Nine Notre Dame signees stay in final Rivals 250 for 2018 class

The final adjustment of the Rivals 250 for the 2018 class wasn’t particularly kind to Notre Dame.

All nine Irish recruits previously on the list remained in the top 250, but only defensive tackle Jayson Ademilola saw his ranking improve since December.

Of course, having nine of the top 250 recruits in the 2018 class is nothing to scoff at. It has helped carry the Irish to the No. 8 class in the country.

Defensive back Houston Griffith wasn’t committed to Notre Dame when the previous Rivals 250 was released, but he held onto the title of highest-ranked member of the Irish class. Rivals ranks him as the No. 3 safety and No. 43 overall. He was previously ranked No. 35 overall.

Linebacker Jack Lamb checked in next with an overall ranking (No. 77) that did not change as the No. 2 inside linebacker.

Quarterback Phil Jurkovec dropped 32 spots to No. 87 overall after a challenging week at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. The No. 4 dual-threat quarterback had previously moved up 25 spots with an undefeated run to a state championship in Pennsylvania.

Jurkovec’s top receiving target, Kevin Austin, landed one spot behind him at No. 88 overall. The No. 14 wide receiver dropped seven spots since December.

Safety Derrik Allen took the biggest hit of Notre Dame’s signees. Rivals dropped him 69 spots to No. 135 as the No. 7 safety following the Army Bowl.

Linebacker Bo Bauer (down 16), rover Shayne Simon (down 9), and wide receiver Micah Jones (down 13) all saw small falls. Rivals ranks Bauer as the No. 5 inside linebacker and No. 158 overall, Simon as the No. 12 outside linebacker and No. 168 overall, and Jones as the No. 36 wide receiver and No. 192 overall.

The good news was reserved for Ademilola, who turned in an impressive Army Bowl week to receive another rankings bump. Rivals now ranks him as the No. 13 defensive tackle and No. 169 overall.

Four of Notre Dame’s final remaining targets made the Rivals 250: offensive tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere (No. 11), defensive back Julius Irvin (No. 95), linebacker Solomon Tuliaupupu (No. 97) and cornerback Noah Boykin (No. 204).

The complete Rivals 250 can be found here.