It’s the question from fans of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish that is equal parts truth and annoying: What about the 5-Stars? College football recruiting is a fairly complex venture, but many like to boil it down to that simple question about the elite players each year.
The simple difference between a top 15 class and a top 5 class can usually be attributed to a 5-Star or two on the commit list. That in itself is not a big deal, but the difference in a big game can also boil down to a former 5-Star or two on the roster (see the Cotton Bowl against the Clemson Tigers).