2022: 0.9320
2010: 0.9414

Median
2023: 0.9473
2022: 0.9169
2010: 0.9416

Blue-Chip Percent
2023: 6.57%
2022: 8.33%
2010: 8.35%

The current 2023 class isn’t very deep but is pretty loaded with 12 tackles inside the top 100 of the Composite–3 more than in 2022. The top 2 tackles for ’23 (Francis Mauigoa and Kadyn Proctor) are also rated higher than the ’22 highest rated tackle in Zach Rice.

Notre Dame took advantage of a deeper 2022 class by signing 3 tackles inside the top 20 of their positions, although long term 2 of those players are expected to play on the interior.

That 2010 class was something fierce for tackle talent, led at the top by the memorable Seantreal Henderson. That cycle had 17(!) tackles rated inside the top 125 national player rankings. Notre Dame signed only one, Matt James, who tragically passed away prior to enrolling in school.

For 2023, Notre Dame would be pretty happy if they sign no. 5 overall tackle Charles Jagusah in a top-heavy cycle.

INTERIOR OFFENSIVE LINE

Mean
2023: 0.9213
2022: 0.9365
2010: 0.9192

Median
2023: 0.9093
2022: 0.9395
2010: 0.9210

Blue-Chip Percent
2023: 5.26%
2022: 3.90%
2010: 5.76%

We’re in a weird spot where Notre Dame’s current offensive line recruiting is pulling down the class average by quite a bit. Looking at these numbers for the interior, perhaps we have found some reasoning.

The 2023 class has 6 more blue-chip interior prospects compared to 2022 but the median score for the current cycle is really, really low. Exactly half of the 2023 IOL’s have scores of 0.9075 or below. In other words, half the cycle is barely at blue-chip level.

Notre Dame signed the the top interior lineman from the Midwest last year (Billy Schrauth) and might feel a little hard done by missing out on both Joshua Padilla (0.9270) and Austin Siereveld (0.9148) from Ohio who both committed to the Buckeyes.

Otherwise, it doesn’t look like 2023 was worth all that much in terms of recruiting power for interior linemen.

TIGHT END

Mean
2023: 0.9303
2022: 0.9165
2010: 0.9377

Median
2023: 0.9179
2022: 0.9092
2010: 0.9311

Blue-Chip Percent
2023: 5.52%
2022: 4.68%
2010: 3.74%

If I had to guess, we have been seeing a small uptick in the amount of blue-chip tight ends as the position continued to morph into an important pass-catching option. The percent rate from 2010 would seem to suggest it’s being valued a lot more often in recent cycles.

With that said, last year was one of the weakest tight end classes in recent memory, especially at the top. It featured just 1 top 100 recruit (Jake Johnson, Texas A&M, 95th overall) and 1 fewer overall blue-chip recruit compared to 2023. For comparison, Notre Dame commit Eli Raridon was the No. 5 tight end in 2022 but only the 187th overall player. For 2023, that No. 5 tight end in Arkansas commit Luke Hasz is rated 81st overall nationally.

After bringing in 2 tight ends for 2022 (including the aforementioned Raridon, who many like a whole lot) we knew 2023 wouldn’t be a huge priority for this position. Still, seeing 10 tight ends inside the top 150 overall rankings and having one commit almost 100 spots lower at No. 244 makes you wonder if the Irish should do better for 2023.

Right now the program is zeroing in on Charlotte, North Carolina 2024 tight end Jack Larsen (0.9293) who was at the recent Irish Invasion and is the No. 8 tight end and currently 169th overall, 18 spots higher than Raridon in 2022. He’ll be committing this Friday, June 24th at 5:00 PM ET.