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

Linebackers: A

Linebacker was a major need for the Irish following the conclusion of the 2017 season and they addressed that, signing two four-star inside linebackers, a four-star outside linebacker and a three-star outside backer. Three of those signees are early enrollees and the fourth is the highest-rated at the position in the class.

With all three starting linebackers from 2017 graduation, Notre Dame knocked this recruiting cycle out of the park for the position. Let’s start with the early enrollees.

Four-star inside linebacker Jack Lamb is the fourth-best player at the position in the class and No. 99 overall. He reigns from Temecula, Calif., and has a big frame, standing 6-foot-4 and weighing in at 220 pounds. Enrolling early, he has a good shot at shaking the redshirt in 2018.

Related Story: Notre Dame Football: Projected depth chart after 2018 NSD

Matthew Bauer, the No. 293 overall prospect and 16th-best inside linebacker, also enrolled early as a four-star. He’s a little short than Lamb at 6-foot-2.5, but he’s every bit as big at 222 pounds. He’s aggressive and just the latest top recruit to come from Erie, Penn.

Three-star outside linebacker Ovie Oghoufo not only has an awesome name, but his game is impressive as well. He is an athletic specimen who played just about every position for his high school, but the 6-foot-3, 215-pounder from Farmington, Mich., translates to the defensive side of the ball. He’s the No. 522 prospect and 37th-best outside linebacker in the class. He’s also severely underrated.

Last, but certainly not least, four-star outside linebacker Shayne Simon is one of the best players in the entire 2018 class, not just limited to the position. He’s 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds and the Army All-American is ranked the No. 48 prospect and fifth-best outside backer in the nation. He could be a day one starter despite not enrolling early.