(Photo: Joe Weiser)
The signed letters of intent came in fast and furious this morning and unlike signing days in the past, there was no real drama as the athletes stuck to their commitments, some of which had been made over a year ago. Regarding the scarcity of decommitments in this class, Marcus Freeman commented that he felt that it showed, “it’s a strong class and they’re a close class”. In all Freeman received 23 signed letters this morning, the first official signing day for 2024 incoming freshman.
Class highlight high four star quarterback, CJ Carr is already on campus and is working out with the team during Bowl preparations (he is not eligible to play in the Sun Bowl). During his prep career at Saline High School in Saline, Michigan he was a three year starter and threw for 8135 yards, 78 TDs with 18 interceptions. The 6-3, 200 Carr is the overall 38th ranked prospect in the country. He has been verbally committed to ND since June 9, 2022 and might be considered to be one final program contribution from then offensive coordinator, Tommy Rees. Rees was Carr’s lead recruiter.
The class also includes four other prospects ranked in the top 100 nationally. 6-2, 190 wide receiver Cam Williams out of Glenbard South HS in Glenbard, Illinois, is the overall 49th rated national prospect. Linebacker Kyngston Viliamu-Asa, ranked 68th, turned down offers from Ohio State, USC and Alabama and attended prep powerhouse St. John Bosco in Bellflower, California. Defensive lineman Bryce Young, the son of former Notre Dame star under Lou Holtz and NFL Hall of Fame member Bryant Young, is from Charlotte North Carolina and is ranked 76th rated. Catholic Memorial, West Roxbury, Massachusetts offensive tackle Guerby Lambert at 6-6, 280 is rated at 83rd. Among the many offers Lambert turned down were Ohio State, Alabama and Harvard.
11 members of the class are rated as 4-stars, and 12 are 3-stars as rated by 247 Sports. By position, the group includes four defensive lineman, four offensive lineman, three wide receivers, three linebackers, two running backs, three cornerbacks, two safeties, one tight end and Carr is the only quarterback.
15 of the 23 are expected to enroll early and participate in spring practices. That number is believed to be the highest at ND ever.
The incoming classes rated above the Irish are Georgia at #1, Ohio State #2, Alabama #3, Florida State #4, Texas #5, Miami #6, Oklahoma #7, and Oregon #8. Other highly rated schools of interest include LSU #12, Michigan #16 and USC at #17.