Notre Dame Football Recruiting: Recapping Weekend
By Nick Combs
Jan 7, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish cheerleaders and mascot run onto the field before the 2013 BCS Championship game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Kyle Fitts, Eddie Vanderdoes, Durham Smythe, and Deon Hollins Jr. visited campus this weekend for their Official Visits. Fitts, Smythe and Vanderdoes took to Twitter during and after their Official Visits.
Durham Smythe committed to Notre Dame yesterday. He tweeted the following:
"Officially committed to the University of Notre Dame!#IrishMob13#ND"
Smythe is the 23rd commitment for the 2013 recruiting class and added some serious size at 6’6” 230 pounds. Smythe was committed to Texas earlier in the year. He chose the Irish over Stanford and Michigan.
Kyle Fitts, a 4-star Defensive End who was originally committed to USC, tweeted after his visit:
"Headed back to the airport! Had an awesome time here at Notre Dame thanks to @MatthiasFarley !! Its gonna be a hard decision on feb 6!!!!"
There is one thing about Fitt’s Official Visit to Notre Dame that is a concern. He did not bring his parents along on the visit. This could be a big red flag that he is not seriously considering the Irish. Even if he is, the parents may have an issue with their son selecting a school they have never seen.
Eddie Vanderdoes tweeted during his visit to Notre Dame:
"Pretty cool that everyone knows me out here to. Even the students that don’t play sports!"
Most Notre Dame football fans know a lot about the recruits they are going after, especially the 5 star recruits. Vanderdoes is not going to talk to media again until National Signing Day next Wednesday February 6th. It will come down to Notre Dame, USC, UCLA, Washington and Alabama.
Deon Hollins Jr. spoke out after his Official Visit to Notre Dame saying it was a good visit overall. Coach Kelly told the young recruit to not waste too much time, because Notre Dame have a limited amount of scholarships left for 2013. Right now, Notre Dame probably has 2 spots left.
Vanderdoes, Fitts, and Hollins Jr. are the recruits that Notre Dame has the best chance with down the stretch. With already a heavy Linebacking core in this year’s class, a commitment from Vanderdoes or Fitts would be huge and solidify the front four. Next Wednesday will round out the recruiting class for Notre Dame, who will the last few be?