Notre Dame needs to load up on receivers in the class of 2023 after a big swing and miss last cycle by former wide receiver coach Del Alexander. As of today, they only have one committed for 2023, but they could be getting closer to adding another after Tom Loy of Irish Illustrated placed a Crystal Ball prediction for 4-star WR Ronan Hanafin for Notre Dame on Saturday.
For a while, Notre Dame has been considered the leader for Ronan Hanafin as one of the first major programs to be all over him. When the Irish offered, he was a three-star prospect without a very impressive offer list. However, as of last week, he’s now a 4-star receiver on 247 with offers from Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma, and USC, among other smaller programs like Boston College and Virginia Tech.
Hanafin was on the guest list for Notre Dame’s monster official visit weekend just a week ago. On3 had Hanafin at almost 80% to Notre Dame, with just one prediction placed for Notre Dame from Blue & Gold’s Mike Singer back in February. On Saturday, Loy was the first prediction from 247 to go in for Hanafin.
Hanafin already visited Clemson in addition to Notre Dame and is currently at Alabama this weekend. He is also scheduled to visit Boston College next weekend, with a decision expected sometime this summer. Notably, Loy’s prediction for Hanafin was placed on Saturday during the planned visit to Alabama.
Rico Flores Cancels Georgia Visit
Another bit of wide receiver recruiting news from the weekend is 4-star WR Rico Flores canceling his scheduled visit to Georgia this weekend. Flores visited Notre Dame last weekend along with Hanafin and Notre Dame’s lone WR commit, Braylon James. Flores has a July 3 announcement set and had Crystal Ball predictions flying in for him earlier this week following his visit as well.
Hanafin’s recruitment is starting to feel like one that could end at any moment, while Flores is just two weeks away from making his announcement. It would be huge for the Irish if they were to exit the July 4th weekend with both Flores and Hanafin locked up to team with James.
Notre Dame’s hopeful 4th receiver for the class, Jaden Greathouse, is currently on campus for his official, but there have been reports that his recruitment could stretch into the fall. Those reports came before Marcus Freeman, and Chansi Stuckey got him on campus for the weekend, though, so we’ll hopefully know soon where the Irish stand coming out of that visit.
Both Hanifan and Rico Flores are committed to Notre Dame. Announcements are forthcoming.
Freeman has made Notre Dame “cool again!”
I’ve been following recruiting closely for nearly 30 years and I’ve never been more optimistic as I have with Freeman and company in their pursuit of the most prominent recruits. This staff has shown an energy, a charisma, and enthusiasm that has dispelled the tired lazy mantra that ND cannot compete with the elite when recruiting. Hard work and an impressive (from all I’ve read) ability to relate with and attract elite recruits to at least visit has made ND arrive among legitimate competitors (and then some) for reeling in the talent necessary to compete with the best. This in no way means to denigrate the great ND players of the last three decades and, although I’ve never been a Kelly fan, he and Swarbick did lay the foundation for this current recruiting success. But Freeman and his staff’s diligence, ability to connect and relate to these young athletes, and the effort of this staff has been impressive. Hope reigns supreme each pre-season but legitimate optimism has never been more justified these last thirty years. Onward Notre Dame !
Notre Dame is starting to lap the ACC…Clemson signed only 10 blue chips (4 and 5*) for 2022 and although they have a solid top ten class for ‘23 so far they’re falling behind Notre Dame significantly especially along both lines of scrimmage.
Miami for some god knows whatever reason is struggling to recruit so far under Cristobal.
In addition, to Hanifan and Flores, Notre Dame also has an additional three verbal commitments from 4* prospects that will be made public soon.