Notre Dame Football: Davonte Neal Is Exactly Player Fighting Irish Need

Notre Dame wasn't finished bringing in some big guns to the program. Davonte Neal put the cap on what was a strong and promising winter in South Bend. 

Notre Dame loses some great talent after every season, such is the bane of top-shelf programs. You enjoy a player like Michael Floyd and then you have the joy in seeing him go, and taking his skills and talent with him. 

Head coach Brian Kelly is not immune to the immense pressure that accompanies a gig like the one he has at Notre Dame. 

So, it's important to keep the coffers full and the talent recharged. 

On Tuesday, Notre Dame received amazing news that the last ESPNU 150 athlete and one of the most gifted players in the nation had decided to head to South Bend. 

Neal chose Notre Dame over Arizona, Arkansas and North Carolina according to an ESPN report.  

Neal comes in as a receiver but it's important to label him more as a gifted athlete. He is as versatile as any commit this offseason and can play defensive back as well as he handles routes. 

The ESPN report issues the following: 

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At 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds, Neal played receiver in the Under Armour All-America Game, though he was picked for the event as a defensive back. As a senior, the two-time Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year scored 30 touchdowns on offense, added three on special teams and starred in the secondary with 12 pass breakups. He finished as the No. 8 overall prospect nationally.

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Consider that Athlon Sports ranked Notre Dame as a top-20 class before Neal committed to them. This is what they had to say on Neal and the promise he would bring. 

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The uber-talented but much-maligned athlete could play a variety of positions on the next level and would boost either the running or passing game should he land on offense.

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Well, they got him, and he joins a strong class that will only improve on the progress Kelly has made in the last couple of years. 

Neal can be that playmaker on offense that was ripped from the program when Floyd left to the NFL. Things are looking up for Notre Dame heading into next season. 

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