Signing Stories: Notre Dame's Bo Wallace

Took a lap around the worldwide web this evening to see what the various "local" media outlets had to say about a few of the 24 recruits who committed to play football for the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame...

Here is a story in the Times Picayune about Bo Wallace:

LINK:  BO WALLACE -- TIMES PICAYUNE

Signing Stories: Notre Dame's Shaun Crawford

Took a lap around the worldwide web this evening to see what the various "local" media outlets had to say about a few of the 24 recruits who committed to play football for the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame...

Here is a story in the Cleveland Plain Dealer about Shaun Crawford:

LINK:  SHAUN CRAWFORD -- CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER

Signing Stories: Notre Dame's Dexter Williams

Took a lap around the worldwide web this evening to see what the various "local" media outlets had to say about a few of the 24 recruits who committed to play football for the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame...

Here is a story in the Orlando Sentinel about Dexter Williams:

LINK:  DEXTER WILLIAMS -- ORLANDO SENTINEL

Notre Dame #10 -- "Best Colleges Nationwide"

The University of Notre Dame was ranked #10 by COLLEGE FACTUAL --  a data-driven college choice resource -- ranking the top undergraduate institutions in the country.

“These rankings are based on a pure and distinct focus on data,” says Bill Phelan, co-founder and CEO of College Factual, which aims to help students make better career and college decisions. “We don’t count previous reputations … providing a more unbiased view.”

LINK:  RANKINGS

Brian Kelly Talks Notre Dame Recruiting Class

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame put the finishing touches on a recruiting class that numbers 24 from 15 states...

Here's what Head Coach Brian Kelly had to say about his future Fighting Irish:

LINK:  PRESS CONFERENCE

Notre Dame FB Recap: National Signing Day

The Fighting Irish "inked" twenty more student-athletes to National Letters of Intent today -- taking this recruiting class to a total of 24 when you add in the four early enrollees.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• They hail from 15 states
• The farthest "commute" to campus goes to C.J. Sanders -- he'll be 2,062 miles from his home in Granada Hills, CA
• The shortest "commute" to campus goes to Josh Barjas -- he'll be 56 miles from his home in Valparaiso, IN
• 16 of the 24 recruits earned ALL-AMERICAN recognition
• Jaylen Guyton, Josh Barajas, Brandon Wimbush, Alize Jones, Nicco Fertitta, Shaun Crawford, Bo Wallace, Mykelti Williams, Asmar Bilal, Tristen Hoge -- won at least one STATE CHAMPIONSHIP -- many of them won MULTIPLE STATE TITLES

RANKINGS OF NOTRE DAME'S RECRUITING CLASS:

SCOUT -- RANKED ND'S CLASS #7

RIVALS -- RANKED ND'S CLASS #11 

247 -- RANKED ND'S CLASS #13

ESPN -- RANKED ND'S CLASS #13

MAXPREPS -- RANKED ND'S CLASS #13

Notre Dame Commitment in THREE Languages

Equanimeous St. Brown -- already on DAY ONE, one of the great names in Notre Dame history -- made his college decision LIVE on ESPNU this afternoon...

To say he made quite a first impression -- would be an understatement.

How about making your college choice in THREE LANGUAGES -- English, German and even French -- quite appropriate for the University of Notre Dame du Lac

LINK:  EQUANIMEOUS ANNOUNCEMENT

Welcome to ND: Equanimeous St. Brown

Equanimeous St. Brown (Anaheim, CA) signed a National Letter of Intent this afternoon to play football for the Fighting Irish.  St. Brown, a wide receiver, selected Notre Dame over USC, UCLA, Utah, Arizona State, LSU, etc.

UNDER ARMOUR ALL-AMERICAN

• 6'-5" / 205 lbs.
• Wide Receiver

LINK:  NOTRE DAME PROFILE

LINK:  SI STORY

LINK:  ESPN RECRUITING PROFILE

Welcome to Notre Dame: Alize Jones

Alize Jones (Las Vegas, NV) signed a National Letter of Intent today to play football for the Fighting Irish!  Jones, the nation's #1 TE, chose Notre Dame over USC, UCLA, Arizona State, Tennessee and Baylor to name a few...

US ARMY ALL-AMERICAN

• 6'-5" / 220 lbs.
• Tight End

LINK:  NOTRE DAME PROFILE

LINK:  LAS VEGAS SUN -- STORY

LINK:  ESPN RECRUITING PROFILE

Welcome to Notre Dame: Dexter Williams

Dexter Williams (Winter Park, FL) signed a National Letter of Intent today to play football for the Fighting Irish.  Williams, one of the top five running backs in the country, selected Notre Dame over Miami (FL), Florida, Michigan, Ohio State, USC, Texas A&M, etc.

ESPN TOP 100

• 6'-0" / 190 lbs
• Running Back

LINK:  NOTRE DAME PROFILE

LINK:  ORLANDO SENTINEL -- STORY

LINK:  ESPN RECRUITING PROFILE

Welcome to Notre Dame: Nicco Fertitta

Nico Fertitta (Las Vegas, NV) signed a National Letter of Intent to play football for the Fighting Irish!  Fertitta, a safety, selected Notre Dame over Arizona, Indiana, Utah, etc.

ALL-STATE NEVADA 

• 5'-9" / 175 lbs.
• Safety

LINK:  NOTRE DAME PROFILE

LINK:  LAS VEGAS SUN STORY

LINK:  ESPN RECRUITING PROFILE

Welcome to Notre Dame: Nick Coleman

Nick Coleman (Ketttering, OH) signed a National Letter of Intent this morning to play football for the Fighting Irish!  Coleman, a defensive back, chose Notre Dame over Michigan State, Pittsburgh, Illinois, etc.

ALL-STATE OHIO

• 5'-11 / 175 lbs
• Defensive Back

LINK:  NOTRE DAME PROFILE

LINK:  ABC-22 STORY

LINK:  ESPN RECRUITING PROFILE

Welcome to Notre Dame: Brandon Wimbush

Brandon Wimbush (Jersey City, NJ) signed his National Letter of Intent today to play football for the Fighting Irish.  Wimbush, a quarterback, picked Notre Dame over Ohio State, Penn State, Tennessee, LSU and Michigan State to name a very few...

UNDER ARMOUR ALL-AMERICAN

• 6'-2" / 215 lbs.
• Quarterback

LINK:  NOTRE DAME PROFILE

LINK:  NEW JERSEY STORY -- VIDEO

LINK:  ESPN RECRUITING PROFILE

Welcome to Notre Dame: Shaun Crawford

Shaun Crawford (Lakewood, OH) signed a National Letter of Intent today to play football for the Fighting Irish!  Crawford, a defensive back, chose Notre Dame over Ohio State, Florida State, Michigan and Tennessee to name a very few...

UNDER ARMOUR ALL-AMERICAN

• 5'-10" / 170 lbs.
• Defensive Back / Returner

LINK:  NOTRE DAME PROFILE

LINK:  CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER -- STORY

LINK:  ESPN RECRUITING PROFILE

Welcome to Notre Dame: Bo Wallace

Bo Wallace (River Ridge, LA) signed a National Letter of Intent this morning to play football for the Fighting Irish!  Wallace, a defensive end, selected Notre Dame over Florida State, Oklahoma, Texas, etc.

SEMPER FI ALL-AMERICAN

• 6'-4" / 202 lbs
• Defensive End

LINK:  NOTRE DAME PROFILE

LINK:  NOLA STORY

LINK:  ESPN RECRUITING PROFILE

Welcome to Notre Dame: C.J. Sanders

C.J. Sanders (Sherman Oaks, CA) signed a National Letter of Intent today to play football for the Fighting Irish!  Sanders, a wide receiver, selected Notre Dame over USC, UCLA, Georgia, Stanford and Tennessee to name a few...

SEMPER FI ALL-AMERICAN

• 5'-10" / 176 lbs.
• Wide Receiver / Returner

LINK:  NOTRE DAME PROFILE

LINK:  CARSON CITY --- STORY

LINK:  ESPN RECRUITING PROFILE

Welcome to Notre Dame: Josh Barajas

Josh Barajas (Merrillville, IN) signed a National Letter of Intent today to play football for the Fighting Irish. Barajas, a linebacker, picked Notre Dame over Michigan, Oregon, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Penn State to name a few...

US ARMY ALL-AMERICAN

• 6'-3" / 210 lbs.
• Linebacker

LINK:  NOTRE DAME PROFILE

LINK:  THE TIMES -- STORY

LINK:  ESPN RECRUITING PROFILE

Welcome to Notre Dame: Ashton White

Ashton White (Foretsville, MD) signed a National Letter of Intent today to play football for the Fighting Irish.  White, a defensive back, selected Notre Dame over Ohio State, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, etc.

CRAB BOWL ALL-STAR

• 5'-11" / 170 lbs.
• Defensive Back

LINK:  NOTRE DAME PROFILE

LINK:  WASHINGTON POST -- STORY & VIDEO

LINK:  ESPN RECRUITING PROFILE

Welcome to Notre Dame: Brandon Tiassum

Brandon Tiassum (Indianapolis, IN) signed a National Letter of Intent this morning to play football for the Fighting Irish.  Tiassum, a defensive tackle, selected Notre Dame over Miami (FL), Louisville, Indiana, etc.

SEMPER FI ALL-AMERICAN

• 6'-4" / 297
• Defensive Tackle

LINK:  NOTRE DAME PROFILE

LINK:  INDY STAR STORY

LINK:  ESPN RECRUITING PROFILE

Welcome to Notre Dame: Miles Boykin

Miles Boykin (Tinley Park, IL) signed a National Letter of Intent this morning to play football for the Fighting Irish.  Boykin, a wide receiver, picked Notre Dame over Florida, Michigan, Ohio State, Michigan State, etc.

SEMPER FI ALL-AMERICAN

• 6'-4" / 212 lbs
• Wide Receiver

LINK:  NOTRE DAME PROFILE

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE STORY

LINK:  ESPN RECRUITING PROFILE

Welcome to Notre Dame: Mykelti Williams

Mykelti Williams (Indianapolis, IN) signed a National Letter of Intent this morning to play football for the Fighting Irish!  Williams, a safety, selected Notre Dame over Mississippi State, Minnesota, Ole Miss, Louisville, etc

ALL-STATE INDIANA

• 5'-11 / 193 lbs
• Safety

LINK:  NOTRE DAME PROFILE

LINK:  INDIANAPOLIS STAR STORY

LINK:  ESPN RECRUITING PROFILE

Welcome to Notre Dame: Trevor Ruhland

Trevor Ruhland (Cary, IL) signed a National Letter of Intent today to play football for the Fighting Irish!  Ruhland, an offensive lineman, selected Notre Dame over California, Illinois, Nebraska, etc.

ALL-STATE ILLINOIS

• 6'-4" / 270 lbs.
• Offensive Guard

LINK:  NOTRE DAME PROFILE

LINK:  NEWS SENTINEL STORY

LINK:  ESPN RECRUITING PROFILE

Welcome to Notre Dame: Elijah Taylor

Elijah Taylor (Cincinnati, OH) signed a National Letter of Intent today to play football for the Fighting Irish.  Taylor, a defensive tackle, selected Notre Dame over Michigan, Michigan State, West Virginia, etc.

ALL-STATE OHIO

• 6'-3" / 275 lbs.
• Defensive Tackle

LINK:  NOTRE DAME PROFILE

LINK:  CINCINNATI.COM STORY

LINK:  ESPN RECRUITING PROFILE

Welcome to Notre Dame: Asmar Bilal

Asmar Bilal (Indianapolis, IN) signed a National Letter of Intent today to play football for the Fighting Irish!  Bilal, a linebacker, chose Notre Dame over Michigan, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Michigan State to name a few...

US ARMY ALL-AMERICAN

• 6'-3" / 205 lbs.
• Linebacker

LINK:  NOTRE DAME PROFILE

LINK:  INDIANAPOLIS STAR STORY

LINK:  ESPN RECRUITING PROFILE

Welcome to Notre Dame: Justin Yoon

Justin Yoon (Milton, MA) signed a National Letter of Intent this morning to play football for the Fighting Irish.  Yoon, the #1 ranked kicker in the country, selected Notre Dame over Boston College, Texas A&M and Northwestern.

UNDER ARMOUR ALL-AMERICAN

• 5'-11" / 183 lbs
• Kicker

LINK:  NOTRE DAME PROFILE

LINK:  BOSTON HERALD STORY

LINK:  ESPN RECRUITING PROFILE

Welcome to Notre Dame: Josh Adams

Josh Adams (Warrington, PA) signed a National Letter of Intent today to play football for the Fighting Irish!  Adams, a running back, selected Notre Dame over Penn State, Pittsburgh, Stanford, etc.

ALL-STATE PENNSYLVANIA

• 6'-2" / 200 lbs
• Running Back

LINK:  NOTRE DAME PROFILE

LINK:  THE INTELLIGENCER STORY

LINK:  ESPN RECRUITING PROFILE

Welcome to Notre Dame: Jaylen Guyton

Jaylen Guyton (Allen, TX) signed a National Letter of Intent today to play football for the Fighting Irish!  Guyton, a wide receiver, picked Notre Dame over Arizona State, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Clemson and Baylor to name a very few...

THREE-TIME TEXAS STATE CHAMPION

• 6'-0" / 185 lbs.
• Wide Receiver

LINK:  NOTRE DAME PROFILE

LINK:  ALLEN AMERICAN -- STORY

LINK:  ESPN RECRUITING PROFILE

Welcome to Notre Dame: Micah Dew-Treadway

Micah Dew-Treadway (Bollingbrook, IL) arrived on campus a couple of weeks ago -- enrolling in January.  The defensive end picked Notre Dame over Mississippi State, Wisconsin, Virginia to name a few...

SEMPER FI ALL-AMERICAN

• 6'-4" / 269 lbs. 
• Defensive End

LINK:  NOTRE DAME PROFILE

LINK:  ROMEOVILLE PATCH -- STORY

LINK:  ESPN RECRUITING PROFILE

Welcome to Notre Dame: Tristen Hoge

Tristen Hoge (Pocatello, ID) arrived on campus a couple of weeks ago -- enrolling in early January. Hoge, the nation's #1 center, picked Notre Dame over Florida, UCLA, LSU, Stanford, Penn State to name a very few...

US ARMY ALL-AMERICAN

• 6'-5" / 291 lbs. 
• Center

LINK:  NOTRE DAME PROFILE

LINK:  IDAHO STATESMAN -- STORY

LINK:  ESPN RECRUITING PROFILE

Welcome to Notre Dame: Jerry Tillery

Jerry Tillery (Shreveport, LA) arrived on campus a few weeks ago -- enrolling in January.  The defensive tackle, who committed to the Irish nearly 18 months ago, picked Notre Dame over LSU, Stanford, Alabama, etc.

US ARMY ALL-AMERICAN 

• 6'-6" / 317 lbs.
• Defensive Tackle

LINK:  NOTRE DAME PROFILE

LINK:  NOLA -- STORY

LINK:  ESPN RECRUITING PROFILE

Welcome to Notre Dame: Te'Von Coney

Te'Von Coney (Palm Beach Gardens, FL) arrived on campus a couple of weeks ago -- enrolling in January.  The "four-star" middle linebacker picked Notre Dame over Florida, Alabama, Auburn, Georgia and Ohio State -- to name a very few...

UNDER ARMOUR ALL-AMERICAN 

• 6'-1" / 222 lbs. 
• Linebacker

LINK:  NOTRE DAME PROFILE

LINK:  PALM BEACH POST STORY / VIDEO

LINK:  ESPN RECRUITING PROFILE

Notre Dame's National Signing Day Coverage

Tomorrow is a 'national holiday' of sorts for many college football fans around the country - it is NATIONAL SIGNING DAY!  The day America's top high school football players announce their college destinations...

SCHEDULE:

• NOON ET:  Signing Day Special -- hour show (linked below)
• 3:15 PM ET:  Coach Kelly Press Conference  (linked below)

Notre Dame's coverage at WATCH ND -- begins at NOON ET.  You can watch it LIVE at the link below:

LINK:  NATIONAL SIGNING DAY -- NOTRE DAME 
 

Reputation Driving College Hoops Rankings

Let's look at two teams currently ranked in the TOP TEN this week -- one team will be called TEAM A and the other will be called TEAM B...

• TEAM A has three losses this season
• TEAM B has three losses this season

• TEAM A has beat 3 ranked teams
• TEAM B has beat 4 ranked teams

• TEAM A has 3 losses by a total of 11 points
• TEAM B has 3 losses by a total of 32 points

• TEAM A beat TEAM B
• TEAM A beat the other two teams that beat TEAM B 

• TEAM A is 4 - 2 against like opponents with TEAM B
• TEAM B is 4 - 2 against like opponents with TEAM A

• TEAM A is in 2nd place in same conference as TEAM B
• TEAM B is in 5th place in same conference as TEAM A 

One of the teams is ranked #10 in the country and the other is ranked #4 in the country -- in today's AP POLL.

Which team is ranked #4?  Is it TEAM A or TEAM B...

LINK:  THE ANSWER

OT: How "Far is Far" to a Notre Dame Parent?

Those of you who follow the ND GO IRISH BLOG on a regular basis have seen stories over the past year that I've posted from a South Bend resident named Rick Becker.  Rick's son Ben is a freshman at the University of Notre Dame.

Rick recently was asked by a METLIFE agent "if his son attended college more than 100 miles away" from home -- as they negotiated a discounted auto insurance policy.

You'll enjoy this story...

Thanks for sharing Rick!

LINK:  AN OPEN LETTER TO METLIFE

OT: Must Read Story for a Day Like Today...

If you think a little snow in the Midwest made your morning commute a little difficult -- read this story.

James Robertson walks a total of 21 miles a day to get to and from his job in suburban Detroit.  (FOURTEEN TOTAL HOURS A DAY -- COMMUTE TIME)

When you get done reading Robertson's story -- read the second link, on how a community has come to his aid...

LINK:  WALKING MAN

LINK:  FOLLOW-UP STORY

LINK:  GOOD MORNING AMERICA

Now 41 Domers Have Won Super Bowl Rings!

The New England Patriots win over Seattle last night earned two more former Notre Dame student-athletes SUPER BOWL RINGS.

Jonas Gray and Darius Fleming (Fleming is #58 in the photos above) have become the 40th and 41st former Fighting Irish players who have at least one Super Bowl ring.

You've got to love Darius' post on INSTAGRAM around midnight -- along with the photo he posted of his Dad after the game.

CONGRATS!

A Special Moment for Domers Bettis & Brown

Jerome Bettis and Tim Brown (photo above) will become the 11th and 12th former Notre Dame student-athletes to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame...

Here was last night's announcement -- along with a video of the family of Tim Brown in their hotel room when he learns he's in the HALL OF FAME and Jerome Bettis' emotional reaction...

LINK:  HALL OF FAMERS -- ANNOUNCEMENT

LINK:  BROWN FAMILY

LINK:  JEROME BETTIS

Do Gray and Fleming Become "40 & 41" Today?

39 former Notre Dame student-athletes have won a SUPER BOWL ring -- today, Jonas Gray and Darius Fleming -- could add to that total!

Jonas wears #35 and Darius wears #58 for the Patriots...

Here is a video message from Coach Kelly to Jonas and Darius:

LINK:  COACH KELLY

LINK:  JONAS GRAY -- SUPER BOWL

LINK:  DARIUS FLEMING -- SUPER BOWL

Domer Tim Brown a NFL HALL OF FAMER!!!

It's about time!

Former Notre Dame All-American Tim Brown just became the 12th Fighting Irish football player to be elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame!

He's also the NINTH former Heisman Trophy winner to earn such an honor.

Congratulations TIM!!!

LINK:  HALL OF FAMER!

Domer Jerome Bettis NFL HALL OF FAMER!!!

WPXI in Pittsburgh just broke the news that former Notre Dame All-American Jerome Bettis will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame!!!

It will be announced officially at 9 PM ET on NFL HONORS on NBC.

Jerome becomes the 11th former member of the Fighting Irish to earn this great honor!

Congratulations to THE BUS!

LINK:  BREAKING NEWS

Domer Kendall Moore '14 Named Team Captain

Former Notre Dame student-athlete Kendall Moore '14, who was suspended from football this past season -- was named a Team Captain for today's College Gridiron Showcase in Arlington, TX.  He posted this photo and caption on his Instagram account -- see link below.

You can watch the game live -- on the web -- beginning at 2:30 PM ET TODAY.

Moore, gave an interview to the South Bend Tribune's Eric Hansen this week where he talked about his experience as one of the five suspended players -- see link below:

LINK:  WATCH GAME -- LIVE RIGHT HERE

LINK:  MOORE:  "ND TREATED US FAIRLY"

LINK:  KENDALL MOORE INSTAGRAM

Domer Tuck Recruiting Suh to Oakland Raiders

Former Notre Dame All-American Justin Tuck is down in Phoenix this week enjoying the spoils of being a Super Bowl Champion -- meeting with the assembled media.

Well, he started a recruiting pitch for Ndamukong Suh...

LINK:  TUCK RECRUITING

Rankings of Notre Dame Teams in Season

Here's the current rankings of Notre Dame teams currently in season -- EIGHT TEAMS RANKED IN THE TOP TWENTY (6 IN THE TOP 10) -- pretty impressive!

• WOMEN'S FENCING:  #1 IN THE COUNTRY
• MEN'S LACROSSE:  #2 IN THE COUNTRY
• MEN'S FENCING:  #2 IN THE COUNTRY
• WOMEN'S BASKETBALL:  #4 IN THE COUNTRY
• MEN'S BASKETBALL:  #8 IN THE COUNTRY
• WOMEN'S LACROSSE:  #9 IN THE COUNTRY
• MEN'S TENNIS:  #14 IN THE COUNTRY
• WOMEN'S TENNIS:  #20 IN THE COUNTRY