Notre Dame Football Recruiting: How Davonte Neal Would Change the Irish

With national signing day come and gone, a majority of the top recruits have already decided where they will play football next season.

Davonte Neal is an exception as he was still making official visits when several of his peers already knew where they were going to play. 

Neal is a 4-star player, according to most top recruiting sites, and he is a very versatile player that can play either side of the ball. As a cornerback, he has the speed to keep up with any receiver stride for stride and isn't afraid to get his hands dirty in run support. He can also play the wide receiver position as he runs fantastic routes and has playmaking ability, which also makes him a threat in the return game on special teams.

He's had offers from nearly every top program in the country, but has narrowed that list down quite a bit in the last few weeks. He's expected to make his decision on Feb. 21, with teams like Oklahoma, North Carolina, Notre Dame and Arizona as the favorites for his services.

Although there is no team that could use him more than the Irish can.

They need all the wide receiver depth they can get so Neal would be a huge addition. With Michael Floyd heading to the NFL, that leaves T.J. Jones and Theo Riddick as the starters heading into next season, which isn't bad, but the Irish just need more help. That third wide receiver spot is open for the taking.

Neal would provide the speed this offense so desperately needs and would help this offense increase its big-play ability. Last season Notre Dame's longest passing play was 56 yards, which was tied for 107th worst in the country. That would change with Neal on the field as he'd stretch the defense and make things easier for players like Jones, Riddick and Eifert.

Since Neal runs a 40-yard time in the 4.4-second range, he'd also contribute in special teams by returning punts. If there is any area that Notre Dame was absolutely horrible in, it was that.

They averaged an embarrassing 3.69 yards a return last season in which only eight teams in the entire country were worse. You give the 4-star player a couple blocks and there's a great chance he improves that average instantly.

Did I mention Neal can also play on the defensive side of the ball? This is pretty good news for the Irish considering they just lost two corners in Robert Blanton and Gary Gray. They also lost a key safety in Harrison Smith. Neal is a shutdown corner that's able to keep up with the fastest receivers and obviously has above-average ball skills.

The 4-star recruit would help the Irish out in so many different ways, especially considering they just lost Deontay Greenberry to Houston. Neal may not be as big as Greenberry, but he's just as talented and may become more productive with his versatility.

Although the Irish still have a solid recruiting class this season, they have missed out on quite a few talented players. They need to land this young man out of Scottsdale, Arizona.

Randy Chambers is a B/R featured columnist that covers college football and the NFL. You can contact him @Randy_Chambers or [e-mail].