Notre Dame Football Recruiting Update: Friday, November 9, 2012
By Nick Combs
Oct. 27, 2012; Norman, OK, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly waits to take the field before the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Notre Dame won 30-13. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-US PRESSWIRE
According to Rivals.com, Notre Dame currently has 22 commitments for the 2013 season. This includes one 5 star player, twelve 4 star players, and nine 3 star players. Currently Notre Dame is ranked 2nd overall in recruiting. This past week Notre Dame landed a 2014 recruit, an offensive tackle from Brooklyn Jay Hayes. He is the 3rd recruit of the 2014 class to commit to Notre Dame.
Alex Anzalone
The Anzalone saga has taken a stop and it is staying at Notre Dame. Last weekend Anzalone visited Notre Dame, and then he went on to affirm his commitment to the Irish. We can all breathe easy knowing that Anzalone is now going to be in blue and gold this spring. Many people say that he will be taking over for the All-American Manti Te’o, which are big shoes to fill. Will he play his freshman year? Possibly, but it will more than likely be in a rotation role, not starting.
Jay Hayes
The high school junior is 6’5’’ 270 pounds. You will see him playing both ways on his high school team, but he is an offensive tackle and that is what he will play in college. Eric Olsen went to the same high school as Hayes (Poly Prep, Brooklyn, New York), and according to rivals.com he was courting Jay before Notre Dame offered him a scholarship. This recruit has very little film available, but reports have said he is more of a run blocker and needs work on his pass blocking footwork. Offensive linemen recruits usually don’t start until their junior or senior year simply because of lack of strength and weight.
Mackensie Alexander
There have been reports that he has had Notre Dame is Alexander’s leading school, but he has flipped his top school multiple times and has yet to schedule an official visit to Notre Dame. If Alexander was to pick the Irish it would make the defensive recruiting class among the best in the country for 2013. He is one of the best defensive backs in this recruiting class and could team up with Cole Luke and give the defensive secondary some depth.
L.J. Moore
Looked like Moore was going to commit to Notre Dame, until Cole Luke beat him to the punch. He is now leaning towards many of the west coast schools to make his new home. UCLA looks to be the leader now and with their relative improvement this year it could help land the 4 star defensive back.
Max Redfield
Has officially de-committed from USC this past week and has said that Notre Dame is his number one on his college list. There were reports of Max falling out of love with USC after he visited Notre Dame. It is now up to Notre Dame to keep on the 4 star defensive back that could solidify the defensive backfield for 2013 and beyond.
Overall, look for Redfield to make a decision in the next month or so and it seems that Notre Dame will not land L.J. Moore, but Notre Dame fans shouldn’t be concerned any longer. Landing Cole Luke gave the defense a solid defensive back that could make an impact right away. A.Q is still pondering a decision that will more than likely come during the Army All-American game.