Notre Dame Football Recruiting Update: Friday, January 11, 2013
By Nick Combs
Dec 17, 2012; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head football coach Brian Kelly addresses the media at the Notre Dame BCS national championship media day at the Guglielmino Athletics Complex. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
According to Rivals.com, Notre Dame currently has 22 commitments for the 2013 season. This includes three 5 star players, Thirteen 4 star players, and six 3 star players. Currently Notre Dame is ranked 2nd overall in recruiting for 2013. The Irish were ranked 1st in recruiting until yesterday when Alex Anzalone de-committed from Notre Dame. To be honest it is better he left now rather than stay a year and leave like Aaron Lynch did. It still doesn’t sit well with me Anzalone has committed and de-committed from more schools than any recruit I can think of. He first committed to Ohio State, then de-committed and committed to Notre Dame, but a couple of months ago waivered on that commitment think he wanted to go to Florida. His father went to Florida and he was feeling family pressure. Well the pressure finally won and Anzalone will be a Gator next season. Personally I think he was just waiting for something to go wrong so he had a reason to de-commit and pick Florida. This does free up possibly two more spots for recruits to commit, but I doubt they will go after any other inside linebackers in the 2013 class.
Kylie Fitts
The 6’4’’ 260 pound defensive end that de-committed from USC on Tuesday and it is reported that Notre Dame is in the mix. Fitts is ranked as the 7th best defensive end and the 108th best recruit in the nation. After losing AQ Muhammad to Miami this would fill the spot, but Notre Dame still needs a signature pass rusher in this class. Jaylon Smith is a very good pass rusher, but the Irish coaches were looking for a bigger framed guy that can not only stop the run, but rush the passer. If Fitts was to pick Notre Dame there is no way the coaching staff could pass him up, since he has a very good skill set.
Sebastian LaRue
Reported that Notre Dame and LaRue scheduled an official visit the January 25th, which is only a couple of weeks before National Signing Day and I think he has a lot of interest in Notre Dame, but it would be the 4th wide receiver to commit to the Irish for 2013.
Eddie Vanderdoes
Still considering USC after de-committing, but it looks like there are now 3 major contenders besides the Trojans. Notre Dame, UCLA, and Alabama are all in the mix, but the Crimson Tide need to get Vanderdoes down for an official visit, if that happens there is a good chance he would pick Alabama. Vanderdoes would be a great replacement for Nix and could maybe get some rotation time next season.