Notre Dame 2024 Commits: What To Watch For As Seniors
We are less than a month away from the 2023 high school season officially kicking off. With that, the future of Notre Dame football is set to showcase their talents.
The 2024 recruiting class are all eyeing massive senior seasons. Let’s take a look at each skill position player, what they have put on to film so far, and improvements that could take them to a new level this season.
QB CJ Carr - Saline (Mich.) HS
On film, the Saline High School star put together a tremendous season as a junior. His arm strength improved substantially as his frame filled out. Carr also made a jump outside of the structure of the offense, winning more and more outside of the pocket. In large, he went from a player he won almost exclusively in the pocket as a sophomore to a player who can operate in both fashion’s consistently.
After some easy season turnover issues in 2022, Carr quickly got a better grasp of what he could and couldn’t get away with. Carr has a deep understanding of his strengths and things he still needs to improve on.
NEXT STEP AS A SENIOR
Carr’s body filled out considerably as a junior. This off-season, he appears to have added even more good weight to his frame. From an arm strength perspective, there is an expectation that it could take a bigger step forward. He already has good arm strength but could it get more into the very good-elite area as a senior?
With Carr’s ability to extend plays more consistently, there are the risk-reward chances that will be at a higher rate. The Michigan standout seemed to cut down on those mistakes as the season went on but an attention to detail in that department is still needed. That could allow him to be an absolute headache for opposing defenses on a snap to snap perspective.
RB Aneyas Williams - Hannibal (Mo.) HS
As far as production is concerned, you’d be hard pressed to find a more impressive running back in the 2024 recruiting class than Williams. While he doesn’t play the best competition in the world, Williams proceeds to absolutely dominate it. He does so with his all around skill set, possessing a good blend of power and explosiveness. Williams is an outstanding receiver out of the backfield, making a ton of plays down the field for Hannibal.
The toughness that Williams runs with may be his most surprising trait for a player he played below 200 pounds last year. He makes it look personal on the field, routinely throwing defenders off of him and finishing runs with tremendous contact balance. Williams is a ferocious and determined runner.
NEXT STEP AS A SENIOR
Williams is up to over 200 pounds this off-season, which looks like great weight based upon pictures of him over the last couple of months. Some players can comfortably put on weight, while also adding explosiveness. Others can struggle to maintain athleticism. It will be interesting to see what Williams athleticism looks like as a senior.
Long speed for Williams is solid but unspectacular. Can he be a player who consistently hits home runs? Showing an extra gear would be big for him to be able to check even more boxes than he already does.
RB Kedren Young - Lufkin (Texas) HS
The other half of Notre Dame’s dynamic running back duo in 2024, Young is an incredible combination of size and explosiveness at the position. He also brings underrated quickness to avoid contact and create hidden yardage.
For a bigger running back, Young also brings some surprising home run ability. Once he breaks the second level, he is hardly ever hauled down from behind. He brings the power back profile with a little more burst than Young is given credit for.
NEXT STEP AS A SENIOR
Overall impact in the passing game is something that I would love to see more of from Young. While he appears to have solid hands, showcasing added upside in that department would be huge for his upside.
Young playing with more efficient footwork would also be a big add to his game this off-season. He has quickness to make defenders miss in space but does have some false steps at times. Playing more controlled would add that bonus to his game.
WR Cam Williams - Glen Ellyn (Ill.) Glenbard South
The step Williams took as a junior is so impressive. He went from a really good player as a sophomore to one of the dynamic pass game weapons in the 2024 recruiting class. A big reason for that is his combination of explosiveness and long speed. He is an incredibly difficult cover in man-to-man situations.
Williams also developed the finer points of his game as a junior. His releases were a ton better, really being able to threaten opposing defensive backs early on in reps. Once he was able to win at the line, it became almost an impossible task.
NEXT STEP AS A SENIOR
Technically Williams took a step forward but he can still make more progress as a route runner. He wins mostly as a vertically oriented player right now, and for good reason. If he’s able to unlock his route running upside, he can be a complete three level threat.
Physically, Williams looks like he has filled out this off-season. If he’s able to add more play strength, it’ll allow him to win more contested catches down the field.
WR Micah Gilbert - Charlotte (N.C.) Christian
From a route running perspective, there aren’t many better than Gilbert in the 2024 recruiting class. For a bigger wide receiver, he has smooth hips to get in and out of his breaks well. He also has a clear understanding for how to find space, showing the talent to find space and sit down in soft zones.
When you talk about hand strength, Gilbert exemplifies arguably the top in the country. When the ball hits his hands, they stick with incredible ease. He profiles as an elite easy possession receiver on the next level.
NEXT STEP AS A SENIOR
Gilbert did deal with a leg injury that cost him some time as a junior. If he is able to stay healthy, it will be interesting to see just how much his explosiveness and long speed will be improved. That is really the only missing area of his game.
The initial explosiveness can hurt Gilbert’s ability to work against press coverage. He will need to find ways to better defeat contact at the line and maximize release points, whether that is with added explosion or an increased release package.
WR Logan Saldate - Salinas (Calif.) Palma
The latest addition to an extremely talented offensive class, Saldate brings a dynamic that wasn’t previously in the class. He is a super shifty slot receiver who really thrives working in space. That quickness pops immediately, both with his talents as a route runner and ability to make defenders miss in the opening.
For a smaller receiver, Saldate also plays really strong on the air. He has more than a couple examples of him being able to win in the air, showcasing excellent concentration and a pair of strong hands.
NEXT STEP AS A SENIOR
Saldate’s short area explosiveness is really good but his long speed doesn’t pop consistently on film. He does have some very promising sprinting numbers so the hope is that it shows up more as a senior. Right now he profiles as a short to intermediate separator. If he can showcase that speed, he could potentially profile as a three level threat.
Natural physical development would be beneficial for Saldate. He is going to make his living in the middle of the field so having a strong frame would be very beneficial to consistently play through contact.
TE Jack Larsen - Charlotte (N.C.) Catholic
One of the more underrated players in the 2024 recruiting class for Notre Dame is Larsen, who brings a really appealing baseline as a pass receiver from his tight end position. The first thing that pops off on film from Larsen is his ability to win consistently in the air. With his combination of body control, hand eye coordination and hand strength, it allows him to win consistently in traffic.
Larsen also brings a nice combination of smoothness and versatility to the table. When you pop on the film for Charlotte Catholic, you can see Larsen wearing a lot of hats for the offense. He can make plays outside of the numbers, from the slot and as an H-back on the field. There is route running upside from any of those alignments, showcasing that smoothness and understanding of spacing.
NEXT STEP AS A SENIOR
Athletically, Larsen isn’t the most explosive athlete with pretty ordinary long speed. The hope is that natural maturation has happened and Larsen has gained some added explosiveness and speed as he has filled out. If he is able to show added upside in that area, that really has a chance to transform him into a difference maker at multiple levels of the field.
Larsen also needs to continue to fill out his frame. While his height/length does limit growth potential, he will still need to add strength to play consistently in line as a run blocker.
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2023 Scholarship Chart
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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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