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Notre Dame Football: Grading the Irish’s 2018 recruiting class

By Connor Muldowney

SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 18: (L-R) Jonathan Bonner #55, Jay Hayes #93 and Jerry Tillery #99 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrate a defensive stop on 4th down against the Navy Midshipmen at Notre Dame Stadium on November 18, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Navy 24-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 18: (L-R) Jonathan Bonner #55, Jay Hayes #93 and Jerry Tillery #99 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrate a defensive stop on 4th down against the Navy Midshipmen at Notre Dame Stadium on November 18, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Navy 24-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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SOUTH BEND, IN – NOVEMBER 18: (L-R) Jonathan Bonner #55, Jay Hayes #93 and Jerry Tillery #99 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrate a defensive stop on 4th down against the Navy Midshipmen at Notre Dame Stadium on November 18, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Navy 24-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN – NOVEMBER 18: (L-R) Jonathan Bonner #55, Jay Hayes #93 and Jerry Tillery #99 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrate a defensive stop on 4th down against the Navy Midshipmen at Notre Dame Stadium on November 18, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Navy 24-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Defensive Line: B

Notre Dame landed one of the best defensive line prospects in America in its 2018 class, but the Irish only had two other commitments along the front. That’s enough to leave the Irish with just a ‘B’ grade because outside of top-50 recruit Jayson Ademilola, they didn’t quite bolster that line.

There’s plenty of talent coming back in 2018, so this wasn’t the biggest need, but it’s always nice to add young depth and get these guys into the rotation early on.

Ademilola, a four-star from New Jersey, is the gem of the defensive line in this class. The 6-foot-3, 290-pound defensive tackle is an absolute force and Brian Kelly has to feel good about his future. The Army All-American is ranked the No. 45 prospect and fourth-best defensive tackle in the 2018 class.

Jayson’s brother, Justin Ademilola, may not be as highly-touted, ranked No. 632 in the class and as the 35th-best weak-side defensive end, but he has an opportunity to crack the rotation early. He’s an athletic 6-foot-3, 240-pounder who held 24 offers out of high school before committing to Notre Dame. He’s the only defensive end signee.

The only other defensive tackle who signed with the Irish is Ja’Mion Frankin. The 571st-ranked prospect in the class has a wide frame at 6-foot-1 and 295 pounds, and he has impressive strength.

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