Saturday Blitz
Fansided

Notre Dame football: Grading the Irish’s 2023 recruiting class

By Connor Muldowney

Dec 30, 2022; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman reacts after a touchdown during the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the 2022 Gator Bowl at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2022; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman reacts after a touchdown during the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the 2022 Gator Bowl at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 7
Next
Westlake wide receiver Jaden Greathouse (9) celebrates winning the Class 6A Division 2 State Championship against Guyer at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Dec. 18, 2021. Westlake defeated Guyer 40-21.Greathouse
Westlake wide receiver Jaden Greathouse (9) celebrates winning the Class 6A Division 2 State Championship against Guyer at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Dec. 18, 2021. Westlake defeated Guyer 40-21.Greathouse /

Receivers/Tight ends: A+

OK, you know how I’m high on both the defensive backs and linebackers? Well, I’m even higher on Notre Dame’s receiver and tight end class.

Marcus Freeman absolutely knocked this group out of the park.

It’s been a few years since Notre Dame had a true No. 1 receiver and both Braylon James and Jaden Greathouse can become that. Both are four-stars ranked in the top 150 in the 2023 class and they’re also enrolled early. I wouldn’t be shocked to see them climb into the two-deep next season to help out the passing attack with Michael Mayer moving on along with Avery Davis.

James is the No. 136 prospect while Greathouse is No. 138. They’re the 22nd and 23rd-best receivers in the class, respectively.

And then there’s Rico Flores, a four-star from California who’s also enrolled early and ranked No. 222 in the nation.

As if that wasn’t enough, three-star Kaleb Smith looks like an underrated wideout at No. 539 in the country. He’s the only receiver not enrolled early.

As for the tight end position, Freeman hit a home run here, too. Concord, Calif., product Cooper Flanagan is going to try and help ease the pain of losing Mayer to the NFL draft. He’s the 2023 class’ No. 16 tight end.

Home/Notre Dame Fighting Irish