Clemson vs. Notre Dame: ACC Championship Recruiting Comparison
For the second time in six weeks, Clemson and Notre Dame will face off this weekend in Charlotte in the biggest ACC Championship Game to date.
These are two teams that recruit at a high level year in and year out, so let's take a look at how they measure up against one another using each teams most recent depth chart and the 247 Composite Recruiting Rankings.
Quarterback:
| Player | Class/Stars | Position Rank | Overall Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
Trevor Lawrence (Clemson) | 2018 5* | 1 | 1 (No. 16 All-Time) |
Ian Book (Notre Dame) | 2016 3* | 20 | 517 |
Lawrence is back for this one and as well as D.J. Uiagalelei played in the double overtime loss, having their three-year starter back makes a huge difference for Clemson. The quarterback was a non-factor in the running game last time and that will likely not be the case in the rematch. While Book is playing the best football of his career, he still isn't Trevor Lawrence.
Advantage: Clemson
Running Back:
| Player | Class/Stars | Position Rank | Overall Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
Travis Etienne (Clemson) | 2017 4* | 15 | 213 |
Kyren Williams (Notre Dame) | 2019 4* | 24 | 367 |
These are two of the best running backs in the country this season and both will be major focal points of the opposing defense. After being completely shut down in the first game, Etienne needs to be a factor in this one. The best players shine on the biggest stages and that is exactly what the Tigers will be playing on this weekend. He hasn't had the kind of season most thought he would, but a big game on Saturday could change all that.
Advantage: Clemson (Slight)
Wide Receiver:
| Player | Class/Stars | Position Rank | Overall Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
E.J. Williams. (Clemson) | 2020 4* | 13 | 69 |
Cornell Powell | 2016 4* | 30 | 159 |
Amari Rodgers | 2017 4* | 16 | 117 |
Javon McKinley (Notre Dame) | 2016 4* | 18 | 114 |
Ben Skowronek | 2018 4* | 118 | 772 |
Avery Davis | 2017 4* | 8 (Dual QB) | 246 |
The Clemson receiver group has been ravaged by injuries this season but that has not stopped Powell and Rodgers from both having career years. Both had big nights in the first game in South Bend and both will need to step up again. The Tigers are hopeful that Frank Ladson Jr will be back for this one too. Do not discount these Notre Dame receivers though. They can make plays when their number is called as was the case in South Bend back in November.
Advantage: Clemson
Tight End:
| Player | Class/Stars | Position Rank | Overall Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
Braden Galloway (Clemson) | 2018 3* | 41 | 858 |
Brock Wright (Notre Dame) | 2017 4* | 2 | 71 |
While the Tigers have gotten more production from the tight end position this season, it has been hit and miss at times. However, Notre Dame's second leading pass catcher this season is five-star freshman Michael Mayer, and he isn't even at the the top of the depth chart. The Irish absolutely lean on their ground game but when they do throw it they like to feature the tight ends and they have multiple players they can run out there at the position, two of those being former blue-chip players.
Advantage: Notre Dame
Offensive Line:
| Player | Class/Stars | Position Rank | Overall Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
LT Jackson Carman (Clemson) | 2018 5* | 1 | 17 |
LG Matt Bockhorst | 2017 4* | 17 | 240 |
C Cade Stewart | 2016 3* | 163 | 2021 |
RG Will Putnam | 2019 4* | 5 | 101 |
LT Jordan McFadden | 2018 3* | 66 | 819 |
LT Liam Eichenberg (Notre Dame) | 2016 4* | 7 | 80 |
LG Aaron Banks | 2017 4* | 17 | 166 |
C Zeke Correll | 2019 4* | 3 | 95 |
RG Josh Lugg | 2017 4* | 15 | 120 |
RT Robert Hainsey | 2017 4* | 5 | 84 |
The Irish are without their starting center and right guard, but they have recruited so well along the offensive line that they can just plug in another former blue-chip player at each position. Highly ranked blue-chip players at that. While they might lose some experience, this still one of the best offensive lines in the country.
Advantage: Notre Dame
Defensive Line:
| Player | Class/Stars | Position Rank | Overall Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
DE K.J. Henry (Clemson) | 2018 5* | 3 | 14 |
DT Tyler Davis | 2019 4* | 12 | 137 |
DT Bryan Bresee | 2020 5* | 1 | 1 |
DE Myles Murphy | 2020 5* | 1 | 7 |
DE Daelin Hayes (Notre Dame) | 2016 4* | 10 | 133 |
DT Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa | 2017 3* | 18 | 472 |
NG Kurt Hinish | 2017 3* | 42 | 519 |
DE Adetokunbo Ogundeji | 2016 3* | 40 | 652 |
These are two of the best defensive fronts in the country. They both are extremely hard to run against and both can get after the passer. The Tigers were without Tyler Davis in the first game and having him back is critical to the Tigers success in attempting to slow down the Notre Dame ground game.
Advantage: Clemson
Linebackers:
| Player | Class/Stars | Position Rank | Overall Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
SAM Mike Jones Jr (Clemson) | 2018 4* | 15 | 210 |
MIKE James Sklaski | 2016 3* | 44 | 680 |
WILL Baylon Spector | 2017 3* | 45 | 609 |
BLB Shayne Simon (Notre Dame) | 2018 4* | 6 | 90 |
MLB Drew White | 2017 3* | 41 | 977 |
ROV Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah | 2017 3* | 31 (ATH) | 456 |
Clemson was without Skalski and Jones the first time around and their absences were indeed felt. Their return should help bolster the Tigers run defense. These Notre Dame linebackers are pretty good players too and are a big part of why the Irish have been so good against the run. It's pretty safe to say that both of these groups have outplayed their recruiting rankings.
Advantage: Push
Secondary:
| Position | Class/Stars | Position Rank | Overall Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
CB Derion Kendrick (Clemson) | 2018 5* | 4 (WR) | 26 |
SS Lannden Zanders | 2019 3* | 61 | 781 |
FS Nolan Turner | 2016 | N/A | N/A |
CB Andrew Booth Jr | 2019 5* | 2 | 23 |
CB Nick McCloud (Notre Dame) | 2016 3* | 80 | 865 |
SS Shaun Crawford | 2015 4* | 14 | 112 |
FS Kyle Hamilton | 2019 4* | 5 | 60 |
CB Clarence Lewis | 2020 3* | 58 | 727 |
These are two really good secondary's. The backend of the Clemson defense seems to get better with each passing week and has become a strength on that side of the ball. The Notre Dame secondary has been really good all season long and their safeties are as good as they come. They are having to start Clarence Lewis, a true freshman, at one of the corner spots though. Expect the Tigers to test him early and often.
Advantage: Push
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