2024 Offensive Line Recruiting Overview: Notre Dame Has A Chance To Sign An Elite Class
In the first year of Harry Hiestand returning as offensive line coach for Notre Dame, he helped put together a very talented five-man class for the 2023 recruiting class. That haul included Charles Jagusah, Sullivan Absher, Sam Pendleton, Joe Otting and Christopher Terek.
Notre Dame landed one of the best hauls in the country, and now Hiestand is tasked with landing a class that is just as good, but ideally one that is even better. It's not a great year for offensive line recruits nationally, so Hiestand and the Irish staff will need to hit at a high rate in order to make that happen, but the prospects are on the board to do so.
NEEDS IN 2024
Notre Dame has five players on the roster from the 2021 class, four from the 2022 class and five will show up from the 2023 class. Notre Dame isn't really in position where numbers are as important as high level talent, and landing a specific type of player.
Right now Notre Dame only "needs" three offensive linemen, but it would get to four, or even five, if the right players wanted to join the class. Getting to five might also need to coincide with some attrition from the current roster, but four is a comfortable number.
Notre Dame needs to land impacts blockers in the 2024 class, and more specifically, the Irish staff must hit on more pure offensive tackles in the 2024 group. Over the last two cycles the staff has signed a plethora of extremely talented offensive linemen, but it does appear to be heavy on interior players and power blockers.
That makes it paramount that Notre Dame land at least two blockers that can comfortable stick on the edge in a ND uniform.
COMMIT IN THE CLASS
Notre Dame received a nice early commitment from Malvern (Pa.) Prep offensive lineman Peter Jones. The 6-5, 290-pound Pennsylvania blocker currently mans the right tackle position for Malvern Prep and does have the length to project there.
The better projection for him, however, could be inside at guard where his combination of power, hand usage and body type could be a tremendous asset for the Irish line. Jones brings a tremendous baseline as a football player. He is exactly the style that Coach Hiestand has succeeded with so often before.
With Jones in the class, the Irish staff can now focus almost exclusively at offensive tackles in the class. There are several intriguing talents who are on the board that Notre Dame is keeping close tabs on.
TOP TARGETS
There is a whole lot of length, athleticism and upside currently on the board for Notre Dame. They seem to be loading up on a variety of intriguing options.
The board starts with West Roxbury (Mass.) Catholic Memorial offensive tackle Guerby Lambert, who is the teammate of 2023 defensive end signee Boubacar Traore. At 6-7 and 280 pounds, Lambert is an incredibly gifted athlete with length and foot quickness for days. As he continues to develop into his frame, he could stake a claim as the top offensive tackle in the 2024 class nationally when all is said and done. Lambert has quickly become a must get for Notre Dame in the class, and right now Notre Dame is in good early position.
Perhaps the most interesting player on the board is Reading (Pa.) Wyomissing standout Caleb Brewer, who has spent most of his time at tight end and defensive end for his high school team thus far. The 6-5, 300-pounder is also a standout wrestler and one of the best heavyweights in Pennsylvania.
With his combination of size, foot quickness, flexibility and physicality, Brewer could be an absolute star down the road. He has special physical traits. Michigan and Penn State are two programs making a hard run at Brewer, but Notre Dame is heavy on him as well.
Hiestand has taken a liking to Hamilton (Ind.) Southeastern star Styles Prescod. Another long and athletic offensive tackle, Prescod is again a very projectable player on the next level.
He is a bit more raw than a couple players on the board but at 6-6 and 270 pounds, there are clearly some athletic gifts to work with. Prescod is a project that Coach Hiestand could do well with.
More of an interior offensive lineman type, the staff is also very high on Brookline (Mass.) Dexter School standout Liam Andrews. The Massachusetts native is a gritty blocker who brings a nice all around profile. There seems to be real interest from both sides.
The staff is also recruiting Pennsylvania native Kevin Haywood and Iowa standout Grant Brix. They both bring a lot of gifts to work with. It is worth keeping a close eye on both moving forward.
MUST GET
Lambert is the unquestioned “must get” in this class. If he hits his potential, the Massachusetts native has the talent to become a dominant football player on the next level. Hiestand has already shown he can turn prospects with his skillset into Top 10 NFL Draft picks (Ronnie Stanley, Mike McGlinchey). He has legitimate blindside protector written all over him on the next level. They need this type of player moving forward.
After that, it’s about finding one other player who for sure can play offensive tackle on the next level. Brewer does seem to fit that profile but he also could be dominant inside on the next level as well. Regardless, they need to find that player. Speaking of Brewer, whether he projects as a tackle or guard, Notre Dame's staff is extremely high on him and is working hard to get him on campus, and hopefully into the class.
The rest of the class, whether it is one or two players, can be composed of talented players. Position doesn’t matter as much. What matters is continuing to add substantial upside and talent.
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2023 Scholarship Chart
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Notre Dame 2023 Scholarship Offers
Notre Dame 2024 Scholarship Offers
2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Offense
2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Defense
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