Notre Dame Football Recruiting 2012: The Fighting Irish Need Davonte Neal

The stunning announcement from former Notre Dame wide receiver commit Deontay Greenberry that he was ditching the Irish and, instead, playing for the University of Houston left the Irish in critical condition at the receiver position.

After that shocking, last-minute decision the morning of national signing day, Brian Kelly and Co. were left with only two receivers—Chris Brown and Justin Ferguson—in their 2012 recruiting haul.

Fans wondered aloud how Brian Kelly could truly make progress in building his ideal offense without a dynamic playmaker such as Deontay Greenberry.

That grumbling came to a screeching halt when news broke that 4-star athlete Davonte Neal had dropped Ohio State (or vice versa, depending on whom you ask), and had named Arizona, North Carolina, Arkansas and Notre Dame as his four finalists.

The Scottsdale, Arizona native is considered to be one of the best pure athletes in the 2012 class. He possesses the ability to play either wide receiver or cornerback. Each position is a huge need for the Irish, so securing Neal's commitment would be a major coup for Notre Dame.

The other tantalizing aspect of the 5'10", 175-pound prospect is his ability to make an impact in the return game. Neal has been clocked at 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash, which is the type of speed Notre Dame so desperately needs to return to the upper echelons of college football.

If the standout recruit, who attends Scottsdale's Chaparral High School, commits to Notre Dame, the Irish would have six players in their 2012 class with times of 4.5 or faster in the 40.

And remember, speed kills.

That type of speed is the proverbial gasoline required for Brian Kelly's offense to drive at 100 miles-per-hour, instead of 50, as it has during the Kelly's first two seasons in South Bend.

Notre Dame, along with its fans, may just be receiving the news it desires on Tuesday the 21st, when Neal will be announcing his decision at his former grade school.

While social media often twist words and blur the truth, numerous rumors have been circulating that Neal has already chosen Notre Dame.

Those rumors, along with the fact that Neal cancelled his official visit to in-state Arizona, lead many to believe that he will land at Notre Dame.

Neal's father, Luke, certainly won't be opposed to his son choosing to attend Notre Dame.

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“You can’t go wrong with a school like Notre Dame academically. They graduate 98 percent of the players, and it’s an opportunity to play on national television every week.

"The alumni base is strong, and there’s coaching stability there. He’d have the opportunity to play right away, and he loved the visit.”

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Regardless of where Neal chooses to continue both his football and academic careers, I, as well as Notre Dame Nation, wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.