Recruiting Review Of Class 2011 Prospects Part 1 (Offense)

With the recruiting season of the class of 2011 finally signed, sealed and delivered, its time to take a look at the prospects Coach Brian Kelly and his staff assembled. This will be a two part series, first taking a look at the offensive prospects signed followed by the heralded defensive prospect class signed.

When Coach Kelly came to Notre Dame midway through the previous recruiting season, there were some worries over whether he and his largely holdover staff from Cincinnati could recruit on a national level. Since the staff came in midway through the 2010 recruiting season, basing an opinion on that class would be unfair. Coach Kelly and his staff would need to prove it with a full year to review, analyze, and recruit. So lets take a look at the offensive prospects signed in his first full recruiting year.

Quarterback
Everett Golson comes to Notre Dame as an early entree prospect already enrolled and on campus. What Golson lacks in size (6-0 170lbs), he more then makes up with his ability. Golson comes from an offense at Myrtle Beach HS in South Carolina that runs an offense very similar to Coach Kelly's. Golson lead his high school to a state champion this past year. When you look at Golson you might figure him to be a run first type of quarterback in the mold of Denard Robinson from Michigan. That could not be further from the truth. Golson's eyes are always downfield and he only takes off and runs when all receiving options have been exhausted. Golson put up monster passing career numbers in high school with over 100 passing TD's and 10,000 career passing yards.
Year To Contribute (tbd): I believe guessing Golson's year to contribute is one of the hardest things to judge of all the incoming freshman, in that much of it may depend on how current freshman Tommy Rees, Andrew Hendrix, and Luke Massa grow as quarterbacks as well has how Dayne Crist recovers from his injury . I think we will start to learn that in the upcoming spring practices. Lets not forget Rees won 4 consecutive games including the bowl at the end of the 2010 season. How the heralded Andrew Hendrix blossoms this spring will go a long way in determining Golson's year to contribute. If Hendrix continues to show his great potential, I think this obviously will allow for a Golson redshirt. If Hendrix falters, Golson could fly up the depth chart due to him looking like a perfect fit for BK's offense.




Receivers
Davaris Daniels comes to ND from Vernon Hills High School in Illinois. At 6-3 180lbs he will provide good size fo the future ND quarterbacks (whoever that may be). Daniels is the son of current 16 year NFL veteran Phillip Daniels. Daniels brings outstanding jumping ability and playmaking ability to the table. If there is a knock on Daniels it would have to be his protection with the ball in his hand as he runs with it way away from his body. That is something i'm sure the ND coaching staff will correct once he gets on campus. With Michael Floyd entering his final year at ND, the future is bright for the young Daniels!
Year to Contribute (11') : At wide receiver in the 11' season ND will return Floyd, Theo Riddick, TJ Jones, Robby Toma, John Goodman, Daniel Smith, Deion Walker, Austin Collinsworth. From the outside it looks to be a deep receiving core but there have been rumors that Riddick will be moving back to running back and possibility of Austin Collinsworth moving to the secondary. Deion Walker has yet to prove he's a viable receiver option for the Irish. The coaching staff seems high on the future of Daniel Smith. Its now or never for Goodman with Daniels and fellow incoming freshman George Atkinson III arriving with much fanfare. 



George Atkinson III is listed at 6-2 194lbs with elite speed. He is the son of former Oakland Raider great George Atkinson II. The younger Atkinson along with his twin brother Josh come from Granada Hills High School in California. Atkinson primarily played running back in high school but will move to receiver for the Irish. Atkinson who has been timed at 10.5 in the 100 meters, possesses elite speed and could prove to be the deep receiving threat that only comes along to ND once in awhile.
Year To Contribute (11'): Like the aforementioned Davaris Daniels, Atkinson could come in and push for playing time right away. At the minimum i think you could see Atkinson play a major special teams role as possible a return man. How he adapts to being a college receiver after being a high school running back ala Golden Tate, will determine how quickly he moves into the WR rotation.



Tight End
Ben Koyack was one of the first commitments to the class of 2011. Koyack is listed at 6-5 230lbs and hails from Oil City HS in Pennsylvania. Many forget because Koyack was such an early commit to ND that he is one of the top TE's in the nation. Listed as a 5 star #1 Tight End by Scout, and a 4 star #7 Tight End by Rivals. Koyack personally reminds me of current ND tight end Tyler Eifert in that he looks like an overgrown wide receiver. Koyack possesses great hands.
Year To Contribute (12'): Notre Dame loses all world tight end Kyle Rudolph to the NFL draft, but returns Tyler Eifert, Mike Ragone (5th year), Jake Golic, Alex Welch (redshirt) so i don't think its completely necessary for Koyack to see the field this year barring injuries. A year in the weight room with Coach Longo can only do good for Koyack. Coming back in 12' stronger and possibly even faster with four years of eligibility will be a big bonus for the Irish.



Running Back
Cam McDaniel arrives to the Class of 2011 as probably the most underated prospects in the class. McDaniel (5-11 192lbs) hails from Coppell Texas and was thought by many to be a throw-in to try and lure his teammate and former ND commit Bennett Okotcha. McDaniel is a kid that ran for 1900+ yards and 32 tds his senior year alone. Anybody that knows football knows that if you run for 1900+ yards in the state of Texas in high school, you aren't too shabby. McDaniel brings a lot of athleticism to the table and if things don't work at at RB for the Irish, he may have a future at WR or DB. His body type reminds me of current ND freshman Austin Collinsworth.
Year To Contribute (12'): I don't think ND will be a situation this upcoming season where they have to play soo many freshman on special teams. I think McDaniel makes his mark as a redshirt in 12' on special teams.



Offensive Line
Matt Hegarty is the most highly touted of the incoming freshman offensive lineman. Hegarty is listed at 6-5 265lbs and comes from Aztec, NM. He was the first offensive lineman to commit to the Irish this year but by no means was it without competition for the 4 star recruit. He has very good feet and will literally be able to play any of the offensive line positions at ND because of his athletic ability. Hegarty had offers from over 20 schools including perennial powers Auburn, Florida State, LSU, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, USC.
Year To Contribute (12'): Offensive line is one of the positions where redshirting is very important, if possible, because of the size and strength difference between high school and college. Hegarty is a bit undersized right now but nothing one year in the Notre Dame weight room and training table can't fix.



Nick Martin is the younger brother of current starting left tackle Zach Martin. Listed at 6-5 260lbs, Martin comes from Bishop Chatard HS in Indianapolis, IN. Martin was committed to University of Kentucky up until the second week of January when he switched his pledge to join his brother in South Bend. Martin plays with an intensity and nasty streak that will be a welcome addition.
Year To Contribute (12'): Martin is in a very similar situation to fellow freshman o-line recruit Matt Hegarty in that they are currently a bit undersized and could use a year in the weight room. Whether its at offensive guard, or offensive tackle , Martin has a bright future ahead.



Conor Hanratty is the son of former Notre Dame great quarterback Terry Hanratty that led the Irish to the national championship in 1966. The younger Hanratty is listed at 6-4 and 305lbs hails from New Canaan, CT. Hanratty is very strong with a 315lb bench press. Played right tackle in high school, he may likely be a better guard or center prospect where his strength will be an asset.
Year To Contribute (13'): The coaching staff may likely want to redshirt Hanratty along with the rest of the offensive lineman barring any emergencies.



Troy Niklas comes from powerful Servite High School in Anaheim, CA. Servite reached the state championship game in 2010 before losing to Concord De La Salle. Servite HS has produced former Notre Dame players Steve Beurlein and Kurt Vollers. Niklas is listed at 6-6 250lbs and listed here at offensive line, but his future could be at o-line, defensive end, or possibly even tight end. Niklas comes from parents that both attended USC and his uncle is former USC and NFL Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews. Niklas played his junior year at tight end and defensive line, but switched to offensive guard and defensive line his senior. He was the last player in the Class of 2011 to commit to the Irish and capped off a great class.
Year To Contribute (12'): Since Niklas is such a good athlete for his size, that makes him soo hard to peg on which position he will finally land at for the Irish. I have him at offensive line since i believe his big frame can handle another 40lbs easy and having a possible offensive tackle prospect that big and yet that athletic must have the Irish coaches salivating.

Kicker/Punter
Kyle Brindza What a leg this kid has! Brindza is an early entree player already enrolled and in classes at ND, so he will be available at spring practice. He is listed at 6-1 195lbs from Canton Michigan. One of the sore spots in the Irish kicking game for the last decade has been the ability of any of the kickers to routinely produce touchbacks on kickoffs. If the below video shows anything, its that Brindza can do it with relative ease. Brindza is also an accomplished punter and will be entering the mix there as well to push Ben Turk who has had his up and down moments.
Year To Contribute (11'): At the bare minimum i foresee Brindza being the kickoff specialist for ND this year based on his leg strength alone. ND has Lou Groza finalist (awarded to top kicker in the nation) David Ruffer returning as the regular kicker and the walk-on was a pleasant suprise for all Irish fans this year. Brindza comes in as the top kicker prospect at ND since Nick Setta.