Notre Dame Football Recruiting: Brian Kelly's Top Five 2012 Recruits

After landing a top 10 recruiting class in his first year as the head coach of Notre Dame (according to Rivals.com), Brian Kelly is looking to build some early momentum in 2012 as he continues to raise the talent level in South Bend.

Kelly has already secured a total of 11 verbal commitments and will primarily focus on the defensive secondary and running back positions.

Four of the 11 recruits are rated as "4 star" players by Rivals.com while six have been designated as "3 star" recruits.

Let's take a look at the top five players so far in Kelly's 2012 class.

*Please note, Rivals.com was used for the rankings on each subsequent slide.*

Rivals.com 2012 Notre Dame Football Commitment List 

5. Justin Ferguson, WR, 6'2", 205 Pounds

Justin Ferguson is a wide receiver from Pembroke Pines, Florida who racked up 44 catches for 953 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior.

A big wide receiver, Ferguson will be one of many different players asked to help fill the gap left by the graduation of Michael Floyd in 2012. 

4. Taylor Decker, OL, 6'8", 270 Pounds

Taylor Decker is an offensive lineman from Vandalia, Ohio and is rated as a 4-star recruit by Rivals.com.

Decker is ranked as the 36th best offensive tackle in the country and Rivals.com national analyst Mike Farrell had the following to say:

"Decker is a huge lineman with a great frame to add good weight.  He is a very good athlete who can play with leverage and bend despite his height and who is surprisingly powerful in his lower body. He is an athletic kid who could be a home run in college and beyond if he fills out and develops."

http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1220734

3. Deontay Greenberry, WR, 6'3", 187 Pounds

Deontay Greenberry is a wide receiver from Frenso, California and is rated as a 4-star player by Rivals.com.  

Greenberry is ranked as the 17th best wide receiver in the nation and is another big receiver that will contribute right away as a freshman in 2012.

2. Ronald Darby, DB, 5'11", 172 Pounds

Ronald Darby is a cornerback from Oxon Hill, Maryland and is ranked as the seventh best cornerback in the nation, as well as the 64th best player overall.

Darby is one of four defensive backs to already pledge their allegiance to the Irish as Brian Kelly continues to fill his biggest "need" position.  

Darby will be asked to step in immediately in 2012 as both starting cornerbacks (Gary Gray and Robert Blanton) will graduate from Notre Dame after next season.

1. Tee Shephard, DB, 6'1", 180 Pounds

Tee Shephard is from Fresno, California. He is ranked as the fifth best cornerback in the country and the 51st best player overall.

Shephard certainly passes the "eye test" as he is blessed with the perfect combination of size and speed to play corner on Sundays five years from now.

Look for Shephard to compete for a starting spot as a freshman in 2012.