Notre Dame's Football Recruiting Class -- 2011

Brian Kelly's first full-year recruiting effort payed off quite nicely for the Fighting Irish Football program.  They hail from 14 states -- and represent some of the best talent at their position.  Recruiting "experts" -- generally rank this class among the very best in the country.  Here's a list by state -- of where these young men hail from -- and at what position group Notre Dame has recruited them to play; Skill (QB, WR, RB, DB, K), Big Skill (TE, LB, DE) or Power (OL, DL). And, we've included a link to their highlight video -- just click on their name:






CALIFORNIA -- 3 athletes

• George Atkinson, III -- SKILL
• Josh Atkinson -- SKILL
• Troy Niklas -- BIG SKILL

CONNECTICUT -- 1 athlete

• Conor Hanratty -- POWER

FLORIDA -- 2 athletes

• Aaron Lynch -- BIG SKILL / POWER
• Anthony Rabasa -- BIG SKILL

GEORGIA -- 1 athlete

• Stephon Tuitt -- POWER

 
INDIANA -- 2 athletes

• Nick Martin -- POWER
• Tony Springmann -- POWER

 
ILLINOIS -- 1 athlete

• Davaris Daniels -- SKILL 

MICHIGAN -- 1 athlete

• Kyle Brindza -- SKILL

NEW MEXICO -- 1 athlete

• Matt Hegarty -- POWER

NEW YORK -- 1 athlete

• Ishaq Williams -- BIG SKILL 

NORTH CAROLINA -- 2 athletes

• Ben Councell -- BIG SKILL
• Mathias Farley -- SKILL

OHIO -- 4 athletes

• Brad Carrico -- POWER
• Jarrett Grace -- BIG SKILL
  
• Eilar Hardy -- SKILL
• Chase Hounshell -- POWER

PENNSYLVANIA -- 1 athlete

• Ben Koyack -- BIG SKILL

SOUTH CAROLINA -- 1 athlete

• Everett Golson -- SKILL

TEXAS -- 2 athletes

• Jalen Brown -- SKILL
• Cam McDaniel -- SKILL

National Signing Day: Notre Dame Recruiting

As of right now, 12:01 AM EST on Wednesday, February 2nd -- the top high school football players in America can begin faxing in their National Letter of Intents to the University of Notre Dame!!!  The LIVE coverage begins at 7:00 AM EST on UND.COM -- followed by ESPNU's coverage which begins at 9 AM EST.  University of Notre Dame Football Coach, Brian Kelly is expected to meet with the media at 1 PM EST to talk about the recruiting class.  The timing of this day couldn't be better for all of us "snowbound" Irish fans in the Midwest.  Here's the NATIONAL SIGNING DAY schedule for Notre Dame fans -- along with links to everything you'll need to follow all of the national recruiting services.   It's going to be fun -- GO IRISH!!!

7:OO AM EST -- LINK:  UND.COM'S - NATIONAL SIGNING DAY @ NOTRE DAME

9:00 AM EST -- LINK:  ESPNU'S LIVE COVERAGE OF NATIONAL SIGNING DAY

1:00 PM EST -- LINK:  COACH KELLY'S NEWS CONFERENCE

2:20 PM EST -- LINK:  COACH KELLY'S RADIO INTERVIEW WITH RIVALS

LINK:  UND.COM'S NATIONAL SIGNING DAY CENTRAL

LINK:  ESPN'S LIST OF THE TOP 150 PLAYERS IN THE COUNTRY

LINK:  ESPN'S CURRENT RANKING OF NOTRE DAME'S RECRUITING CLASS 

LINK:  TOM LEMMING / MAXPREPS RECRUITING RANKINGS

LINK:  SCOUT'S RECRUITING RANKINGS

LINK:  RIVALS RECRUITING RANKINGS

LINK:  UND.COM -- RECRUITING TWITTER FEED

ND Picks Dolly Duffy to Replace Chuck Lennon

Dolly Duffy grew up in an Irish family in South Dakota.  In September of 1980, Dolly made the trek east to the University of Notre Dame -- for her first day of college -- to a campus she had never seen before.  Four years later, she became a member of the Notre Dame Alumni Association -- having graduated as a proud member of the Class of 1984.  Now, twenty-seven years later -- Dolly Duffy has been given the great responsibility of leading the greatest university alumni association on the planet -- the Notre Dame Alumni Association.   After a global search to find a replacement for the retiring Chuck Lennon -- Notre Dame announced Dolly's appointment, this afternoon, as Executive Director of the Alumni Association and Associate Vice President of University Relations.  The Notre Dame Alumni Association is charged with engaging the more than 132,000 living alumni and their 276 clubs around the world.  Congratulations Dolly!  Here's a link to Notre Dame's release:

LINK:  REPLACING A LEGEND!

Davaris Daniels' -- Monster Dunk!

If you'd like to get a "sneak-preview" of the type of athlete that Notre Dame football is recruiting -- take a look at this YouTube video of Davaris Daniels -- a wide receiver out of the Chicago area who will be signing with our Fighting Irish tomorrow.  It's going to be fun watching this young man wearing a gold-helmet!  Here's the link:

LINK:  YEAH -- HE'S COMMITTED TO NOTRE DAME!

Big Day Tomorrow for ND Football Fans!

It's National Signing Day -- the day that America's top high school football players make their "commitment" to their school of choice.  Recruiting experts are predicting a HAPPY DAY tomorrow for Irish fans -- despite the heavy snow predicted for many of us in the Great Lakes region.  As of right now, the folks at UND.COM are still planning on producing exclusive video-coverage beginning at 7 AM EST tomorrow morning! Be sure to check back with the ND GO IRISH BLOG -- first thing in the morning -- with links and schedules to all of the programming covering National Signing Day.

LINK:  UND.COM COVERAGE OF NATIONAL SIGNING DAY

A Historic First for Notre Dame Athletics!!!

This is the first time in Notre Dame's storied athletic history that its Men's Basketball Team and Men's Hockey Team are ranked in the Top Ten in the country at the same time!  Mike Brey's Irish are ranked #9 in the Coaches Poll and Jeff Jackson's Irish are ranked #10.  In addition, this marks the first time in nine years that both of Notre Dame's basketball teams are ranked in the Top Ten at the same time.  Muffet McGraw's Irish are ranked #8 -- making Notre Dame one of three schools in the country who have their men's and women's basketball teams ranked in the Top Ten this week!  The other two schools;  UCONN and Duke.  A big thank you to ND GO IRISH BLOG regular contributor, Dr. Jim Clancy -- for alerting us to this fact!

Notre Dame Stadium -- The Next Generation!

I found this great work @ NDNATION.COM -- as you can see -- an "architect" who doubles as a ND ALUM and Irish football fan went to work at what the next generation of Notre Dame Stadium might look like.  I for one -- think it's AWESOME!  I hope you enjoy the artist renderings -- along with a link to the creator's rationale for his design:

LINK:  WE SHOULD DO THIS NOW!!!

Irish Now Up to #8 in Coaches Poll!

Mike Brey's Fighting Irish are now receiving the respect they deserve.  This morning's polls came out and the Coaches poll has the Irish at #8 while the AP (media) poll has ND at #9.  The Irish play again this Thursday in Chicago - against DePaul.  Here's a link to the college basketball rankings released this morning:

LINK:  COLLEGE BASKETBALL RANKINGS

LINK:  SAGARIN'S COMPUTER RANKINGS -- COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Tuitt Talks to Blue & Gold Illustrated

Notre Dame fans will enjoy this interview of FIVE STAR defensive end Stephon Tuitt -- who's in Austin, TX preparing to play in the USA vs. The World football game on Wednesday, February 2nd.  Tuitt is playing for TEAM USA along with fellow Irish "verbal" commits; Matt Hegarty, George Atkinson III and Anthony Rabasa.  Tuitt is generally regarded as one of the top 25 high school football players in the country -- and his recruitment hasn't been easy for Coach Kelly and the Irish.  Looks like things are all good between ND and Mr. Tuitt!  Also -- Notre Dame Central's Keith Arnold posted a second video of Tuitt today -- from the USA vs. The World practice -- you'll want to see this as well!

LINK:  TUITT INTERVIEW

LINK:  TUITT @ PRACTICE

Notre Dame to Evacuate Students from Egypt!

In response to the U.S. State Department's recommendation to evacuate all Americans from the rapidly deteriorating situation in Egypt -- the University of Notre Dame announced this afternoon that they would be evacuating the 12 Notre Dame students involved in the study-abroad program at the American University of Cairo -- immediately.  Here's a link to a story written by ND student, Veronica Vos (Los Angeles, CA) who was one of the 12 students:

LINK:  A ND STUDENT TALKS ABOUT THE PROTESTS

Video of the Year -- Digger Dancin'

Folks, if you haven't seen this -- former Notre Dame Fighting Irish basketball coach Digger "Dancin" Phelps was at it again yesterday at the University of Kansas.  He even broke out Michael Jackson's trademark "glove" and "moon walk."  Digger, now an ESPN college basketball analyst -- thinks he can dance -- you be the judge!  Here's a link to the video -- a MUST SEE CLASSIC!

LINK:  DIGGER DANCIN'

Notre Dame Takes on America -- ESPNU!

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame men's lacrosse team is in Orlando, FL today to take on Team USA, and their goalie Scott Rogers (former Irish star), in the Champion Challenge @ Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex.  Notre Dame, ranked #7 in the pre-season polls -- will be facing the U.S. National Team and their "guy in goal" in this exhibition game.  The game will be played at 1:30 PM ET today - but won't be televised until 10 PM EST tonight on ESPNU!  Here's a link to a video of ND's arrival at Walt Disney World.

LINK:  NOTRE DAME TAKES ON AMERICA!

Ian Williams -- Did the Gold Helmet Proud!

Notre Dame senior, Ian Williams -- played his last football game wearing the iconic GOLD HELMET of the Fighting Irish, yesterday afternoon in Mobile, AL.  Ian was the lone member of Notre Dame's senior class invited to play in the 2011 Senior Bowl -- a game coached by NFL coaching staffs.  The week in Mobile with all of the NFL scouts around -- along with his "golden" play in yesterday's game (AP photo of Ian sacking Alabama QB Greg McElroy) will serve as a positive forerunner to this week's NFL DRAFT COMBINE in Indianapolis.  Here's a link to today's South Bend Tribune story about Ian -- along with a link to a scouting report on Ian's play at the Senior Bowl:

LINK:  THE GOLD HELMET "SHINES" @ SENIOR BOWL!

LINK:  I. WILLIAMS IMPROVES DRAFT STOCK!

Fit To Be Tied! -- Notre Dame vs. Miami, OH

Jeff Jackson's #9 ranked Fighting Irish took on the #13 ranked Miami Redhawks this weekend at Notre Dame -- and both games (Friday & Saturday) ended tied after regulation and OT!  Friday's game was tied at 5-5 before Miami won the "shootout" for the extra point in the CCHA standings 3-2.  Saturday's game ended tied at 2-2 before Notre Dame won the shootout 1-0.  Here's a link to the South Bend Tribune's stories on both games:

LINK:  SATURDAY'S GAME -- IRISH WINS SHOOTOUT

LINK:  FRIDAY'S GAME -- MIAMI WINS SHOOTOUT

Justin Tuck -- "Wired For Sound" @ Pro Bowl

Former University of Notre Dame football star, Justin Tuck has been in Honolulu this week preparing for today's 2011 NFL Pro Bowl.  The New York Giants star defensive end was "wired" at practice -- so NFL fans could get "inside" the game.  Tuck is the lone "DOMER" in today's game -- he'll be wearing #91 for the NFC.  FOX's TV coverage begins at 7 PM EST today.  Here's a link to Justin's feature on the NFL Network and a link to the NFL Pro Bowl website which has a number of entertaining stories:

LINK:  TUCK -- WIRED FOR SOUND @ PRO BOWL PRACTICE

LINK:  NFL PRO BOWL WEBSITE

Brown and Bettis -- NFL Hall of Fame Finalists

The NFL recently announced their "finalists" for the NFL Hall of Fame's Class of 2011 and two former Irish stars were among the 17 finalists -- Tim Brown and Jerome Bettis.  For Brown, this is his second year of Hall of Fame eligibility for the former Heisman Trophy winner.  He's a nine-time Pro Bowler, ranks fourth all-time with 1,094 receptions, and is sixth all-time with 100 receiving touchdowns.  This is Jerome Bettis' first year of eligibility for the NFL Hall of Fame.  The 2006 Super Bowl Champion, ranks fifth on the NFL's all time rushing list with 13,662 yards in 13 seasons.  To be elected into the NFL Hall of Fame you must have received approval from 80% of the NFL's 44-person committee -- which will gather in Dallas on February 5th to vote.   There is an online NFL Hall of Fame "Fan's Choice" voting contest going on right now -- it won't influence the committe's vote -- but, it's fun.  Here's a link to where you can vote for Tim and Jerome:

LINK:  VOTE FOR TIM BROWN AND JEROME BETTIS!

Ian Williams Playing in Senior Bowl Today!

Today will be the last time Ian Williams will wear his "GOLD HELMET" in a football game.  Williams, Notre Dame's lone representative in the Senior Bowl -- has spent the week under the tutelage of the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals coaching staff.  His position coach, Jay Hayes -- now in his eighth year with the Bengals -- was a Grad Assistant on Lou Holtz's staff during the 1988 National Championship season.  Kick-off is set for 4:00 PM EST today -- on the NFL NETWORK.  Ian's playing for the NORTH and will be wearing uniform #96.  Here's a link to William's profile for the Senior Bowl and a link to a Mock Draft analysis of his NFL Draft value:

LINK:  IAN WILLIAMS -- SENIOR BOWL PROFILE 

LINK:  IAN WILLIAMS -- NFL DRAFT VALUE

Taking Your iPad to Class @ Notre Dame

Notre Dame Assistant Professor Corey Angst (photo) - in the Mendoza College of Business, is receiving more and more national attention for his move to use iPads as textbooks in his classroom.  The Wall Street Journal is the latest to take notice to what's going on at Notre Dame.  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S IPAD CLASS

Six Coming Back for a Fifth in Gold Helmet!

Brian Kelly released the names of the players who have been invited to come back for a "fifth year" in the ND football program yesterday.  They are as follows;  Taylor Dever (OT), Andrew Nuss (OG), Gary Gray (DB), Harrison Smith (S), David Ruffer (PK) and Mike Ragone (TE).  This starts a "naming convention" that I'm not fond of called "FIFTH YEAR SENIORS."  Typically, every ND football player who's granted a fifth year has graduated on time and haS enrolled in grad school to continue their playing eligibility.  Thus -- they're FIRST YEAR GRAD STUDENTS.  I'd really like to see Notre Dame's Sports Information Department begin using this "description" when identifying these players.  Anyway -- here's a link to the South Bend Tribune story on the fifth year players:

LINK:  TAKING THE FIFTH

ND Athlete -- National Swimmer of the Week!

Frank Dyer (Loudonville, NY), was named the Counsilman-Hunsaker National College Swimmer of the Week by CollegeSwimming.com -- for his five wins in a meet against Northwestern and Cleveland State on January 12th.  The freshman was also named Big East Conference Swimmer of the Week.  Congratulations Frank!  Here's a a link to the UND.COM story:

LINK:  IRISH ATHLETE NAMED NATIONAL SWIMMER OF THE WEEK!