2 THE obsERVER | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2014 | ndsmcobsERVER.com INSIDER COMMENTARY RECRUITING Notre Dame’s QB Wimbush, WR Guyton season is on the line excelling in senior years didn’t surrender more than Mary Green 17 points in any of its first five Sports Editor games, but since facing North Carolina in mid-October, the Saturday’s matchup against team has let opponents score at Arizona State will be Notre least 31 points in three consecu- Dame’s biggest and best oppor- tive games, including yields of 43 tunity to make a statement this and 39 points. season. On a similar note, the Irish However, it will be up to the have shown their tendency to Irish to determine which type of play to the level and style of their statement they make to future opponents in those last three opponents, fans nationwide and, games, which has both helped perhaps most importantly, the and hurt them. College Football Playoff selection North Carolina was a shootout. committee. Florida State was considered by Every team in America can some to be the best game of the Photo courtesy of Blue & Gold Illustrated, 247Sports say it doesn’t pay attention to the college football season so far. Class of 2015 quarterback Brandon Wimbush committed to Notre Dame in October after flipping from Penn State. Irish recruiting analyst Tom Loy said Wimbush is “a five-star quarterback in [his] book.” rankings, but those rankings still Navy should not have been as control whether a team makes it close as it was, and as a result, the By MIKE MONACO The three-star pledge checks in “Those are guys that are very into the playoff and has a chance Irish fell down two spots in the Senior Sports Writer as the No. 494 overall player in the much perceived as long shots at to contend for a national cham- AP poll to No. 8 and were jumped nation, per 247Sports’ Composite this point, but they could surprise pionship, and Notre Dame is no by Arizona State in the College Amid the seemingly never- Rankings. Loy said Guyton had you,” Loy said. “I could see any exception. Football Playoff rankings. ending stream of commitments, an “average to good” junior sea- one of those guys choosing Notre That’s why this week is so And now, at a most conve- visits and other activity during son, highlighted by a strong post- Dame come signing day.” important. nient time, Arizona State wel- the past few weeks, attention season at Allen High School in Nonetheless, Loy said there’s The Irish have won all the comes Notre Dame to Sun Devil hasn’t always been directed at Texas. This season, Guyton has value for Notre Dame even in games they were supposed to Stadium. It’s the spark the Irish Notre Dame’s current group of 21 teamed with his quarterback, just being under consideration in win, outscoring opponents 256- need to revive a dull patch in pledges in the class of 2015. Texas A&M commit and five-star some scenarios, especially with 142 in victories. The defense has their season and rocket them But many Irish commits have prospect Kyler Murray, to form a blue-chip recruits from states like posted a shutout, the offense closer to those coveted four spots compiled strong senior seasons strong duo through the air. Florida, Texas and California. has posted more than one blow- in the rankings. as they get set to don the blue and “He’s just been dominant. He “You get a kid on campus, it’s out, and Vegas has posted that If the Irish play to the level gold next year in South Bend. looks faster. He’s playing with still a win,” Loy said. “It shows na- Everett Golson currently has the of the Sun Devils, this top-10 Irish recruiting analyst Tom Loy more confidence,” Loy said of tionally that Notre Dame is worth fourth-best odds of winning the matchup will be everything said class of 2015 quarterback Guyton. “He’s added size. … Now a visit. … You don’t always have Heisman Trophy. viewers could hope for, with two commitment Brandon Wimbush you look at him and you see a guy to sign a kid to make it a win in That’s not bad for a defense highly potent offenses led by dy- has been one of the most impres- that can step in and compete recruiting.” that lost seven starters, an offense namic quarterbacks and talented sive players in the country this for playing time as a freshman. Class of 2016 quarterback Malik that is heavily reliant on previ- receivers facing one another. season, much less the Irish class. He goes from looking like depth Henry announced Wednesday he ously inexperienced sophomores A win would shoot Notre Dame “I wouldn’t say that he’s sur- at the wide-receiver position to will be committing Thursday af- and a quarterback who didn’t closer to the top. It would un- prised me with his performance, a game-changer, potentially a ternoon. Loy, who once thought take a single snap last season. doubtedly pass Arizona State and but Brandon Wimbush has taken difference-maker on offense for Henry would end up at Notre Not many people gave Notre could leapfrog at least one other his game to another level,” said the Irish. He’s been a pleasant Dame, thinks that has changed. Dame a serious shot at beating team, since the victory would be Loy, who covers Notre Dame surprise.” “My guess would be that he’s Florida State, especially at the be- against the country’s No. 9 squad. recruiting for Blue and Gold Among other current Notre going to Florida State at this ginning of the season. In the end, However, a loss would signal Illustrated, part of the 247Sports Dame commitments who could point,” Loy said of Henry’s de- the Irish walked away with their the end of any hopes Notre Dame network. “His overall play as a potentially contribute right away cision. “A lot can change in a first and only loss of the season has of making the playoff. Yes, whole, he’s not only throwing the as freshmen, Loy mentioned week, but it seems like ever since thus far. Arizona State is a quality oppo- ball with arm strength and ball center Tristen Hoge, cornerback Brandon Wimbush committed to But to anyone who watched, nent, so the loss would not be a speed, but he’s throwing the ball Shaun Crawford, receiver C.J. Notre Dame last month, it seems the game was as close as you crazy upset, but it is difficult to so accurate.” Sanders and linebackers Josh like the priority has been to just could come to a victory without imagine a two-loss team outside Wimbush, the No. 4 dual- Barajas, Tevon Coney and Asmar focus on Wimbush going forward actually placing another tally in the SEC West playing for a cham- threat quarterback and No. 63 Bilal. Loy added that three-star and then slow the recruitment of the win column. It was as quality pionship, at least at this point in overall player in the country, ac- cornerback Nick Coleman could 2016.” a loss as any other team in con- the season. cording to 247Sports’ Composite surprise Irish fans. Loy said Notre Dame is also tention for the playoff has had all A win could make the season. A Rankings for the class of 2015, an- Loy has said he could see Notre interested in class of 2016 quar- season. loss would break it. nounced his flip from Penn State Dame taking a class of 25 com- terbacks Jawon Pass and Shea So why is Notre Dame ranked The Irish season is on the line, to Notre Dame on Oct. 7. Many mitments in this recruiting cycle. Patterson. No. 10 in the country, behind and their fate lies in their hands believed the Irish would not He said he doesn’t expect some- seven other one-loss teams? only. It’s time for them to show us land a quarterback in the class one to come from completely off For more on Notre Dame For starters, its strength of if they’re championship material after former commitment and the radar as the end of the season recruiting, check out schedule isn’t as difficult as it or not. five-star prospect Blake Barnett nears and creeps toward National BlueAndGold.com. Email seemed before. Unfortunately for flipped to Alabama in June. Signing Day, but long shots like Andrew Owens at the Irish, opponents who once Contact Mary Green at Barnett is the No. 1 dual-threat cornerbacks Minkah Fitzpatrick [email protected] and seemed formidable — such as [email protected] signal-caller in the country, per and Iman Marshall, safety tell him The Observer sent you. Stanford and Michigan — have The views in this column 247Sports’ Composite Rankings. Marvell Tell and defensive tackle faded into mediocrity. are those of the author and “You compare their numbers Christian Wilkins shouldn’t be Contact Mike Monaco at The defense has given up a not necessarily those of The to their senior season, it looks completely ruled out. [email protected] lot of points lately. Notre Dame Observer. like Wimbush may be the better prospect,” Loy said. “Regardless of what any recruiting [outlet] calls him, he’s a five-star quarter- Follow us on back in my book. He’s arguably the top player at his position in Twitter. 2015. You could say Notre Dame got a huge steal late in the re- cruiting process and a potential difference-maker at the quarter- @ObserverSports back position.” Loy said he has been some- what surprised by the play of Photo courtesy of Blue & Gold Illustrated, 247Sports class of 2015 receiver commit- Class of 2016 five-star quarterback Malik Henry said Wednesday he ment Jalen Guyton this season.