[goBIGblue82]

This is what I meant. Notre Dame used to consistently be in the top 3 in recruiting classes year after year. That has changed, and based on the recruiting class grades, Notre Dame is not showing that they are getting the top players. A top player maybe, but not a core group of players to build around. From what I could find, here is Notre Dames recruiting rankings since 2002:

2009 - 21
2008 - 4
2007 - 10
2006 - 8
2005 - 40
2004 - 32
2003 - 12
2002 - 24

1980's and 90's, Notre Dame went through periods where they had the #1 recruiting class three stright years on three separate occasions. I attribute that to pride and tradition, which appears to not be there now.

I understand that they're not bringing in #1 or top 5 every year, but with the number of elite programs in college football to bringing in top 10 recruiting class every year is still getting the job done recruiting. They also are not located in a state that is loaded with talent like in Cal., Texas, or in the Southeast, but they still manage to get recruits from there.

Rivals.com ESPN.com
2009-#21 2009-#14
2008-#2 2008-#8
2007-#8 2007-#8
2006#8 2006-#5