Notre Dame Football Recruiting: Unsigned Targets That Would Wake Up the Echoes

While Notre Dame's 2012 recruiting class is good, there are still pending players that can make it a truly special group. 

These stars will not only be helpful for Notre Dame on the field, but signing them would also potentially take them away from some the Irish's key rivals. 

Nelson Agholor, WR

With the signing of Gunner Kiel, Notre Dame will certainly need to bring in some of the country's best receivers. Agholor certainly qualifies. With nearly 2,000 yards rushing and 28 touchdowns in his senior season, Agholor is certainly a threat when he gets the ball in hand. 

The move to receiver will only make things better. At 6'2", 180 pounds, Agholor is a little too tall for the running back position in college, as the better competition will get in and force fumbles against the taller backs. Also, since he's only 180 pounds, the grind of playing running back would take its toll. 

But on the outside, Agholor has the size and athleticism to be a perfect fit. At 6'2", he has the size to be deadly on fade routes, while his prolific career as back shows that when he has the ball in his hands, Agholor is a genuine threat to score.

Arik Armstead, DE

If Armstead goes to South Bend, opposing quarterbacks are going to be in fear before ever stepping onto the field.

On the inside, there's the already-committed Jarron Jones, who stands 6'7". Not to be outdone is the 6'8" Armstead. Look at it this way: If these players develop no pass-rushing skills for the college game, they will be forces just by putting their arms in the air. 

Even tall quarterbacks stand two to three inches shorter than Jones and Armstead, and would have a hard time finding the open man. 

Consider that and think about how deadly they will be with actual pass-rushing skills. Instead of being stuck on the line, they'll be in the face of opposing quarterbacks. That is the kind of player that records sacks, but also forces bad passes, which leads to interceptions. 

Ronald Darby, DB

Darby runs a sub 4.4-40, and at 5'11", is not at all undersized for a defensive back. Those are two key ingredients for an explosive, dynamic player. 

Notre Dame certainly had issues defending the big pass play at times during the 2011 season. That showed up against Michigan, USC, Florida State and Stanford. With the exception of Stanford, every one of those games was a loss that should have been a win. 

With Darby, that luck will change. He'll not only stay on his man, but will also create opportunities for the Irish with turnovers. With 4.37 speed, look for some of those turnovers to end up in the end zone.

Main picture courtesy of bay9news.com.

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