Robert Beal to Notre Dame: Fighting Irish Land 4-Star DE Prospect

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish continue to put together a quality football recruiting class for 2017.

Robert Beal, a defensive end from Norcross, Georgia, has committed to play for head coach Brian Kelly's Fighting Irish, according to Scout.com's Chad Simmons.

Beal chose Notre Dame over 22 other schools that presented him with offers, according to 247Sports, which lists him as the third-best weak-side pass-rusher in the entire class. He became the fourth 4-star recruit to commit to Notre Dame's 2017 recruiting class and the fifth overall.

The edge-rusher from Norcross High School chose Notre Dame over the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Baylor, Florida and Michigan.

Simmons said Beal's current rankings can be deceiving, because he's still getting better:

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He has a great frame and he has added about 15 pounds since last season, he is really getting stronger, and with that weight and strength, he is becoming a better all-around football player.  In 2015, he has shown the ability to push big offensive linemen backwards, disengage, and make a play on the ball.  He can still improve his consistency in the pad level department, but it has gotten better.

With his size, length, and athleticism, he can really close on the ball.  One of his biggest strengths is still his speed and quickness in pursuit.  His length is a big asset too.  He is really learning how to use it to his advantage to keep offensive linemen off his body.

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Beal's decision to go to Notre Dame is another big-time get for Kelly. He's already gotten 2017 verbals from offensive tackles Dillan Gibbons and Joshua Lugg, and the addition of Beal means Kelly is determined to focus on the trenches.

Those two will join 4-star offensive linemen Tommy Kraemer and Liam Eichenberg from the 2016 class.

Notre Dame has also gotten 2017 commitments from tight ends Brock Wright (Cypress, Texas) and Cole Kmet (Arlington Heights, Illinois).