Notre Dame received some much needed good news on the recruiting on Tuesday when Ja’Mion Franklin gave the Irish their first commitment in almost two months. Â In the process Franklin became the third defensive linemen to join the class of 2018. Â While the Irish locked up on top target though, they could be fading for one of their top remaining defensive line recruits – P. J. Mustipher.
Notre Dame Fading With P.J. Mustipher?
The news is not great for the brother of Notre Dame starting center Sam Mustipher, P.J., who it seems the Irish are losing ground with.
It was once thought Notre Dame was the heavy favorite to land the #9 defensive tackle in the nation and #103 player overall, according to 247 sports, but things have taken a turn, and not a positive one. Mustipher, also a state champion wrestler, has been heavily linked to Penn State as of late, with Notre Dame struggling to stay with some of the other top schools in consideration.
Notre Dame does have three players already signed to the defensive line with at least two, Jayson Ademilola and Ja’Mion Franklin, slated to play inside, where Mustipher would be slated as well. With Notre Dame looking good with Booker, that could be four on the defensive line, with the last spot going to either Mustipher or Jayson Oweh, a rush end out of New Jersey.
To  be clear, Notre Dame isn’t choosing Oweh over Mustipher, they play two different positions. And while Notre Dame has similar type players to Mustipher, the same cannot be said of Oweh, at 6’5, 236.  But, would the coaching staff prioritize Oweh if Booker was brought on board? Would they take six?
It should be noted Mustipher is the highest rated of any of the aforementioned players and in my opinion it’s an indictment they are struggling to stay in the conversation at this point. The elder Mustipher is about to be a multi-year starter for Notre Dame and the goal right now is to get into the top group with his brother?
And Amon-Ra St. Brown?
The Irish continue the trend of struggling with brothers as the news continues to not be good with the youngest St. Brown. Notre Dame missed with the middle brother, Osiris, as he took his services to Stanford with the 2017 class and they appear to be in an uphill battle with Oman-Ra this year.
An attendee of Irish Invasion last season, an event he dominated, he will not be in attendance this season, and recently on the Irish Illustrated podcast, beat writer Tim Prister gave the Irish a less than 50/50 chance of landing the five star receiver from Mater Dei High School in Southern California.
It’s not all doom and gloom with him, however, as the family was rumored to have been turned off by the strength and conditioning program (and likely overall dysfunction) last season, which lead to Osiris heading off the Palo Alto.
The Irish might be saying good things right now and keeping Amon-Ra interested with the over haul to the program, but Notre Dame isn’t a very exciting program right now for those who aren’t looking for reasons to be excited. A new approach, with a new strength program, new quarterback, and new offense, might be enough to get Notre Dame back into the picture. Beating USC wouldn’t be the worst thing either.
As noted earlier today though, things are looking good for another top class of 2018 wide receiver – Kevin Austin. Â The 247Sports Crystal Ball currently reads 100% for Notre Dame with Austin who could join Braden Lenzy to become the second wide receiver in this year’s class very soon.
Even if things continue to trend south for the youngest St. Brown brother, this year’s wide receiver class is ridiculously stacked and Notre Dame is positioned very well at the position.
I’ve heard the rumor about St. Brown’s family not being happy with the S&C program as well, and I suspect there’s something to it. I can imagine that a former Mr. Universe would consider himself to be an expert on S&C, and rightly so. It wouldn’t surprise me if EQ came back from school less fit than he was at home, and that isn’t a good look. Hopefully, Brown and Balis will have a chance to talk and have a meeting of the minds. (I suspect each could tell the other a thing or two.) If that happens, we could very well get back on track with ARSB.