Denson didn't "recruit" well. I'd say the on-field production out of the running back was WAAAAAAAAY better than recruiting "stars". This, in my opinion, shows a superior level of coaching. Meanwhile, we've had high star QBs suffer (for 8 years).
An OL that's massively underperformed compared to their composite "star" rankings. Though this unit has put out a significant number of high draft (1st round) and quality pros. There is a lot of positive for the overall unit, but ND hasn't by any means had a real road-grader OL that can consistently pick up 4th and 1 when everyone knows you are running it. My point here is the general on-field product of the unit seems less as a whole than their respective star ranking.
The DL seems to have been on par with its overall star ranking. The DBs feels like a lower production, outside of Love? The wide receivers are a total scattershot, but for the most part, the big recruiting "star" names haven't done all that much if they weren't named Floyd.
This is one area where a Kelly coached team of lower "stars" feels and seems to produce better on the field than a "high star" ranking team. He doesn't do well with top-tier athletes in my opinion.