Notre Dame Recruiting 2012: 5-Star Recruits That Could be Headed to South Bend

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Notre Dame has a buzz entering the 2011 season and it has worked well for the Irish on the recruiting trail. Right now as it stands, the Irish are on pace for a top 10-15 class and could finish even higher.

Of course there final recruiting class ranking would be immensely helped by snagging up a couple more 5-star prospects. But which 5-star recruits are seriously looking at playing in South Bend?

Let's find out.

5. Andrus Peat, OT

This will be a running theme during this piece, as there are several OL prospects rated at 5-stars that ND is in the hunt for.

Peat is one of the nation's top overall players and boasts almost 40 offers. He has paid an unofficial visit to South Bend and loved what he saw. 

Yet, Nebraska and Michigan are also in the hunt as are several other big name programs. There is a solid chance Notre Dame will get an official visit from Peat, but it won't likely come until after his season is over.

4. Zach Banner, OT

Another OT. Yes, it seems like the Irish are trying to stock up on OL prospects this year. What I also like is that they're big name, big game hunting because the OL they'e after are among the elite in the nation.

Banner is a huge OT at 6'9", 305 pounds, and has an impressive list of offers. From Florida State to Alabama to Michigan to Notre Dame, Banner will have choice of options.

The Irish are in good standing with the big OT, and if they continue to work they have a good chance to get him in for one of Banner's five allotted official visits.

3. Josh Garnett, OL

Garnett is listed an OL because he can play both OG and OT. Some schools say he's athletic enough to play on the edges, while other are adamant that he's an OG.

Garnett also claims that playing on the DL is appealing to him as well. However, it seems like the Irish like him as an OL prospect and he likely will pay South Bend a visit this fall.

Garnett says that a major role in his decision will be academics, and Notre Dame is known as a fine university.

2. Noah Spence, DE

Perhaps the best pure pass rusher in the country, Spence is a 5-star DE prospect with great play, speed, and athleticism. His offer list is pretty wide, yet he is keen on schools like North Carolina, Penn State, North Carolina State, Maryland and USC.

The Irish are another school that round out his final seven schools. Spence told Scout.com that he grew watching ND football as a kid, comes from a Catholic high school, plus likes the Irish tradition, academics and family atmosphere.

Solid chance Notre Dame gets a visit.

1. Keith Marshall, RB

Marshall may be the Irish' No.1 target right now. They are on the 5-star RB very hard and he is also pretty mutually interested.

He scheduled to visit South Bend in October when the Golden Domers host arch rival, USC, whom Marshall is also considering to some degree.

It may tough to get Marshall away from his local SEC powers, but a great visit to Notre Dame could be just the trick to land him.