Recruiting: Big Plays On The Way

Notre Dame will be adding a number of explosive playmakers thanks to the 2020 class.

Over the last three years there is no doubt that head coach Brian Kelly and his staff have closed the talent gap between themselves and elite teams like Alabama and Clemson. There is no debating that, but there’s also no debating that Notre Dame still isn’t there yet.

This is especially true on offense, where the Irish offense still needs more impact playmaking ability. Senior wideout Chase Claypool has been outstanding through the first three games of the season, and junior tight end Cole Kmet was brilliant in the loss to Georgia.

There is potential in the sophomore class with wide receivers Lawrence Keys III, Braden Lenzy, Kevin Austin and tight end Tommy Tremble.

But more help is needed, and landing impact athletes on offense must become a yearly thing for the Irish staff. The good news for Notre Dame is that the 2020 class is bringing in arguably the most impactful group of skill players of the Kelly era.

If the class is as good as I think it is, there will be an opportunity for the group to make an immediate impact.

Chris Tyree, Running Back

When I say that Chester (Va.) Thomas Dale running back Chris Tyree is the fastest player in the country I am not being hyperbolic. The talented runner won the fastest man competition at the Nike Football The Opening Finals each of the last two summers, and he was the nation’s fastest 55-meter sprinter for his class as both a sophomore and junior.

Notre Dame has backs that can do damage between the tackles, but it lacks a home run threat. With all due respect to former standouts Josh Adams and Dexter Williams, Notre Dame has not had a running back with his explosiveness in decades.

Tyree is more than just a burner, bringing a natural feel for running the football to the game. He shows good patience as a runner, makes quick decisions and then shows the ability to explode through holes. At 5-10 and 180 pounds Tyree is not the biggest back, but as his highlights below will show, he’s more than willing to put his shoulder down to pick up tough yards.

The Thomas Dale star has a 95-yard kick return for a score this season, and it wouldn’t be the least bit surprising to see him get an early opportunity on special teams as a freshman.

Jordan Johnson, Wide Receiver

Rivals ranks St. Louis (Mo.) DeSmet Jesuit star wideout Jordan Johnson as a five-star recruit, and ESPN ranks him as the nation’s No. 47 player. Johnson isn’t a traditional burner, but he’s an explosive player that brings big-play traits to the offense.

Johnson plays big, possessing good height (6-2), long arms and top-level ball skills. Even when covered Johnson shows the ability to make big plays, but his route running potential and speed make him a hard cover. Johnson has top-level foot quickness and a strong burst at the line, which helps him maximize his playing speed and gives him the potential to develop into a dynamic route runner.

At this point Johnson is more of a vertical player, but in high school he has shown the ability to do damage after the catch. His length and ball skills make him a good fit for the boundary position, but his speed and big-play skills could thrive at both the X and slot positions to the field.

Johnson will have a talented group of players ahead of him, but he’ll be hard to keep off the field, even as a freshman.

Xavier Watts, Wide Receiver

I’m of the opinion that Omaha (Neb.) Burke athlete Xavier Watts is one of the most underrated players in the entire country, and he could be at the top of that list. Rivals and 247Sports rank him as a three-star recruit, and while ESPN has him as a four-star player, he isn’t in the ESPN300.

My grade for Watts is that of a Top 100 player, and the Notre Dame staff prioritized him over a number of Top 100 recruits. Watts is a versatile athlete that is being recruited to play wide receiver at Notre Dame, but the Irish defensive staff made a push for him to come in and play on defense.

Watts wants to play offense, and Notre Dame could use his skills. He’s 6-0 and 180 pounds, but he’s strong for his size, and athletically he brings home run traits to the offense. He shows good vision, impressive cutting ability and he's hard to bring down in space. Watts complements Johnson quite well, with Johnson being more of a vertical player first and Watts being more of an after-the-catch player, but neither are one-dimensional.

Watts needs a lot of work as a route runner, which is why enrolling early is so big for him.

Michael Mayer, Tight End

There is no guarantee that Kmet returns next season, especially after how well he played in his first game back from a clavicle injury. It’s not a strong year at tight end and Kmet has battled injuries throughout his career. If he can stay healthy the rest of the way and continue producing at a high level the NFL will be very enticing.

Notre Dame will return athletic sophomore Tommy Tremble, but he’ll need help. Classmate George Takacs is a talented young player, but Alexandria (Ky.) Covington Catholic star Michael Mayer could make a case for being the most talented tight end recruit to commit to Notre Dame since Kelly took over in 2010.

Mayer has outstanding size, possessing top-level height (6-5) and length. He’s a tough player that can block, and he was a first-team All-State player in Kentucky as both a defensive end (sophomore) and linebacker (junior). Those traits should help him make a quick adjustment to the physical part of the game.

But what makes Mayer special is what he can do as a pass catcher. Combining his size and skills with the athleticism of Tremble could give the Irish a dynamic one-two punch at the position for years to come.