Notre Dame Football Recruiting: 5 Players Who Will Have Immediate Impact

Now that Notre Dame has officially announced its 2012 recruiting class, it's time to take a look at which of the 16 incoming freshmen will have an immediate impact on the program.

While the Irish did lose out on Deontay Greenberry and Ronald Darby, the class still contains a number of potentially explosive playmakers.

Let's take a look at the candidates.

Follow along!

Chris Brown, WR

Chris Brown is a 6'2", 185-pound receiver out of Hanahan, South Carolina.

Considered to be a 3-star prospect by Rivals.com, Brian Kelly believes that Brown was the "steal" of this class.

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“I think if we were talking from an NFL standpoint, and I was a general manager after draft day, we would consider this young man the steal of the draft."

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With Michael Floyd having exhausted his eligibility, Brown will have the opportunity to come in right away and attempt to help fill Floyd's shoes.

Brown is quite the speedster, as evidenced by his time of 4.44 seconds in the 40-yard dash. A receiver with that type of speed is a perfect fit in Kelly's offense.

Thankfully for the South Carolina native, he has a big enough frame to get on the field early and contribute.

Tim Prister gave his take on Brown yesterday.

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"An outstanding athlete who bounces around the football field like he's on a pogo stick. Wins jump balls with his athleticism and length. Excellent body control with the football in the air, displaying the ability to make catches in traffic. Nice vision and ability to weave through traffic. Shows an extra gear after the catch. Needs to add some pounds to his frame, protect the football after the catch better, and also must prove he is a precise route runner. All that being said, this may be the real diamond in the rough in the Class of 2012."

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Justin Ferguson, WR

Another speedy receiver, Justin Ferguson will also have an opportunity to get on the field early to showcase his talents.

Brian Kelly gave his thoughts on the Pembroke Pines, Florida native at his press conference yesterday.

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"Ferguson is a guy that really can take the top off the coverage. He’s also a very physical kid, a heck of a blocker."

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As I mentioned in the previous slide, the loss of Michael Floyd will be noticeable, especially his run-blocking skills. Fortunately for the Irish, Ferguson will be able to help fill that void.

Ferguson is similar in size to Chris Brown at 6'1" 210 pounds, which is prototypical in Brian Kelly's version of the spread offense.

Ferguson, Brown and DaVaris Daniels are the first true spread receivers Brian Kelly has brought to South Bend.

Here's Tim Prister's take on Ferguson: 

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"Will arrive as one of the most physically prepared players in the class. A strong, powerful workout warrior-type athlete who is just as content trying to run over a defender as he is trying to run by him. Also shows the ability to weave through traffic. Has soft hands and does a nice job of catching the football in stride. Not a particularly aesthetic runner who tends to stay on the ground to make catches. Good not great speed. Also must protect football better after the catch."

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Jarron Jones, DT

With limited depth at defensive tackle, Jarron Jones is a sure bet to see some action early on in the 2012 season.

The 6'6", 290-pound defensive lineman out of the Aquinas Institute in Rochester, New York, is the second tri-state area player the Irish have brought in in as many seasons after Brooklyn native Ishaq Williams committed during last year's recruiting cycle.

Brian Kelly had some high praise for Jones.

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"I got a chance to see him play basketball. [He is] an incredible athlete at 6-6, 290 pounds. He still hasn’t even developed yet. His ceiling is so high relative to strength and work volume. He’s a young man that plays the defensive side of the ball. When you look at Jarron Jones, you see a young man who is going to impact our program just because of his work ethic.”

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Such athleticism in a player the size of Jones is a rare find, making him a valuable piece in this class.

He's virtually guaranteed playing time because of the fact that former defensive tackle Sean Cwynar will not be returning for a fifth season, leaving Louis Nix and Hafis Williams as the lone defensive tackles on the roster.

Hear what Tim Prister of IrishIllustrated.com had to say about Jones: 

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"Imposes his will on offensive linemen, using an array of swim and rip moves as a pass rusher. Uses his hands very well, and then clubs blockers for good measure. Engulfs ball carriers with sheer size. Has the quickness of a player 50 pounds lighter. Has a tendency to play upright and win battles with upper body strength instead of technique, which isn't necessary (nor effective on the next level) because he has the mechanics to stay within the framework. Has the versatility to play on the inside of a four-man front or at strongside defensive end in a three-man front."

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Tee Shepard, CB

Tee Shepard is considered by many to be the nation's best cornerback in the class of 2012. Brian Kelly echoed that sentiment yesterday during his press conference.

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"We believe he is the best cornerback in the country. I know that he’s excited about the challenge of coming in here now and getting an opportunity to compete as a freshman."

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There's no doubt that Shepard will be competing for a starting spot at cornerback, as the position is the thinnest on the depth chart.

Thankfully for Irish fans, Rivals.com likens the Fresno, California native to current Denver Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey.

Could he end up having a career similar to that of Bailey's?

Tim Prister gives his take:

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"Great length and agility at cornerback. A smooth, graceful athlete with excellent hip turn. Uses hands very well at line of scrimmage in press coverage. Length makes it difficult to throw over/around. Superb closing speed, and also knows how to squeeze receivers running sideline routes. Squares up and brings hips well through tackles. Not afraid to throw his body around, although his overall strength needs to catch up to his aggressive frame of mind."

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Elijah Shumate, S

Now that Harrison Smith has exhausted his eligibility at Notre Dame, another safety will be charged with following in his shoes.

The most likely candidate to do so is East Orange, New Jersey native Elijah Shumate.

The 6'1", 205-pound safety from Don Bosco Prep has the good fortune of already having a college-ready frame, which leads most to believe that he'll lock up one of two starting safety spots.

Brian Kelly believes that Shumate is a great fit at Notre Dame.

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“Here’s a young man that played on the best high school team. Coach Toal does an incredible job of teaching and demanding excellence from his kids on a day-to-day basis. That’s why this was an immediate fit for us, because Elijah’s been down that road.”

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Shumate has experienced vast amounts of success, which will only add to the winning culture and attitude that Kelly is building in South Bend.

As for what Shumate will be able to do on the field, we'll turn to Tim Prister for his assessment.

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"A big, physical, prototype strong safety with an aggressive, physical, thirst-for-contact attitude, yet a long, aesthetic stride as a ball carrier. Attacks the line of scrimmage against the run. Excellent closing speed. Solidly built player that plays with emotion, motivation for impact. Low pad level and drives through ball carriers. A perfect battering ram for kickoff coverage. Needs to wrap/secure ball carrier better, and must prove coverage skills."

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