Notre Dame can thank recently fired Western Kentucky coach Mike Sanford for its playoff trip. Without Sanford scouting Book at Boise State before becoming Notre Dame’s offensive coordinator in 2015, Book would’ve never made it on the Irish’s radar. In this alternate scenario, Book keeps his Washington State commitment and becomes Mike Leach’s next stellar gun slinger. As for Notre Dame, it’d be led by redshirt junior quarterback Brandon Wimbush. While Wimbush is 13-3 as starter, there’s no question his struggles as a passer (52.9 cmp%) limit the Irish offensively. In that scenario, it’s hard to imagine Notre Dame escaping a number of close calls it had this season. So welcome back to the playoffs, Georgia (at least in this reality)”
Link: https://247sports.com/Article/College-football-2018-recruiting-what-ifs-Tua-Tagovailoa--126464325/
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The results probably wouldn't have been as good, given how well Ian Book can look for WR3 and WR4 in a very rapid fashion.
Phil Jurkovec certainly has that ability, but to rely on him as a true frosh wouldn't have been the ideal scenario. He might have had better mobility, and a better downfield passing game, though.
If Book ended up at WSU, he’d be a mostly unknown backup at this point. Instead, he’s on the cover of SI and headed to the CFP.