Is There A Recruiting Rankings Bias Against Notre Dame?

The Irish Breakdown Podcast dives into a critical examination of whether national recruiting rankings exhibit a bias against Notre Dame, particularly in the context of the 2023 and 2024 recruiting classes. Despite Notre Dame's roster being projected as a top-five team in college football—featuring key contributors like CJ Carr, Leonard Moore, Tay Johnson, and Don Shuler—those same players were consistently undervalued in national recruiting rankings. The hosts analyze data from On3, 247 Sports, and ESPN, revealing that many of Notre Dame’s projected starters were ranked outside the top 300, with some not even ranked at all. While the hosts acknowledge that all recruiting services have inherent biases, they argue that 247 Sports displays a clear anti-Notre Dame bias, with multiple high-profile recruits dropping dramatically in rankings after committing to the program—despite stellar senior seasons. In contrast, On3 is criticized for poor positional evaluations, especially at quarterback and defensive back, but not for a specific Notre Dame bias. The discussion ultimately concludes that while individual evaluators have flaws, the consistent undervaluation of Notre Dame talent—especially from the Midwest—suggests systemic issues in how national outlets assess the program.