Notre Dame’s Top Classes: No. 8
The class ratings were based on 1) impact on the program through production, championship contention and talent level of other classes around them, 2) balance at the various positions and 3) overall depth in number of major producers.
The 1986 Recruiting Class
Players Signed: 21
Record at Notre Dame (1986-89): 37-11 (.771), including 2-1 in bowl games. The Irish defeated 11-0 West Virginia in the 1989 Fiesta Bowl and 11-0 Colorado in the 1990 Orange Bowl.
Final Associated Press Rankings: No. 1 in 1988 and No. 2 in 1989
Top Players
Quarterback: Tony Rice
Running Backs: Anthony Johnson, Braxston Banks
Receiver: Pat Eilers*
Tight End: Rod West
Offensive Line: Tim Grunhard (guard), Dean Brown (tackle), Mike Brennan (tackle)*
Defensive Line: Jeff Alm, Bryan Flannery
Linebacker: Michael Stonebreaker
Defensive Backs: Pat Terrell (free safety) Stan Smagala (cornerback)
* Indicates walk-on
IMPACT
In February 1986, the 21-man haul under first-year head coach Lou Holtz received little fanfare. Joe Terranova, the godfather of recruiting rankings, rated it “between 15th to 20th” — an unheard of placement for Notre Dame, a perennial top-five recruiter.
“In the first freshman meeting, when we reported to camp, Coach Holtz told us that talent-wise, this was one of the worst recruiting classes he ever had, and was one of the worst in Notre Dame history,” recalled West, one of the signees. “There was not much expected of us, and a lot of the athletes were not on the ‘A’ list.”
This became one of the transcendent stories in Notre Dame lore. When this group arrived, the Irish were coming off a 5-6 season in 1985, and then they too were 5-6 as freshmen in 1986. By the time they graduated, they were the backbone of a school-record 23 consecutive victories and the 1988 national title.
The group brought some talent, but its work ethic and commitment to restoring Notre Dame’s glory is what buoyed a special team chemistry.
BALANCE
Except for a kicker and punter, there was a major contributor on every unit, with Rice becoming Holtz’s prototype quarterback. His option wizardry enabled the Irish to spread the field vertically and horizontally. No QB in college history started in more victories over top-10 squads (nine) than Rice, who placed fourth in the 1989 Heisman Trophy balloting. After sitting out his freshman year as a Prop 48 casualty, Rice took over as the starter by the fourth game of his sophomore year amidst much outcry that “Notre Dame will never win big with an option quarterback.”
Complementing Rice in the backfield were fullbacks Johnson and Banks, and flanker/halfback Eilers. Johnson, who would play 12 years in the NFL, tallied the most touchdowns (34) in the Holtz era while amassing more than 2,000 all-purpose yards. Banks and Eilers both scored touchdowns in the memorable 31-30 victory over No. 1-ranked Miami in 1988.
Blocking for them along the line were guard Grunhard and tackles Brown and Brennan. In the NFL, Grunhard was ensconced as Kansas City’s center for 11 years and he manifested the hard-nosed “Grabowski” ilk of which this class was replete. Brown was nicknamed “Big Happy” and provided levity and bulk at right tackle. Brennan originally played lacrosse, but walked on at tight end in 1986 and grew into a starting guard and tackle en route to playing three years in the NFL.
A transfer from Yale, walk-on Eilers began his career at safety before switching to offense. He became a superb blocker at flanker and a stalwart on special teams while starting two years at Notre Dame and playing six years in the NFL.
On defense, the standouts were second-team All-American Alm for the line, two-time All-America Stonebreaker at linebacker and swift defensive backs Smagala and Terrell, all of whom played in the NFL.
The 6-7 Alm’s wingspan enabled him to record 124 tackles during Notre Dame’s 24-1 run in 1988-89, block nine passes, intercept four and alter many others. Stonebreaker totaled 220 tackles and five interceptions during his career.
Lightly recruited Smagala’s scholarship offer from previous Irish head coach Gerry Faust was grudgingly honored by Holtz. He became a three-year starter at corner, with his signature moment an interception return for a TD at 10-0 and No. 2 USC in 1988.
Terrell’s career began at receiver before Holtz shifted him to free safety in 1988. A nine-year performer in the NFL, Terrell’s difference-making dossier included an interception return for a score against Miami in the ’88 showdown, as well as deflecting the two-point conversion in the final minute.
DEPTH
Providing quality reserve power during the 23-game winning streak were fullback Banks, defensive lineman Flannery and tight end West. Banks came up huge with two touchdown receptions as a freshman in the dramatic 38-37 comeback victory at USC in the 1986 season finale. During the 1988 national championship season, he stepped in for an injured Johnson and made several vital plays in a 30-20 comeback win at Pitt, followed by a TD reception in the upset of No. 1 Miami the following week.
Interestingly, maybe the two must trumpeted players in the class ended up not starring for the Irish. USA Today Defensive Player of the Year John Foley had his career truncated after an injury in his sophomore year, and offensive lineman Jeff Pearson transferred to Michigan State at the conclusion of his sophomore year.
SUMMARY
This class overachieved and met the three criteria we set: It 1) made a significant impact in a rise from the ashes; 2) featured nearly a dozen major contributors and 3) was well rounded at myriad positions.
Beyond those criteria were the intangibles and leadership they provided after Notre Dame had been mired in mediocrity from 1981-86 with a 35-32-1 record — and 1985-86 is the only time the Irish had back-to-back losing seasons.
It’s not ranked higher because this class didn’t have to carry the program. Many premier athletes on the 1988-89 units — Frank Stams, Raghib Ismail, Chris Zorich, Todd Lyght, Wes Pritchett, Ned Bolcar, Ricky Watters and Tony Brooks, etc. — came from classes recruited in 1984, 1985, 1987 and 1988.
Overall, though, attitude, performance, results and contributing immensely to a revival are what make this, in our opinion, one of our 10 best classes since 1946.
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