Notre Dame Big Board: 2023 Offensive Commits
A staff overhaul on offense has put the Notre Dame offense behind its defense when it comes to putting the 2023 class together. Now that the staff is in place the Irish coaches are making moves on the offensive class.
On this page you'll find my analysis, grade and ranking for each Notre Dame commit on offense.
NOTRE DAME COMMITS - OFFENSE (13)
1. WR Braylon James - 6-3, 185, Round Rock (Texas) Stony Point
2. WR Jaden Greathouse - 6-2, 210, Austin (Texas) Westlake
3. OL Charles Jagusah - 6-6, 295, Rock Island (Ill.) Alleman Catholic
4. RB Jeremiyah Love - 6-1, 195, St. Louis (Mo.) Christian Brothers
5. QB Kenny Minchey - 6-2, 205, Hendersonville (Tenn.) Pope John Paul II
6. RB/WR Dylan Edwards - 5-9, 165, Derby (Kan.) High School
7. WR Rico Flores Jr. - 6-1, 190, Folsom (Calif.) High School
8. OL Sullivan Absher - 6-7, 285, Belmont (N.C.) South Point
9. TE Cooper Flanagan - 6-5, 240, Concord (Calif.) De La Salle
10. RB Jayden Limar - 5-11, 190, Lake Stevens (Wash.) High School
11. OL Sam Pendleton - 6-4, 305, Pfafftown (N.C.) Ronald Reagan
12. OL Joe Otting - 6-4, 270, Topeka (Kan.) Hayden
As more players commit they will be added to this page. Current rankings are based off junior film. New rankings will come out after the senior seasons are complete.
Analysis of each 2023 offensive commit:
1. BRAYLON JAMES, WIDE RECEIVER
Hometown/High School: Round Rock, Texas/Stony Point
Height/Weight: 6-3, 185
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 100 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 5.0
Breaking down his game, the first thing that stands out is his length. He's listed at 6-3, but his arm length is impressive and he provides quarterbacks with a big target thanks to his wide catch radius. On top of having top-notch length, James also shows excellent focus and body control in the pass game, which helps project him into an elite contested catch player at the next level. James is still learning the finer points of the position, and at times that impacts his timing, but the tools are special as a pass catcher.
James has emerging speed, and as he's gotten older his speed has really taken off. This winter he ran an electronically timed 4.47 and also jumped 38.4 inches on the vertical and had a broad jump of 130.9 inches. Those are elite jumping numbers and show big-time explosiveness. That 4.47 is impressive enough, but with those jumping numbers you can expect James to get faster and faster as he physically matures.
That speed flashes on film for James, and that's a big reason he earned a 5.0-star upside grade from me. He's tall, he's long, he is really fast and he's a strong all-around athlete that also shows impressive foot quickness and loose hips.
The point is that he has all the tools to be a home run threat in college, and he has all the physical tools needed to develop into a strong route runner. James just need more coaching and he needs nuance in his game. He's a wide receivers coach's dream because he has so much potential, he just needs that talent to be harnessed. That's why Notre Dame made James such a huge priority in this class and why landing him is so impactful.
2. JADEN GREATHOUSE, WIDE RECEIVER
Hometown/High School: Austin, Texas/Westlake
Height/Weight: 6-2, 210
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 100 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 5.0
Greathouse has a very mature game. His football IQ is exceptional both as a route runner and with the ball in his hands, which makes him more effective after the catch than you'd expect from a guy who is 6-2 and 210 pounds and isn't a truly elite athlete. Greathouse knows how to get open in every way. That means he knows how to win at the line, to use body language to manipulate defenders and to use his stem to gain an advantage.
Greathouse also has a great feel for using his post-break movements to gain separation and to get open. He knows how to leverage his body to shield defenders away from the ball and he knows how to get free against the zone. The Westlake star is a very strong player for his age. He's a dominant blocker already, but as I mentioned he can use his body to clear the defender away from the ball. Greathouse shows impressive timing as a pass catcher and he shows top-notch body control when the ball is in the air.
All of what I wrote above is what I've always felt about Greathouse. Where I have grown to appreciate his game even more, and why he is now a Top 100 player with a five-star upside grade on my board is his athleticism and athletic potential. Greathouse isn't the finished product athletically that I initially thought him to be, and his athleticism is better than my initial feel.
He isn't a burner, but Greathouse has enough speed to get down the field. He reminds me a bit of Javon McKinley in this regard, but Greathouse shows quicker feet and looser hips as a route runner and with the ball in his hands. This makes him a precise route runner, and his athleticism projects much better to the next level than I initially gave him credit for.
3. CHARLES JAGUSAH, OFFENSIVE LINE
Hometown/High School: Rock Island, Ill./Alleman Catholic
Height/Weight: 6-6, 295
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 100 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 5.0
Looking at Jagusah's skillset, the first thing you notice is his unique combination of size and power. Jagusah is a massive young man that is listed at 6-6 and 295 pounds. He's not just big; Jagusah is a physical football player that punishes his high school talent, and he's just getting started. The Alleman standout has extremely powerful hands, he has a strong lower body and he's an excellent finisher, something you'd expect from a high school wrestler who finished his junior season with a perfect 41-0 record and a state championship.
Jagusah is a quality athlete as well, one capable of playing on the edge and in space. He possesses quick feet, good lateral movement abilities and his burst off the line can be quite impressive when his technique is correct. You can see his athleticism and quickness on the wrestling mat and when he's playing defense, where his raw talent takes over. Those skills project well to being a high quality edge blocker that could thrive at right tackle, or an athletic, powerful, dominant guard.
Right now, Jagusah gets by on raw talent, power and athleticism. He's very much a work in progress from a technique standpoint due to losing a year because of Covid and dealing with a coaching change. His footwork is inconsistent, he needs to use his hands better and he needs to get more bend. Athletically he has no issue bending, it's a technical issue.
As he learns to play with more clean technique his game is going to explode, which is why he has one of the highest ceilings of any lineman in the country. Jagusah has all the tools you want: great size, great power, very good quickness off the ball, he's agile, he's flexible, he has fast hands. He just needs refinement. That refinement will determine if Jagusah ends up ranked as a five-star recruit or just hangs around as a Top 50-75 prospect, but more importantly it will determine he can turn his potential into dominant play as a college blocker.
4. JEREMIYAH LOVE, RUNNING BACK
Hometown/High School: St. Louis, Mo./Christian Brothers
Height/Weight: 6-1, 195
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 100 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5
Love is an explosive athlete as a runner and pass catcher. Even while battling some minor lower body injuries as a junior, Love has shown the ability to be a home run hitter throughout his career. His initial burst is quite good, but his long speed really separates him from other backs.
Love is a smooth and fluid athlete that shows excellent balance as a runner. He can effectively use his burst and speed to be an impact one-cut runner, but what makes Love more like Prosise than another long Notre Dame running back (Josh Adams) is that Love can jump cut and can also make defenders miss in space. He can make quick open field cuts, quickly change direction and they get right back to full speed.
The Christian Brothers star is still learning the running back position after spending most of his early career playing defensive back. He shows good instincts as a runner, but with more experience you'll see his timing get better, his pad level will get better and he'll improve his ability to use his stiff arm.
Where I love his game is the versatility. Love is a legit pass catcher out of the backfield. He's shown himself to be a weapon on downfield routes out of the backfield, but his length, speed and hands also give coaches the opportunity to line him up in the slot, or even outside, and allow him to run routes against matchups that work in his favor. This kind of versatility allows Notre Dame to use him with other backs on the field at the same time, something we've seen the Irish do more and more this season. That's why his versatility is so important, as it gives the staff a chance to get more snaps for the backs.
5. KENNY MINCHEY, QUARTERBACK
Hometown/High School: Hendersonville, Tenn./Pope John Paul II
Height/Weight: 6-2, 205
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 100 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5
Minchey is an effortless thrower with some of the best lower body mechanics in the class. Far too many young quarterbacks are arm throwers, but Minchey uses his base extremely well. That allows him to limit the exertion he needs with his arm, which helps Minchey get the ball out quickly, with power and more importantly with accuracy. His ball placement is exceptional, and his anticipation as a passer is top notch.
Minchey shows the ability to throw with different arm angles, but his release point is remains consistent no matter where the ball comes out from an arm angle standpoint. Being able to show good ball placement off different platforms is vitally important, and it's part of the reason the Notre Dame screen game and quick perimeter throws hasn't been as good in recent seasons because the Irish quarterbacks aren't able to get this done as effectively.
The Pope standout has a very mature game, showing great anticipation with the ability to throw his wideouts open. This requires confidence and the ability to get the ball out quickly. Minchey also shows the ability to change speeds, but even when he throws with touch the ball gets up and down quickly.
Minchey isn't really a runner in the traditional sense, but he's a quality athlete that can do damage with his legs when he needs to. When he starts moving around he likes to use his legs to buy time to throw, but he can also scramble for quality gains and Rees will be able to run some read zone with him at the next level.
6. DYLAN EWARDS, RUNNING BACK/WIDE RECEIVER
Hometown/High School: Derby, Kan./Derby
Height/Weight: 5-9, 165
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 200 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5
Notre Dame is recruiting Edwards to be an all-around player on offense, with a focus on being a slot receiver and return man. He can do work out of the backfield, but he'll be a perimeter player that can also do things in the backfield.
Edwards' first step is exceptional and he also possesses excellent acceleration. That combination is what makes him one of the most explosive offensive players in the entire country. On top of having great speed, Edwards is also an elusive player that can make cuts and then immediately get back to top speed.
The Derby standout isn't just a speed player, he's also an instinctive player with a good feel for the game. Edwards shows good patience as a runner, one that is willing to let the blocking set up before he explodes through the hole. He can be crafty as a runner when he needs to, and his ability to find the second level cuts from the backfield is impressive.
Edwards doesn't catch the ball much, but he has shown an ability to make all the grabs needed to attack teams in the screen game, quick game and intermediate game. There's only one deep catch on his film, but he tracked the ball well and make a contested catch, which was impressive. He'll need to learn some of the nuances of the wide receiver position, but those are easy to teach with a player that possesses his combination of speed, agility and flexibility.
7. RICO FLORES JR, WIDE RECEIVER
Hometown/High School: Folsom, Calif./Folsom
Height/Weight: 6-1, 190
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 200 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5
The 6-1, 190-pound receiver is one of the most polished receivers in this class. He's clean off the line, which allows him to maximize his speed. Even as a junior he showed a great feel for using his stem to get into proper leverage and he does a great job using his body at the top of end of routes to manipulate defenders. Flores also shows an impressive ability to adjust his speed when it's needed to set a defender up.
Flores doesn't have any athletic traits that are elite, but he's a quality all-around athlete, which combines nicely with his technical prowess to make him highly effective. He has impressive balance and agility, and he shows much-needed flexibility. Each of these traits combine together to make Flores a strong route runner. His ability to get off the line quickly and his precision as a route runner allows Flores to maximize his speed and makes him a big play threat.
The Folsom standout shows a great feet for getting open. Not only is he able to use his route technique and quickness to get good separation out of breaks, Flores shows a great feel for finding soft spots in the defense when he is working against zone coverages.
Flores tracks the deep ball extremely well. He's strong at the catch point, he has strong hands and he attacks the football when it's in the air. His catch radius is above average, but his hand speed and strength allows him to make tough catches.
8. SULLIVAN ABSHER, OFFENSIVE LINE
Hometown/High School: Belmont, N.C./South Point
Height/Weight: 6-7, 285
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 200 caliber recruit)
Upside Grade: 4.5
Absher is a very physical, punishing blocker who thrives in the trenches as a run blocker. Absher is one of the more punishing blockers in this class, and he seems to put great pride on burying defenders. At 6-6 to 6-7 with long arms and broad shoulders, Absher has plenty of length for the edge and projects as a power right tackle.
Despite being so tall, Absher shows a unique ability to play with strong pad level. He plays in a triple option offense, and that has resulted in him learning to really keep his pads low and driving off the line with more of a flat back, which helps Absher come off the line with force as a run blocker. Combine that with Absher's natural strength and lower body power the end result is him being a dominant run blocker. Absher explodes off the ball and drives his feet through contact as well as any blocker in the country. He needs to keep filling out and adding lower body strength, and when that comes his ability to dominate the run game will translate well to the college game.
Athletically, Absher shows a strong burst off the line, but more importantly he shows the balance, agility and flexibility to move laterally and change direction. His ability to work to the second level is impressive and plays with an impressive understanding of angles, which partly comes from playing in an option offense.
We see very, very little of Absher as a pass blocker due to him playing in a triple option offense, so we don't get to see the whole tackle repertoire. There is some projection there as a tackle, but his combination of athletic talent, length and punch lead me to believe he can thrive on the edge. If not, what makes Absher such an important pickup is he grades out just as high as a future guard, especially considering his rare ability to play so low for such a taller player. Having a guy who projects as a starting caliber lineman for at least three spots is rare and very important.
9. COOPER FLANAGAN, TIGHT END
Hometown/High School: Concord, Calif./De La Salle
Height/Weight: 6-5, 240
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 200 caliber recruit)
Upside Grade: 4.5
Flanagan is a bit of a throwback, or traditional tight end in that he's big, a strong run blocker and a guy who does more damage on the short to intermediate zones.
At 6-5 and 230 pounds he already has outstanding size for a tight end. He plays with good pad level in the run game, works his feet through contact and he shows good power for a young player. His initial punch is strong, but he needs to learn to strike more effectively off the ball. With more growth and technical improvement he has a chance to develop into a strong run blocker.
Flanagan isn't a vertical threat like many "modern" tight ends, but he comes off the line well and quickly get into the seams. The De La Salle standout is a quality route runner that shows a good feel for finding soft spots in the zone and he's sharp getting in and out of his cuts. He'll continue developing as a route runner and it will make him an even more effective pass game weapon.
His ball skills and hands are impressive, and Flanagan's size and length gives him a great catch radius. In the Notre Dame offense he'll first fit into the attached tight end spot, where he can thrive in the run game and in the middle of the field. He's a good enough route runner to do damage in the slot, but to become more impactful in that part of the game he'll need to gain a bit more burst, something that could certainly happen when you consider that Flanagan is still young and growing into his body.
10. JAYDEN LIMAR, RUNNING BACK
Hometown/High School: Lake Stevens, Wash./Lake Stevens
Height/Weight: 5-11, 190
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 250 caliber recruit)
Upside Grade: 4.5
At 5-11 and 190 pounds, Limar is a well-built running back with a strong lower body and a cut upper body. He has room to add a bit more weight, but he's already developed well for the position. Limar runs in a shotgun heavy offense and all the reads he'll need to make in college he makes to some degree at the prep level. He's a one-cut runner behind the line, and Limar shows good patience when he needs to and he can put his foot in the ground and explode vertically when he needs to.
Once he gets in space, Limar shows the suddenness, balance and agility to make defenders miss. This is an area where improved lower body strength will make him even more effective, as it will allow him to do even more damage after contact.
Limar shows an impressive initial burst on film, but his long speed looks similar to that of Kyren Williams. Clearly Williams had enough speed to make big plays, but Limar has posted some impressive times this offseason, so there's a chance we'll see him even faster in the fall. If Limar shows better long speed as a senior his grade will take a big jump.
What makes Limar an attractive player is his potential in the pass game. He's not only effective out of the backfield in traditional running back concepts, he has the ability to line up in the slow and do damage. Limar has good route running potential, he tracks the deep ball well, he shows good body control and he catches the ball like a receiver.
11. SAM PENDLETON, OFFENSIVE LINE
Hometown/High School: Pfafftown, N.C./Ronald Reagan
Height/Weight: 6-4, 305
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 250 caliber recruit)
Upside Grade: 4.5
The first thing that stands out about Pendleton on film is his power. This is a young man with extremely powerful hands. In fact, he has as good of a punch as about any lineman in the country.
Pendleton shows good lower body strength and he explodes off the ball. Pendleton does a great job driving his feet and hips through contact. That adds to his power and makes him a punishing blocker at the prep level. Pendleton also projects well to the next level, especially as he cleans up a few technical issues that he has.
Pendleton shows good foot quickness for a bigger, power player but he's more of a short-area player, which is why he projects to move inside. The Reagan standout is a fundamentally sound football player that does a good job keeping his pads low and his hips square to the line.
Just where Pendleton ends up position wise remains to be seen. Right now Pendleton is projected as a guard, but his combination of strong hands, fast hands and quick feet also project very well to center.
12. CHRISTOPHER TEREK, OFFENSIVE LINE
Hometown/High School: Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West
Height/Weight: 6-6, 305
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 250 caliber recruit)
Upside Grade: 4.5
Terek is a right tackle in high school but he projects as an interior player at the next level. My understanding is that Notre Dame is recruiting him as an interior player, and we know Harry Hiestand likes long tackle bodies for the interior. Terek certainly fits that mold, so it makes sense why the Irish like him.
On top of that, Terek has other traits that Hiestand loves, with the main being a lot of power. He's a strong young blocker that does a good job playing with pad level for a young 6-6 player. These traits combine with his size to make Terek a really impressive mover in the run game. He drives his feet through contact and works well to the second level, plus he's a strong, strong finisher in the run game. Overall he's a very sound football player that uses his hands well in all facets.
Terek is more of a guard because of his style of play, he's also an athlete you want more in tight spaces instead of on the edge. Inside his foot quickness plays well, as it allows him to play in short areas and limits his need to play with range and it limits the fact he isn't the most twitchy offensive line prospect.
13. JOE OTTING, OFFENSIVE LINE
Hometown/High School: Topeka, Kan./Hayden
Height/Weight: 6-4, 270
IB Grade: 3.5 (Top 350 caliber recruit)
Upside Grade: 4.5
What made Notre Dame push so hard for Otting is his unique combination of athleticism and pop. Otting is one of the quickest interior players in the country. He fires off the ball, keeps his pads low and he's incredibly effective in space. He'll need to clean up his technique on pulls and traps, but his quickness in both areas is impressive.
Otting shows very good punch for a player that weighs just 260 pounds. He has heavy hands and his movement power is most impressive. Otting does a good job getting extension with his hands. Otting shows the ability to drive and bury defenders, but it's against smaller players. It doesn't project yet, but if he adds more weight room strength and size you'll see his ability to play physical football take off.
Although he plays guard in high school, Otting projects extremely well to center thanks to those traits. He stays low coming off, he shows fast hands and that punch will allow him to snap and strike effectively. The center in the Notre Dame offense has to be good getting to the second level, and Otting certainly fits that mold. Other than size, which matters, he has all the tools needed to thrive at center.
Otting has a lower current grade (3.5-star) because of the questions about his size, but his upside (4.5) is quite high. He doesn't have the length that Joe Alt possessed, but he has very similar floor-to-ceiling projections.
UPSIDE RANKING
Here is how I rank each player from an upside standpoint:
1. Charles Jagusah, OL - 5.0
2. Braylon James, WR - 5.0
3. Jaden Greathouse, WR - 5.0
4. Sullivan Absher, OL - 4.5
5. Jeremiyah Love, RB - 4.5
6. Dylan Edwards, RB/WR - 4.5
7. Joe Otting, OL - 4.5
8. Rico Flores Jr., WR - 4.5
9. Jayden Limar, RB - 4.5
10. Sam Pendleton, OL - 4.5
11. Cooper Flanagan, TE - 4.5
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Notre Dame 2023 Commits Board - Offense
Notre Dame 2023 Commits Board - Defense
Notre Dame 2023 Scholarship Offers
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Ranking The 2022 Signees - Offense
Ranking The 2022 Signees - Defense
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