Who knows what the impact of this game will have on recruiting? I thought that the 2002 Fiesta Bowl win would really help recruiting that year; however, (in my opinion) the 2003 class was just average. It only had 15 players and so far only Whitner, Patterson, Gonzalez, and Youboty have seen significant playing time. Although Boeckman and Frost could be future stars.
To call the 2003 class "just average" is being very charitable, IMHO. Rivals ranked the class 41st nationally, and that was before 5 players left the program due to academic and legal issues (Guilford, Hiley, Irizarry, Maupin, and Smith). Of the remaining players, Whitner is a star, Youboty and Barton have been solid and will get even better, Patterson and Gonzalez have been valuable role players, and Frost has some huge upside; Cotton, Boeckman, Lukens, and Jordan will struggle to see the field. So far, one true star, four solid contributors, one potential contributor/star, four buried on the depth charts, and five busts - just not a very good class at all. For a similar view of the 2003 recruiting season, check out Oh8ch's post:
LINK
As far as the impact of yesterday's game ... it certainly can't hurt to beat a national power like Notre Dame in such convincing fashion, but most of the 2007 recruits (believe it or not) already know where they want to go, and one game or even a successful season won't change too many minds. If yesterday's game
helps with one or two kids (Oglesby and Martin come to mind), then that would be a big plus. Notre Dame didn't turn into Ball State overnight just because they lost to one of the best teams in the country in a BCS bowl game - it takes several years (or in ND's case, several decades apparently) before a team's reputation swings too far in one direction or another. And besides, there are just too many factors and preconceptions in play for a single game to mean much in the long run.
