Notre Dame Football Recruiting Update: Friday, December 14, 2012
By Nick Combs
Oct 13, 2012; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish coach Brian Kelly and linebacker Manti Te
According to Rivals.com, Notre Dame currently has 22 commitments for the 2013 season. This includes two 5 star players, fourteen 4 star players, and seven 3 star players. Currently Notre Dame is ranked 3rd overall in recruiting for 2013. Last Friday Greg Bryant a 5 star running back from Delray Beach, Florida committed to Notre Dame. What sealed the deal for Bryant? Academics, saying that if he goes to Notre Dame he knows he will graduate with a 4 year degree. It was a shock to me and most of the Notre Dame fan base, since he is the second best running back and the 16th best recruit in the country for 2013. He is the best offensive recruit since Notre Dame landed Jimmy Clausen in 2007 (the number 1 recruit overall). With Cierre likely to leave and Theo heading to the NFL and graduating Bryant could have a chance to get playing time right away. In 2014 recruiting news the Irish land Jimmy Byrne a 4 star offensive lineman from St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland, Ohio. As a very raw junior he had great size and strength to become a good player, but needs work on his technique and footwork.
Max Redfield
In case you didn’t hear it is down to Notre Dame and USC as his final schools he wants to attend next fall. Academics are important to Redfield as well, which is why it comes down to two schools that are in the top 25 nationally in academics. If Redfield decides to attend Notre Dame he would be the 7th player in the 2013 recruiting class in the Rivals top 100 and not to mention the 3rd 5 star recruit to head to South Bend. He is looking to announce his decision on January 5th at the Under Armour Game.
Tarean Folston
It’s not really an option anymore after the commitment of Greg Bryant, and with the depth chart not in his favor it doesn’t look like he will choose Notre Dame. I’m not sure that Coach Kelly would take his commitment if he wanted to choose the Irish, since there are only 1-2 spots left in this recruiting class. Folston has mentioned Oregon a lot and really liked his visit, but it’s hard to tell where this versatile back will end up.
Eddie Vanderdoes
The commitment to USC (soft verbal) has hosted many in home visits from the Notre Dame coaching staff, but hasn’t set a date to visit South Bend. Vanderdoes is a 4 star defensive tackle from Placer, California. He is ranked the 4th best defensive tackle and the 32nd best recruit for the class of 2013. A rumor for an official visit in January has been tossed around, but many people think he will visit USC and sure up his commitment.
The Army All-American Bowl and the Under Armour Game will be must watch’s for Notre Dame fans to see what A.Q. Muhammad and Max Redfield decide where to attend college. These two recruits are the most likely to commit to Notre Dame.