Notre Dame Football Recruiting: Skill Positions Still on Hook for Fighting Irish

Notre Dame made arguably the biggest splash on the recruiting trail this year when they landed Gunner Kiel.

The No. 1 recruit is already taking classes in South Bend and is fully expected to challenge Tommy Rees and Andrew Hendrix as the possible starter for the Irish in 2012.

It was a huge surprise and one that will dominate Notre Dame story lines for quite a bit of time.

But landing Kiel doesn't erase the other Irish needs.

Notre Dame just had the most prolific receiver in school history, Michael Floyd, complete his career in South Bend, and now they have a major need for a star receiver.

The secondary, especially on the corners, is also a major need.

Coach Brian Kelly has done a solid job of adding talent on both his offensive and defensive lines in what is his second full year of recruiting, but he's still got work to do at the skill positions.

Come signing day, the Irish will have answers from some of the top recruits in the country.

Cornerback Tee Shepard is already in classes with Kiel and defensive tackle Sheldon Day—all early enrollees—and the Irish have commitments from the likes of wide receivers Deontay Greenberry, Justin Ferguson and Chris Brown.

But they can still do even better with players like Brian Poole considering a flip from Gainesville to South Bend, and other uncommitted recruits like Nelson Agholor, Davonte Neal, Anthony Standifer and former commit Ronald Darby.

Notre Dame can still make some noise when decisions are made Wednesday.