Notre Dame's Needs in 2013

National Signing Day ends the most recent recruiting cycle. Today in college football, however, recruiting never ends. As Brian Kelly wraps up his press conference, he will turn his attention to the 2013 class. What needs does he need to fill by next year?

Numbers
Currently, Notre Dame only has 82 scholarship players, which is 3 below the maximum amount. Next year, Notre Dame has 13 players who will have exhausted their eligibility after this year. Notre Dame will have 8 players who after eligible for a 5th-year. Of those 8 players, Cierre Wood, Zack Martin, Chris Watt, Carlo Calabrese and Dan Fox are likely to be invited back. Therefore, Notre Dame will take around 19 players. This number could obviously expand if Notre Dame decided not to grant a 5th-year, a player would become medically ineligible or would opt to go to the NFL.

Positions of Need
Notre Dame's positions of need next year are Wide Receiver, Tight End, Offensive Line, Defensive Line, Linebacker, Cornerback and Safety. Notre Dame would be expected to take some where near the following numbers:

• Wide Receiver: 3 recruits
• Tight End: 2 recruits
• Offensive Line: 4 recruits
• Defensive Line: 4 recruits
• Linebacker: 4 recruits
• Cornerback: 1 recruit
• Safety: 1 recruit

Of course, Notre Dame can attempt to recruit more or less of one position group, especially with Kelly's flexibility with changing positions of players. However, looking at Notre Dame's current roster, these appear to be the likely numbers.

As Signing Day closes to an end, Notre Dame will now move to "Junior Days" and hosting for the Blue-Gold game. Stay tuned for more updates about who Notre Dame will target in 2013.