A look back at the 2022 Notre Dame recruiting class, the program’s biggest hits, and some of their worst misses
There is a ton of hype around the Notre Dame football program right now under head coach Marcus Freeman. With everything that he has accomplished on the field, that excitement is easy to understand. What is happening behind the scenes, however, is even more exciting. This Fighting Irish staff continues to add a ton of […]
There is a ton of hype around the Notre Dame football program right now under head coach Marcus Freeman. With everything that he has accomplished on the field, that excitement is easy to understand. What is happening behind the scenes, however, is even more exciting. This Fighting Irish staff continues to add a ton of talent to the roster, both in terms of high school recruiting and the Transfer Portal.
At the end of the day, raw talent doesn't matter if you can't develop it as a staff. Coach Freeman and his staff have done a great job turning talented football players into good ones. That includes the 2022 recruiting class, which were freshmen during Coach Freeman's first season as the head coach. That is technically Brian Kelly's last recruiting class before he left for LSU, and when you dive into it, it is exactly what you would expect.
Coach Kelly had moments as a good recruiter, but routinely cut corners while with Notre Dame. There was some good with that 2022 class, but a lot more that left you wanting a lot more. Here are the hits, the misses, and players that the jury is still out on from that group.
Biggest Hits
CB Benjamin Morrison
If not for his season-ending hip injury this past fall, there was a decent chance that Morrison could have ended up being selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Arizona native still managed to go in the second round to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers despite those durability concerns. Morrison ended his career with nine interceptions and 18 pass breakups.
RB Jadarian Price
If not for the presence of superstar Jeremiyah Love, Price would probably be considered one of the top running backs in all of college football. Price managed to rush for 746 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 6.2 yards per carry. He is a big play threat who is a threat to score a touchdown every time he touches the football.
OT Aamil Wagner
After serving as a backup for multiple seasons, Wagner finally got his opportunity to start at right tackle last season. Adding, and maintaining weight, has been a bit difficult for Wagner. Even though he played at 291 pounds last season, the Ohio native still managed to become a steadying force up front for the Fighting Irish last season. Wagner is expected to be one of the best in the country in 2025.
OG Billy Schrauth
When Schrauth has been healthy, he has become a rock-solid starter inside at guard. There is still more upside to tap into, but there is no questioning that Schrauth is a good player. If he takes a big step in 2025, this has a chance to be a massive hit. The talent is clearly there.
DT Donovan Hinish
Hinish was viewed as mostly an afterthought in the 2022 recruiting class, and many wondered if this was a handout due to his older brother Kurt. The 6-2, 280-pound defensive tackle has defied the odds, and has developed into a really nice rotational player for the Irish. He finished the 2024 season with 35 total tackles, five tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks. This has been a great example of development.
Biggest Misses
WR Tobias Merriweather
The Washington native was once considered to be the future of the Notre Dame wide receiver group. Inconsistency, drop issues, and a lack of confidence ruined his career, and Merriweather opted to transfer to Cal last offseason. After just one season, the 6-4, 205-pound pass catcher was once again on the move. He is set to play for the Utah Utes this season.
EDGE Tyson Ford
During his time with the Fighting Irish, Ford worked between defensive end and defensive tackle. He just never found a consistent home, or footing to develop quickly enough. Ford left the program this offseason, and is now continuing his career with the Cal Golden Bears. The 6-5, 301-pound defender is expecting to compete inside for Cal.
EDGE Aiden Gobaira
Gobaira went to Notre Dame with a ton of hype, but unfortunately, a string of injuries derailed his career in a big way. The Virginia native opted for the Transfer Portal this offseason, and he ended up with James Madison. The 6-5, 249-pound pass rusher still has some upside to tap into, but it just didn't get tapped into while he was in South Bend.
To be determined
OC Ashton Craig
Craig has developed into the starting center for Notre Dame, so you can argue is already a hit for the program. Just how good Craig is, however, is still a bit of a question mark. He has only started six games so far due to a season-ending injury last year. The jury is still a bit out on just how good Craig is.
From a recruiting perspective, many considered Angeli a three-star player. He performed well for Notre Dame when pressed into duty, so he definitely wasn't anything close to a bust. Just how much of a hit he is will be dependent on how he plays at Syracuse. For many, Angeli has already outplayed his recruiting hype.
LB Jaylen Sneed
Sneed has been a heavy part of the rotation over the last couple of years, especially in 2024. There have been positive signs (51 total tackles, six TFLs, 2.5 sacks last season) but Sneed hasn't quite lived up to the borderline five-star billing he had coming out of South Carolina. He has put on a substantial amount of weight coming into the fall, so many are hoping for a breakout.
Notre Dame’s pursuit of dynamic Lone Star pass catcher heating up very quickly after recent recruiting shakeup
Things are heating up quickly
