Notre Dame Football Recruiting 2013: Irish Class Boosted by 4-Star Commitments

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish went into their Junior Day weekend with only three committed recruits for the class of 2013. In comparison to rival Michigan's 16 verbal commitments, Brian Kelly's program was slacking.

That isn't the case anymore.

Kelly and his staff saw not one, not two, not three, but four 4-star recruits commit to play for the Irish over the weekend.

Offensive linemen Colin McGovern of New Lenox (IL) Lincoln-Way West, Hunter Bivin of Owensboro (KY) Apollo and Mike McGlinchey of Philadelphia (PA) William Penn Charter School are all verbally committed to potentially protect quarterback Malik Zaire of Kettering (OH) Archbishop Alter.

Three of the four commits are ESPN U 150 Watch List members and all four carry a Rivals Rating of 5.7 or higher. 

The Irish class now boasts seven commits and what the group lacks in quantity they make up for in quality.

Zaire had no shortage of offers, but chose to join the crowded Irish quarterback depth chart because it was simply something he "couldn't pass up," as he told Rivals.

The four 4-stars join athlete James Onwualu, tackle Steve Elmer and tight end Jacob Matuska in the Irish class.

Notre Dame's 2012 top 10 class included highly-touted quarterback Gunner Kiel and three other 4-star linemen, but Brian Kelly knows he can never have enough talent at either of those positions.

If Kelly and his staff believe they can keep these commitments throughout the recruiting process, we should expect to see them focus more on defensive back and wide receiver throughout the summer.

The team still lacks the overall depth it needs in the secondary and Kelly's offense can never have too many capable wide receivers. Of the many Irish offers on the table, roughly 40 of them are for wide receivers and defensive backs.

There is still plenty of work to be done, but Notre Dame made a big splash this weekend and look to be on their way to yet another big recruiting year.

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