This:

3* type RKG type qb. Good academics (being recruited by the Ivies), Catholic H.S., loves ND, good overall athlete who could play another position (e.g. Spond)or special teams, but would be able to play the qb position if we get hit with injuries at that position. Just wondering, we do it at other positions, why not qb?

one guy is more of a system qb whereas the other guy is more of an athlete playing qb. I think that the system you want to run is going to dictate how often you recruit each type of guy.

Ignoring skillsets, is it prudent to recruit a 4 or 5 star every year, knowing that one or two out of three will likely transfer?

Or is it preferable to recruit a 3 star guy who may be happy to stay on the roster as a backup every other year?

To be honest, I'm not sure.

perhaps work in a highly rated "athlete" every few years or so as that might be a guy that can move positions if needed.

the hell you want as long as you stay out of a situation in which an injury to your starting quarterback will cause you to shelve half of your playbook.

like USC have historically been able to keep a stable of 4/5-star QBs without a huge amount of attrition due to transfers. While USC and ND are different, USC's history doesn't suggest that a blanket assumption that you can't sign a 4- or 5-star QB every year because there will be an inordinate number (e.g., 1 or 2 out of 3) will transfer would be accurate.

but instead took some middling 3-star? Then, what if Golson proved to not really be the answer this past year?

I think you take the best you can get each year and let the talent sort itself out.

I don't think you ever set your sights lower than the best you can get.

I'm glad we've got Zaire. If we didn't follow up the recruitment of Golson and Kiel with a high quality QB, we'd be in even bigger long-term trouble following Kiel's transfer.