Confidence Picks: Notre Dame Looks For A Strong Recruiting Finish

Irish Breakdown gives confidence picks for the remaining 2024 recruits on the Notre Dame board

Notre Dame has put together an outstanding recruiting class so far in the 2024 cycle, but the class will ultimately be defined by how the Fighting Irish coaching staff finishes the class off. One of the top remaining targets on the board is Top 100 safety Brauntae Johnson, who is slated to make his final decision on Saturday and the Irish are in a strong position.

There are seven other prospects left on the board, so let's take a look at where things stand. I'll break down where things stand, the confidence level for Notre Dame's chances at landing each player, and the top contenders. 

Guerby Lambert, Offensive Line

Confidence: 8

Top Contenders: Ohio State, Boston College, Penn State

Lambert has been on top of the Notre Dame offensive tackle board from the moment he received his scholarship offer. The retirement of Harry Hiestand knocked Notre Dame off the top spot, and new coach Joe Rudolph had a lot of ground to make up. Rudolph, director of recruiting Chad Bowden and the rest of the offensive staff did a tremendous job during Lambert's early June official visit. He has since visited Boston College and Ohio State, and the Buckeyes are the top contender.

Notre Dame has put itself in an outstanding position with Lambert, and if the staff continues the current trend the Irish would be hard to beat. There is still work to be done, but I'd much, much rather be in Notre Dame's position right now than any other program.

Lambert is incredibly important for Notre Dame. The Irish have an outstanding offensive class, and landing Lambert - one of the best offensive linemen in the class - is the final huge need for this class.

Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, Linebacker

Confidence: 8

Top Contenders: Ohio State, USC

While Lambert has been the top offensive lineman on the board for a very long time, Viliamu-Asa has been the top linebacker on the board for just as long. The St. John Bosco star has made three trips to the Notre Dame campus, but the most recent trip had the biggest impact. Notre Dame's consistent message has had a major impact on Viliamu-Asa, and getting his family on campus for the June official visit was impactful as well.

Notre Dame has been battling Ohio State and USC for Viliamu-Asa for some time. The Trojans made a huge move for him during his early June visit, but Notre Dame followed that up with a visit that was just as strong, if not stronger. Right now I view Notre Dame as the leader for Viliamu-Asa, but the looming visit to Ohio State this weekend will be very important.

The Irish have the momentum right now, but they'll need to hold off the Buckeyes if they want to land this vitally important prospect.

Carter Nelson, Tight End

Confidence: 6

Top Contenders: Georgia, Penn State, Nebraska

Notre Dame doesn't necessarily have a need for a second tight end in the 2024 class, but that hasn't stopped them from making Nelson a major priority. Simply put, numbers don't really matter here, the Notre Dame staff views Nelson as a must-get talent. Notre Dame was in a strong early position, but other programs were able to impress him in recent months. Gerad Parker did a tremendous job of showing Nelson how he'll be used in the offense during his recent official visit. 

Notre Dame certainly made a move with Nelson, but the defending champion Georgia Bulldogs might be the team to beat at the moment. This is true despite Georgia already having two tight ends in the 2024 class. Nelson still has official visits to Penn State and Nebraska remaining, and there's still plenty of time for Notre Dame to continue making a move on Nelson.

I actually like where Notre Dame stands with Nelson right now, but until the staff can show they can go toe-to-toe with Georgia for top recruits I'm going to remain a bit reserved. I'm closer to a 5 than a 7 at this point for this very reason.

Justin Scott, Defensive Tackle

Confidence: 5

Top Contenders: Miami, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State

Notre Dame was once on the verge of landing a commitment from Scott, but he made the decision to continue going through the recruiting process. The end result was Notre Dame fading with Scott, and there are a number of reasons for that. Scott is making summer official visits to Georgia, Miami, Michigan and Ohio State, but he's not making one to Notre Dame. That's certainly a troubling reality, and right now Notre Dame has a lot of work to do.

If I was making a prediction for Scott today the Fighting Irish would not be my prediction. I'd pick Miami right now, but a recent trip to Georgia also made the Bulldogs a major player. At the end of the day, I'm still of the belief that even if he commits somewhere else before hand, Scott is going to stay closer to home. Head coach Marcus Freeman has made Scott a priority, and I still have confidence that he can have a big impact on where Scott signs.

Scott has been adamant that he'll make an official visit to Notre Dame in the fall. The longer he goes without setting that visit the less confident I will be, but right now I still believe the Irish have a fighting chance.

Kaleb Beasley, Cornerback

Confidence: 4

Top Contenders: Tennessee

Beasley is currently committed to Tennessee, but despite comments that he's solid to the Volunteers I still believe Notre Dame has a chance to eventually add him to the class. Obviously being an in-state standout has been key to Beasley committing to and staying committed to Tennessee, but the fact is he's a Notre Dame type of young man. If the Irish staff is willing to stay on Beasley, and if they can convince him to take an official visit for the Ohio State game, I think they can eventually get him in the class.

It won't be easy, but Beasley is just too good of a fit for the staff to not keep pushing for him, and that could mean a lot come signing day.

Bradley Shaw, Linebacker

Confidence: 3

Top Contenders: Auburn, Georgia, Arkansas

Notre Dame has had Shaw on campus on multiple occasions, but right now I believe the Irish staff is focusing most of its attention on landing Viliamu-Asa. Although the coaches like Shaw quite a bit, the combination of them not pushing right now (because of Viliamu-Asa) and the fact programs like Auburn, Arkansas and Georgia are will make this one highly unlikely to end in Notre Dame's favor.

Malcolm Ziglar, Safety

Confidence: 1

Top Contenders: South Carolina, North Carolina, Clemson

Notre Dame did well during the recent official visit with Ziglar, but I believe this one is about getting in a little too late. Even if Notre Dame continues making a push for Ziglar, being able to overcome South Carolina and North Carolina is going to be too tough. I'm also not sold on whether or not Notre Dame is going to make that push should they get Johnson on Saturday.

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Irish Breakdown Content

2023 Scholarship Chart
2023 Football Schedule

Notre Dame 2024 Scholarship Offers

2024 Commit Rankings - Offense
2024 Commit Rankings - Defense

2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Offense
2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Defense

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