Notre Dame's Offensive Signees Could Provide An Immediate Impact

Notre Dame’s talented 2016 recruiting class arrives on campus today. The Irish newcomers will begin summer school classes and being the summer portion of their strength and conditioning program.

An underrated class nationally, the 2016 class could provide a significant impact for Notre Dame in 2016, with potential difference makers arriving on offense, defense and special teams.

Blue & Gold Illustrated ranked the 2016 commits, and now we take a look at what to expect in 2016 – and the future – from the Irish freshmen on offense.

Kevin Stepherson, WR, 5-11, 171, Jacksonville (Fla.) First Coast

2016 Projection: Stepherson was the lowest ranked member of the talented wide receiver class, but he has a bit of a leg up after enrolling early and going through spring practice. Stepherson made a number of highlight reel catches, using his speed, quickness and ball skills to stand out. Getting stronger is a must, but Stepherson has the playmaking ability to provide immediate depth and production.

Future Potential: Stepherson will begin his career at the X position, where his speed and route running ability should allow him to thrive. His elusiveness, instincts and aforementioned ball skills also project well at the Z position. This flexibility means Stepherson will be able to find a role regardless of what his talented classmates do at the position. Expect Stepherson to far out-play his low three-star grade.

Javon McKinley, WR, 6-3, 205, Corona (Calif.) Centennial

2016 Projection: As the highest ranked offensive skill recruit in the class, McKinley will be expected to make a push early in his career. McKinley was one of the nation’s most productive wideouts the last two seasons, hauling in 153 passes for 3,223 yards (21.1 per catch) and 35 touchdowns. He also returned four kickoffs for scores. McKinley’s strength and ball skills play well immediately, but it is his football IQ that could push him up the depth chart this season.

Future Potential: McKinley is an intriguing player that could play all three receiver positions in the Irish offense. He is not the most athletic player, he is not the fastest and he needs work as a route runner. What he does is produce at an elite level against elite competition. What he lacks is elite physical traits he makes up for with outstanding one-on-one ball skills, knowledge of how to work himself open and dominance in the red zone. McKinley will have to become a more refined player, but if he does he should flourish.

Chase Claypool, WR, 6-4, 215, Abbotsford (B.C.) High School

2016 Projection: Claypool needs the most work from a technical standpoint, but few players on the roster will have his combination of size and athleticism. It might take him some time to learn the technical skills required to be an every down player, but it would not be the least bit surprising if he cracks the two deep and becomes an immediate red zone weapon.

Future Potential: Claypool could play the X and W positions in the Irish offense. He has enough speed to stretch the field, he can make plays after the catch and he possesses elite leaping ability. Those traits are what make Claypool such an exciting player, at least from a potential standpoint. What he must do to maximize that potential is continue to learn how to play the position. His route running is raw and he must learn to get off the line against press coverage. If his technique ever comes close to matching the raw tools, Claypool could become a dominant pass catcher.

Tommy Kraemer, OL, 6-5, 310, Cincinnati (Ohio) Elder

2016 Projection: The ideal situation for Kraemer is that he gets to stay off the field, develop his technique, reshape his body and enhance his technique. All four players that line coach Harry Hiestand put into the NFL – including first rounders Nick Martin and Ronnie Stanley – took a redshirt their first season. If senior right guards Hunter Bivin and Colin McGovern can’t handle the job – or if injuries mount up – Kraemer could find himself thrust onto the field.

Future Potential: Kraemer projects best at guard, but he could also handle the right tackle position. He is a powerful player and a quality athlete that is at his best in the run game, and guard would allow him to maximize his best traits. Kraemer is not a great space player, which is why guard is his ideal spot, but improved technique could help him play on an island. Kraemer has a chance to be a dominant guard and if he can work himself onto the field will remind Irish fans of current standout guard Quenton Nelson.

Tony Jones Jr., RB, 5-10, 219, St. Petersburg (Fla.) IMG Academy

2016 Projection: Notre Dame is loaded in the backfield, so cracking the rotation will be hard to do for Jones. He is a powerful runner that could work himself into a short-yardage/goal line package early on. Notre Dame’s top two backs – senior Tarean Folston and sophomore Josh Adams – have injury history, and if they go down Jones would be able to fill in.

Future Potential: In order to find a home in the current backfield, a young back will need a unique skill set or a unique trait, which is exactly what Jones brings to the Irish backfield. He is a one-cut slasher that would rather run a defender over than juke him in space. Finding that kind of thumper for the backfield would give it a dimension it has not had in some time. In many ways, Jones reminds me of former Irish back Jonas Gray (2008-11), and a career filled with seasons like Gray had in 2011 are not out of the question.

Liam Eichenberg, OL, 6-6, 280, Cleveland (Ohio) St. Ignatius

2016 Projection: Eichenberg was my top ranked recruit in the 2016 class, but he was recruited with the intention of sitting out his first season so he could gain the necessary strength, stamina and technique to thrive. Barring injury, Eichenberg will not see the field this season.

Future Potential: Notre Dame’s last two starting left tackles were elite college football players and went onto become first round picks (Martin, Stanley). The next starter – senior Mike McGlinchey – is also projected to be a first round pick. Whenever McGlinchey leaves, Eichenberg will be poised to step into the void. If he taps into his full potential – and can stay healthy – Eichenberg will be a punishing run blocker, one with elite pass blocking potential.

Parker Boudreaux, OL, 6-3, 300, Winter Garden (Fla.) Bishop Moore

2016 Projection: Like Eichenberg and Kraemer, Boudreaux was recruited with the intention of preserving a year. Barring injury, he will not see game action in 2016.

Future Potential: Boudreaux is on the shorter side, which is why he should transition from tackle – which he played in high school – to either guard or center. He’s an advanced player from a strength standpoint and plays the game with force and power. His technique needs a lot of work and there are questions about how much better he will get in college, but Boudreaux has the skills to one day grow into a starter on the interior, one that will thrive in the run game.

Ian Book, QB, 6-0, 190, El Dorado Hills (Calif.) Oak Ridge

2016 Projection: Book will likely preserve a season of eligibility.

Future Potential: Book is a smart player with underrated arm strength and athleticism. He was highly productive in high school, and in many ways reminds me of former Irish quarterback Tommy Rees (2010-13), but with better physical tools. With Brandon Wimbush signed in the year ahead of him and Avery Davis and Phil Jurkovec coming behind him, it is assumed that Book won’t ever start at Notre Dame. At the very least, Book will be a quality backup. At best, he shocks prognosticators and becomes a starting quarterback later in his caerer.

Deon McIntosh, RB, 5-11, 180, Pompano Beach (Fla.) Cardinal Gibbons

2016 Projection: McIntosh will likely preserve a season of eligibility.

Future Potential: Speed is the name of McIntosh’s game, and if he makes an impact at Notre Dame it will be due to that trait. He likely will never grow to be big enough to be an every down back, but his big play ability could help him find a role as a situational back that occasionally bumps out to the slot.

John Shannon, LS, 6-2, 220, Lake Forest (Ill.) Loyola Academy

2016 Projection: Shannon will likely preserve a season of eligibility.

Future Potential: After sitting out 2016, Shannon is expected to emerge as Scott Daly’s replacement as Notre Dame’s starting long and short snapper Of course, an injury to Daly this fall could result in Shannon’s timetable moving up.