Notre Dame Football Recruiting: Irish Still Have Shot at Prized Recruits

Much has been made about Notre Dame, its immediate future with recruits and the deficiencies that remain. And early on national signing day, the Fighting Irish are still sitting pretty. 

Brian Kelly still has some room to grow before we can count his tenure in South Bend as successful. It used to be considered a travesty to bring anything less than a national title to Notre Dame, so you have to consider that Kelly still has a great deal more to do. 

This recruitment period has been a middling effort with some great signings and still some wide-open gaps still left unfulfilled. 

That doesn't mean it's time to cash in the chips and call Notre Dame fated to be mediocre once again. The next few years may in fact be glorious with the addition of these next few amateurs that still could choose the vaunted halls of Notre Dame over other schools. 

Nelson Agholor: ranked No. 18, according to Rivals

The biggest and most obvious loss this season has to be Michael Floyd. The Notre Dame standout is going through a recruiting process of his own as he hits the NFL draft in just a couple of months. 

The Irish still have a shot at Agholor, who would give them a huge boost at wide receiver. The star is deciding between USC, Florida, Oklahoma and Florida State. The Irish are fighting an uphill battle but there is room to hope ahead of a huge day for signings. 

Davonte Neal: ranked No. 107 nationally No. 17 at position, according to Rivals 

If Agholor does pick another program, there is hope that a player that Rivals says reminds it of Santana Moss could be on his way to South Bend. 

There is thought that Neal will not make a decision by Wednesday. He spoke with ESPN and said, "I’m going to take this week off and just focus on those four visits, UNC, Ohio State, Notre Dame and Arkansas. Hopefully I can cut it down to one or two and then I’ll be ready to go."

That leaves room for Notre Dame to make a huge push for Neal if it strikes out on receivers on national signing day. 

Brian Poole: ranked No. 80, according to Rivals 

Notre Dame needs help in the secondary and Poole would go a long way to remedy that specific situation. 

Poole, according to Rivals, has a soft verbal commitment to the Florida Gators. There is room for hope for Notre Dame faithful, though. WSBT.com reports the need is very much there for Notre Dame, and Kelly is not about to give up the fight to solidify the one area he promised to address. 

The leader of the program is not giving up, and neither should any of its supporters. Notre Dame has a fine recruit class, but an amazing one could land today. 

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