ReRank Breakdown: 2008 Notre Dame Recruiting Class

Hits & Misses

Hit: Kyle Rudolph (TE) — Originally ranked 33. Outcome: NFL Pro Bowl. Rudolph significantly exceeded expectations, demonstrating elite performance at the professional level. Hit: Michael Floyd (WR) — Originally ranked 25. Outcome: NFL Starter. Floyd's career trajectory indicates he surpassed the anticipations set by his recruiting ranking. Hit: Trevor Robinson (IOL) — Originally ranked 77. Outcome: NFL Starter. Robinson showed that he could perform at a high level beyond what was predicted during his recruitment. Hit: Robert Blanton (S) — Originally ranked 404. Outcome: NFL Starter. Blanton's performance validated his recruitment, proving to be a valuable contributor at the highest level. Miss: Dayne Crist (QB) — Originally ranked 14. Outcome: College Starter. Crist did not meet the high expectations associated with his ranking, settling for a starting role without further impact. Miss: Darius Fleming (EDGE) — Originally ranked 91. Outcome: NFL Drafted. Despite being drafted, Fleming did not achieve the high-performance levels expected for a player of his ranking.

Development Story

The 2008 recruiting class for Notre Dame displayed a mix of outcomes, with several players exceeding their initial recruiting expectations. The class was originally ranked 4th nationally, which indicates a strong expectation for success. The S2S rerank of 7 suggests that, upon reevaluation, the overall performance of this recruiting class improved in perspective, highlighting the development of the players involved. Among the standout performers, Kyle Rudolph, Michael Floyd, Trevor Robinson, and Robert Blanton emerged as significant contributors, achieving outcomes of NFL Pro Bowl and NFL Starter. These results indicate a successful development process for players who were initially ranked higher and did not just meet but exceeded their projected impact on the program. Conversely, a couple of higher-ranked recruits, particularly Dayne Crist and Darius Fleming, did not fully realize their projected potential. Crist, ranked 14th, only managed to achieve the status of College Starter, reflecting a less than anticipated development trajectory. Similarly, Fleming, while drafted, did not elevate to the level expected from a player of his caliber.

Outcome Summary

Overall, the Notre Dame 2008 recruiting class can be characterized as having met expectations, with several notable hits that significantly outperformed their rankings. The upward adjustment in the S2S rerank indicates that the class, particularly those who became NFL starters, added value to the program. The presence of multiple players with high outcomes suggests effective development processes, while the few misses highlight the challenges inherent in recruiting high-ranked prospects. In summary, this class demonstrated a strong capacity for development, with several players turning into impactful contributors at the collegiate and professional levels.