Notre Dame Football Recruiting: Ranking Top Recruits Brian Kelly Must Land Next

Brian Kelly has put together a top-10 recruiting class so far, but with a few weeks until National Signing Day, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish could make a huge leap if they're able to get some of nation's top players. 

As with every year, Notre Dame is able to gain interest from the best athletes in the country. The trick is getting them to actually sign with the Fighting Irish. Kelly has done a good job not only getting them but coaching them as well. 

Still, with verbal commitments meaning much less these days, Kelly has a lot of work to do to keep his recruits as well as get new ones. 

With that said, here are the top three recruits Kelly needs to get next to ensure the Fighting Irish get a complete class that's loaded from top to bottom. 

1.) Arik Armstead, DE 

Formerly the No. 1 overall recruit by Scout.com, Armstead is a fine prospect that is sure to shine throughout his college career. Don't fret, though, he was surpassed by Dorial Green-Beckham and is now considered the No. 2 overall recruit, so it's not as if he has fallen off or anything like that.  

Different sites have conflicting opinions on Armstead, but there's no denying he is a skilled lineman. Listed at 6'8", 280 pounds, Armstead will get bigger and stronger, making him even more of a force wherever he ends up. 

Armstead recently took to Twitter to share that his top schools are Cal, Oregon, Notre Dame and Auburn.

The Fighting Irish are up against stiff competition, but Notre Dame easily has the most tradition of those schools, and will give him great exposure. 

Armstead is going to be a dominant player wherever he lands, and if it's Notre Dame, the Fighting Irish should consider themselves very lucky because Armstead has potential to be a star immediately. 

2.) Stefon Diggs, ATH 

Listed at 6'0" and 185 pounds, Diggs is a tremendously athlete that will make a huge impact wherever he ends up.

Should it be Notre Dame, the Fighting Irish will feel much better knowing they have a playmaker that can replace Michael Floyd.

Diggs has the skills to be a wide receiver, running back and exceptional returner. The incoming freshman will be a big difference maker, which is exactly why Kelly needs to push hard to land Diggs.

According to Derek Tyson of ESPN, Diggs will wait until after National Signing Day to decide between Notre Dame, Florida, Cal, Auburn, USC, Maryland, Ohio State and Virginia.

The Huntsville Times reports that Diggs said his best visit yet was with the Tigers, but he still has other places to see.

Since Diggs is certain to be a dynamic star at the college level, and a player that Fighting Irish are in dire need of.

3.) Ronald Darby, CB 

Darby was once thought to be headed to Notre Dame, but he recently de-committed and opened his recruitment back up. 

He makes the top three because he is an exceptional talent at cornerback, and the Fighting Irish need to get him back. 

Notre Dame is looking at other corners, such as Yuri Wright, but with Darby's speed and return skills, he is a higher priority that Wright. Plus, he clearly likes Notre Dame since he once gave them a verbal, but he felt he committed too early.

Darby is hoping to run track as well, which is why he's looking at other schools like Clemson, Florida State, Auburn and LSU. 

This doesn't help Notre Dame, but since the Fighting Irish have excelled in bringing back recruits that have once de-committed, you have to like their chances of getting Darby again. 

Notre Dame is still on his list, and it would greatly benefit them if they were able to land such a skilled player.