Media Reaction to ND's Recruiting Class

The University of Notre Dame's football program had quite a day yesterday -- landing one of the top recruiting classes in the country.  As has become custom around here at the ND GO IRISH BLOG -- I've taken a lap around the worldwide web to see what's being said about ND Football.  Just click on the links below:

LINK:  DAN WETZEL -- YAHOO SPORTS

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  INDIANAPOLIS STAR

LINK:  SPORTING NEWS

LINK:  THE OBSERVER

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  ESPN BLOG

LINK:  NBC SPORTS

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

Video of Eddie Vanderdoes Picking Notre Dame!

The University of Notre Dame picked up the top defensive tackle in America when Eddie Vanderdoes announced he would sign with the IRISH this evening.  Here's a link to a Sacramento TV station's coverage of the announcement -- along with a link to Eddie picking the ND hat!

Ironically, the TV reporter admitted his wife is a "Notre Dame alum" during the segment.  Click on the link below:

LINK:  EDDIE VANDERDOES PICKS NOTRE DAME -- KCRA-TV

LINK:  HAT SELECTION!

WOW! -- What a Recruiting Class for the IRISH!

Take a look at the job Coach Kelly and his staff did in putting together one of the top college football recruiting classes in the country!

• Half of the class was ranked among the top ten at their position in the country!  

• We took the TOP TWO PLAYERS out of CALIFORNIA!  

Here's the players ranked in the TOP TEN in the country at their position:

• The #1 ranked outside linebacker in the country -- Jaylon Smith
• The #1 ranked defensive tackle in the country -- Eddie Vanderdoes
• The #2 ranked athlete in the country -- Max Redfield
• The #2 ranked running back in the country -- Greg Bryant
• The #2 ranked offensive guard in the country -- John Montelus
• The #3 ranked quarterback in the country -- Malik Zaire
• The #5 ranked offensive tackle in the country -- Steve Elmer
• The #5 ranked offensive tackle in the country -- Hunter Bivin
• The #6 ranked running back in the country -- Tarean Folston
• The #9 ranked defensive back in the country -- Cole Luke
• The #10 ranked offensive tackle in the country -- Mike McGlinchey
• The #10 ranked defensive end in the country -- Isaac Rochell

In addition -- if you look at the STATE RANKINGS of each of these Notre Dame student-athletes -- here's where they stack up in the fifteen states (and the District of Columbia) represented in this 24 player class:

• The #1 ranked player in Michigan -- Elmer
• The #1 ranked player in California -- Vanderdoes
• The #1 ranked player in Massachussetts -- Montelus
• The #1 ranked player in Indiana -- Smith
• The #1 ranked player in Minnesota -- Onwualu
• The #2 ranked player in California -- Redfield
• The #2 ranked player in Kentucky -- Bivin

Eddie Vanderdoes Signs NLI with Notre Dame!

He's one of the top players in the country -- no matter the position -- and he just announced that he's going to wear the GOLD HELMET!  Eddie Vanderdoes, Placer High School (Auburn, CA) signed a National Letter of Intent this evening to play football for the University of Notre Dame.

• #1 defensive tackle in the country -- ESPN
• #6 player in the country --247Sports
• #1 player in the state of California -- ESPN

LINK:  RECRUITING PROFILE

LINK:  RIVALS REACTION TO VANDERDOSE SIGNING

LINK:  HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

LINK:  EDDIE VANDERDOES ARMY ALL-AMERICAN

Tarean Folston Signs NLI with Notre Dame!

Recruiting experts have him ranked as one of the top players in talent-rich Florida and one of the top running backs in the country.  Tarean Folston, Cocoa HS (Cocoa, FL) signed a National Letter of Intent today to play football for the University of Notre Dame.

• #6 ranked running back in the country -- ESPN
• #66 ranked player in the country -- ESPN

LINK:  RECRUITING PROFILE

LINK:  HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

LINK:  STORY ON TAREAN FOLSTON

The "Irish Mob" - Notre Dame's Recruiting Class

The University of Notre Dame has received the commitments of twenty-four of the top high school football players in the country today -- a recruiting class generally regarded as one of the top three in the nation.  Here's a look at the future of Notre Dame football:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S RECRUITING CLASS

Notre Dame Coaches Talk Recruiting Class

Coach Brian Kelly met with the media today -- along with a number of his assistant coaches -- to talk about the student-athletes who signed a National Letter of Intent to play football at the University of Notre Dame.  Here's the coverage that I've come across:

LINK:  COACH KELLY PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  COACH KELLY UND.COM SHOW

LINK:  COACH MARTIN

LINK:  COACH DIACO 

LINK:  COACH ALFORD

LINK:  COACH COOKS

Cole Luke Signs NLI with Notre Dame Today!

He's regarded as one of the top cornerback prospects coming out of high school football by recruiting experts.  Cole Luke, Hamilton HS (Chandler, AZ) signed a National Letter of Intent today to play football for the University of Notre Dame.

• #9 ranked cornerback in the country -- 247Sports
• #77 ranked play in the country -- 247Sports

LINK:  RECRUITING PROFILE

LINK:  HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

LINK:  STORY ON COLE LUKE

Max Redfield Signs NLI with Notre Dame Today!

He's considered one of the best safety prospects and top athletes in high school football by recruiting experts everywhere.  Max Redfield from Mission Viejo HS (Mission Viejo, CA) signed a National Letter of Intent to play football for the University of Notre Dame.

• #2 ranked athlete in the country -- ESPN
• #30 ranked player in the country

LINK:  RECRUITING PROFILE

LINK:  ESPN PROFILE VIDEO

Torii Hunter, Jr. Signs NLI with Notre Dame!

The name will be familiar to baseball fans around the world -- and he's one of the top wide receivers in the country.  Torii Hunter, Jr. signed a National Letter of Intent today to play football at the University of Notre Dame.

• #12 ranked wide receiver in the country -- ESPN
• #95 ranked player in the country -- ESPN

LINK:  RECRUITING PROFILE

LINK:  HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

LINK:  TORII HUNTER JR. INTERVIEW

Jaylon Smith Signs NLI with Notre Dame Today!

Recruiting experts everywhere believe he's one of the top players (at any position) in the country -- PERIOD.  Jaylon Smith from Bishop Luers HS (Fort Wayne, IN) signed a National Letter of Intent today to play football for the University of Notre Dame.

• #1 ranked OLB in the country -- Rivals
• #2 ranked player in the country --247Sports

LINK:  RECRUITING PROFILE

LINK:  RIVALS ANALYSIS

LINK:  HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

LINK:  STORY ON JAYLON SMITH

Greg Bryant Signs NLI With Notre Dame Today!

He's what recruiting sites call a FIVE STAR prospect -- one of the very best players at his position in the country.  Greg Bryant, a running back out of American Heritage School (Delray Beach, FL) signed a National Letter of Intent today to play football for the University of Notre Dame.

• #2 ranked running back in the country -- ESPN
• #19 ranked player in the country -- Rivals

Here's some background on Greg Bryant:

LINK:  RECRUITING PROFILE

LINK:  RIVALS ANALYSIS

LINK:  HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

LINK:  STORY ON GREG BRYANT

John McGlinchey Signs NLI with Notre Dame!

He will arrive at Notre Dame as the tallest football player to ever wear the GOLD HELMET!  John McGlinchey, William Penn Charter School (Philadelphia, PA) signed a National Letter of Intent today to play football at the University of Notre Dame.

• #10 ranked offensive tackle in the country -- 247Sports
• #131 ranked player in the country -- 247Sports

LINK:  RECRUITING PROFILE

LINK:  HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

LINK:  STORY ON MIKE McGLINCHEY

John Montelus Signs NLI with Notre Dame!

Recruiting experts rank him as one of the top offensive lineman in the country.  John Montelus, Everett High School (Everett, MA) signed a National Letter of Intent today to play football at the University of Notre Dame.

• #2 ranked offensive guard in the country -- Scout
• #74 ranked player in the country -- Rivals

LINK:  RECRUITING PROFILE

LINK:  HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

LINK:  STORY ON JOHN MONTELUS

Corey Robinson Signs NLI with Notre Dame!

 

His dad is one of the NBA's all-time great players and people -- yet football is this student-athlete's game.  Corey Robinson, San Antonio Christian HS (San Antonio, TX) enrolled last month at the University of Notre Dame.

• #43 ranked wide receiver in the country -- Scout

LINK:  RECRUITING PROFILE

LINK:  HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

LINK:  STORY ON COREY ROBINSON

James Onwualu Signs NLI with Notre Dame!

He's out of the same high school as Michael Floyd -- and, just like #3, he is the top ranked player coming out of Minnesota!  James Onuwalu, Cretin-Derham Hall HS (Saint Paul, MN) enrolled early last month at the University of Notre Dame.

• #21 ranked wide receiver in the country -- Rivals

LINK:  RECRUITING PROFILE

LINK:  HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

LINK:  STORY ON JAMES ONWUALU

Isaac Rochell Signs NLI with Notre Dame Today

He's one of the top defensive lineman in SEC country and he's coming to Notre Dame!  Isaac Rochell signed a National Letter of Intent today to play football for the University of Notre Dame.

• #10 ranked defensive end in the country -- Rivals
• #124 ranked player in the country -- Rivals

LINK:  RECRUITING PROFILE

LINK:  HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

LINK:  ISAAC ROCHELL INTERVIEW

LINK:  STORY ON ISAAC ROCHELL

Steve Elmer Signs NLI with Notre Dame Today!

He was selected the top high school football player in the state of Michigan and recruiting experts hail him as one of the top offensive linemen in the country.  Steve Elmer, who's already enrolled as a student at the University of Notre Dame, signed a National Letter of Intent to play football for the University of Notre Dame.

• #5 ranked offensive tackle in the country
• #60 ranked player in the country

LINK:  RECRUITING PROFILE

LINK:  HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

LINK:  STORY ON STEVE ELMER

Malik Zaire Signs NLI with Notre Dame Today!

He's one of the top QB's in the country with an accurate arm and the athletic ability to extend a play.  Malik Zaire, Archbishop Alter HS (Kettering, OH) enrolled early this past month at the University of Notre Dame.

• #3 ranked QB in the country -- Rivals
• #122 ranked player in the country -- Rivals

LINK:  RECRUITING PROFILE

LINK:  HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

LINK:  ELITE 11 CAMP VIDEO

LINK:  MALIK ZAIRE STORY

Doug Randolph Signs NLI with Notre Dame!

He is one of the top linebackers in the country -- sounds like a broken record, doesn't it!  Doug Randolph, Woodberry Forest School (Richmond, VA) signed a National Letter of Intent today to play football for the University of Notre Dame.

• #11 ranked outside linebacker in the country -- Rivals
• #134 ranked player in the country -- Rivals

LINK:  RECRUITING PROFILE

LINK:  HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

LINK:  STORY ON DOUG RANDOLPH