Notre Dame Recruiting 2012: Will Arik Armstead Sign with the Irish on NSD?

The stunning addition of top quarterback prospect Gunner Kiel to Notre Dame’s 2012 recruiting class was a major boost to what was already shaping up to be one of the 10-best recruiting classes in the country this year.

Still, just because coach Brian Kelly was able to pull off one of the biggest recruiting coups of the year, that doesn’t mean he’s about to just sit back and coast to the finish line.

Kelly knows there’s still plenty of work to be done between now and National Signing Day on Feb. 1.

The coach has to make sure that all of his top current commits like WR Deontay Greenberry, RB William Mahone and S Elijah Shumate stay secured with the Irish, and don't get lured away by some school looking to make a last-second run at them and steal them away.

Plus, Kelly also has some work to do trying to convince some of the top-rated uncommitted recruits in the country that South Bend is the place for them.

One such recruit is OT/DE Arik Armstead, a former USC commit, who is now said to be choosing from Auburn, Notre Dame and Oregon.

It’s been a long recruiting journey for Armstead, one that will reportedly end on National Signing Day, which is when he’s now apparently set to announce his decision.

The 6’8’’, 280-pound, four-star prospect is one of the top recruits left on the market, and Kelly would love to land the athletic and versatile lineman to add some stability and depth to the trenches in South Bend.

Armstead has the diverse skill set to play either offensive tackle or defensive end in Notre Dame’s 3-4 system, and a player of his caliber would be a valuable addition to the roster.

The two-sport standout, who is also a dominant basketball player for California’s Pleasant Grove High School, was rumored to be very interested in Cal before the departure of defensive line coach Tosh Lupoi, a move that looks like it could have a major impact on the Bears’ 2012 recruiting class.

Armstead hasn’t really given much indication as to where he may be leaning with just a few weeks left before his announcement, but Notre Dame should be right in the mix for his services.

If Kelly can find a way to ultimately land the highly touted high school prospect, it will be interesting to see where Armstead fits into the equation at Notre Dame.

Sophomores Stephon Tuitt and Aaron Lynch seem to be entrenched as the starting defensive ends for the next few years, and junior Zack Martin has the tackle position locked down.