Notre Dame Football Recruiting: The Biggest Remaining 2012 Needs for the Irish

Notre Dame is just one of those schools that never seems to have a problem bringing in top recruiting classes. Even when the football team is struggling to win games and the coach is under constant reminders about his job security, the top players are still lined up outside the door.

There aren't too many schools that are on the same level as Notre Dame is when it comes to recruiting and bringing in elite talent.

But even with that said, they still have holes to fill and plenty of work to do, as they try and climb their way back to the top of the college football world.

Here are a few of the biggest needs the Irish still need to fill.

Cornerback

I mean, seriously, is there any team out there that is struggling more in the secondary than Notre Dame is right now? They're losing both of their starting cornerbacks and starting safeties, not to mention a backup safety.

The Irish have landed a top cornerback already in Tee Shepard, but he won't be able to do it all.

Another top corner in Ronald Darby had given his verbal commitment, but backed out and is exploring his options. Notre Dame remains on the list, as he's also looking at schools like Alabama, Auburn, Florida State and Clemson.

Notre Dame needs as much help as they can get at this position. If Darby commits once again, they'll be in better shape. Until then, they need some serious help in the secondary.

Linebacker

The Irish do have Manti Te'o returning for his senior year, but they are losing Darius Fleming. And what do they do when Te'o graduates next season? In recruiting, the only middle linebacker they've landed is Nick Baratti, but he also plays the safety position, as well as quarterback. It'd always be nice to add depth when he can really end up playing anywhere on the field.

With top linebackers still out there like Brian Nance and Reggie Northrup, the Irish need to make a serious push for one of them.

Defensive End

With Ethan Johnson on his way out, somebody has to be able to step in and take over to create pressure on the quarterback. The Irish struggled last season to sack the quarterback and the only defensive end they've landed this year is Romeo Okwara.

Notre Dame has extended several offers to some of the top defensive ends in this years class and all of them have turned them down. The only three that remain are Ken Ekanem, Kenderius Whitehead and Alex McCalister.

Hopefully for the sake of the Irish, they can seal the deal on one of those top players.

 

Randy Chambers is a B/R Featured Columnist that covers College Football and the NFL. You can contact him @Randy_Chambers or [e-mail]