After wrapping up the 2022 recruiting class and seeing a number of players transfer the Notre Dame scholarship numbers for 2022 and beyond are coming into focus
Notre Dame's 2022 class has been signed, sealed and delivered, NFL Draft decisions have been made and there have been several transfers and departures to the program since the end of the season. Notre Dame clearly has an 85 scholarship limit and is close to being in a position to add a transfer or two.
In the current roster shakeup, the Irish are also in a position to land a large recruiting class by 2023.
present situation
Notre Dame currently stands at 86 scholarships, which means it is only one place away from the maximum 85 per NCAA rules. There is a good balance on the roster as well.
As things stand now, Notre Dame has 40 scholarship players on offense, 41 scholarship players on defense and five special teams players.
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Quarterback - 4
Running Back - 5
Wide Receiver - 8
tight end - 7
Offensive Line - 16
Total - 40
This number includes running back C'Bo Flemister, who is still listed on Notre Dame's updated roster. His future at Notre Dame is in question, but with the departure of Lance Taylor I believe there is a better chance that Flemister will want to stay at Notre Dame, and Notre Dame's desire to keep him may increase.
If spring practice has arrived when Flemister is on the roster, it doesn't necessarily mean that he will still be here in the fall. As the depth chart shakes up in the spring, it could increase the odds that a player or three leaves soon, or during the summer.
I'm still puzzled about having seven tight ends on the roster and I wouldn't be in the least bit surprised if there is one tight end off the roster before spring is over.
Notre Dame's receiver numbers are volatile, so employees need to keep a very close eye on the transfer portal. Losing two players from the roster to bring in a transfer for next season is something I expect to happen.
16 offensive linemen is a very healthy number.
Defense
Here's a look at Notre Dame's numbers on defense.
Defensive End - 9
Defensive Tackles - 7
Linebacker/Rover - 10
Cornerback - 8
Security - 7
Total - 41
Considering that Notre Dame keeps its current defensive roster in tact, it has a very balanced depth chart. There is depth on the defense to allow some players to move around to help Notre Dame tackle the offense.
Of course, anyone who's listened to my podcast this season or hear me discuss depth charts since the end of the 2021 campaign knows I'm talking about moving Xavier Watts to wide receiver. I have no idea that he's going to move on, but I'll stick to the opinion that it needs to happen. Watts is the one who does more than just help with the numbers on the wide receiver, he also fosters it in athleticism and playmaking ability.
Notre Dame will have 14 secondary players, and include a number of players who can play both cornerback or safety (Ramon Henderson, Clarence Lewis, Philip Riley, Jaden Bellamy).
special teams
Here's a look at Notre Dame's numbers on special teams.
kicker - 2
Punter - 1
Snapper - 2
Notre Dame should also get Harvard punter John Sot as a walk-on, which only adds to its expert depth.
2023 recruitment class could be huge
The makeup of Notre Dame's current roster puts it in a position to get into a huge 2023 square, which is very important to the facelifted workforce.
Notre Dame's roster will have 15 fifth or sixth year players who are likely to be in their final season in 2022. Three of those players are the sixth year that will be done after the 2022 season. With the exception of Jason Ademilola, the entire 11-member group that made up the 2018 class could return in 2023, but the chances of more than one or two returning remain slim.
Notre Dame will also have 13 seniors on the roster, but not all of them will be given a fifth season or a used fifth season.
Isaiah Fosky, Cam Hart, and Brandon Joseph all have the potential to be decided by the NFL after next season. There are a few players on the defense (Jacob Lacey, Howard Krauss III, Marist Liufou, JD Bertrand, Jack Saffron) and at least one offensive lineman (Andrew Kristoffic, Zeke Correll) who will be expected to return in 2023.
There is also a strong possibility that Michael Mayer will leave for the NFL early. Of course, there will be transfers after next season like we see every year for every show.
Add all this up and Notre Dame should be able to get 25 scholarships for the 2023 class without any problems, and it is very possible to go beyond that.
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