Notre Dame Football Recruiting: Tracking Targets for the 2013 Class

Although Notre Dame has struggled the last couple of years getting back into the BCS spotlight, it has not been due to a lack of talent. This is a program that will always recruit well regardless of what is going on and how the performances are on the field.

Sure, the Irish lost a few top recruits last season, but they still landed 17 talented players, including a few 5-star players such as quarterback Gunner Kiel. For the 2013 class, Notre Dame has already received 12 early commitments, 10 of which are at least 4-star players.

Whether you are from down South or live on the West Coast, if you are a top player, there's a great chance Notre Dame is on your list of schools. With the recruiting process heating up a little bit, here are some updates on a few players who are still heavily considering joining Notre Dame.

Priest Willis

Latest Status: Considering USC, UCLA, LSU, Nebraska and Arizona State, among others.

Willis is a very physical safety at 6'2", 190 pounds. He is a sure tackler, is excellent at jamming receivers and can also play the cornerback position as well.

While the 5-star recruit has been seriously checking out some of the West Coast schools, he hasn't forgotten about Notre Dame just yet:

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I just know they have a lot of tradition there, a lot of potential for their program and a lot of opportunities for me. It’s not just a four-year program, but a 40-year program. It opens up doors in life and opportunities other than football.

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Willis plans to take his official visit to South Bend when the Irish play the Michigan Wolverines.

Jaylon Smith

Latest Status: Considering Notre Dame, Ohio State, Indiana, Purdue and Florida State, among others.

Smith is considered the top outside linebacker that this class has to offer, and he has offers on the table from nearly every school in the country. He has great size at 6'3", 225 pounds, solid speed and can rush the quarterback, as well as drop back in coverage. Did I mention that he can also play the running back position as well?

While Smith tries to figure out which school best fits him, he recently took a trip to South Bend with his father to see if Notre Dame could be that school:

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The trip was just to show my dad. He had never been up there before, and obviously I wanted to get him input. Ultimately, it’s my decision where I go, but he’s seen Columbus. It was about bringing him up to Notre Dame to see what kind of environment that was there.

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There is no timetable for his decision.

Eddie Vanderdoes

Latest Status: Considering Notre Dame, Oregon, Cal and Michigan State, among others.

Vanderdoes is considered one of the top defensive tackles in the 2013 class because he can clog up running lanes with his 6'4", 285-pound frame, as well as use his speed to rush the passer. He gets off the ball extremely quick and will be a huge addition to any defensive line.

With the 5-star recruit being from Auburn, CA, the interest is high in the home schools, but don't count the Irish out of the race just yet.

“They see me as a defensive tackle (nose) and defensive end,” he said. “I watched them play against Stanford and love their defensive scheme. I love how they run their defense” (via Scout).

It is still unknown if he will take a visit to check out Notre Dame, but they are certainly this defensive lineman's radar.

Vonn Bell

Latest Status: Considering Alabama, Texas, Georgia, Notre Dame and Arkansas, among others.

Bell is a ball hawk in the secondary and is capable of delivering bit hits, which is why he is considered one of the top safeties in this year's class. He lacks great size at 6'1", 190 pounds, but is a playmaker on the defensive side of the ball and is capable of playing the cornerback position as well.

The 5-star recruit has shown interest in several schools, making trips to several different schools, including Notre Dame, in the last month or so. He has a total of 27 offers on the table and will spend some time picking out the serious contenders.

“We are going to take this time to look closer at the 27 schools that have offered, do some more homework and try to narrow it down to a top seven,” Bell said (via ESPN).

With the issues in the secondary, it sure would be nice to pick up a player such as Bell.

Josh McNeil

Latest Status: Considering Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State and Florida, among others.

McNeil has only played football for one season, but caught 60 passes for 600 yards and seven touchdowns. He has great speed for somebody who is 6'5", 240 pounds, and he catches the ball very well. Despite Notre Dame already landing a 4-star tight end in Mike Heuerman in the 2013 class, the Irish are interested in McNeil as well.

Turns out the feeling is mutual, as the 4-star tight end recently named as Notre Dame one of his finalists, along with 11 other schools. He is scheduled to first visit Alabama in early June, which will be followed by Georgia and Ohio State.

Johnny Johnson

Latest Status: Considering Notre Dame, USC, Cal and Stanford, among others.

Johnson is one of the top cornerbacks in the 2013 class, and he could be a huge addition to this Irish football team. He isn't the biggest corner in the world at 5'9", 165 pounds, but he is about as physical and as strong of a player you will see from somebody his size. He can quickly become one of the better corners in the country.

With Johnson being from CA, he will save the West Coast trips for last. The first official visit scheduled will be Notre Dame.

“I’m going to Notre Dame with L.J (Moore) and Hatari (Byrd),” Johnson said. “That’s the only visit I know I’m going to take for sure but I plan to take all of them before I make my decision."

Hopefully for Irish fans, Notre Dame makes a great impression on this top recruit.

Hatari Byrd

Latest Status: Considering Oklahoma, Notre Dame, UCLA, Washington and Georgia, among others.

Byrd will soon take a trip to Notre Dame as well. He is one of the top safeties in this year's class and is about as physical as they come. He is listed at 6'1", 192 pounds, plays excellent man-to-man coverage and doesn't mind getting his hands dirty in run support.

Despite his big frame and physical nature, he wants everyone to know that he will like to play in the defensive backfield, not the linebacker position.

“I was 6-1.5, 195, and I want to play at about 200-205,” said Byrd. “I don’t want to get any bigger than that, though, because I don’t want to play linebacker.”

One of the first schools Byrd will visit is Oklahoma and Notre Dame. Other than that, everything remains up in the air. He is a player who will take his time throughout the decision process, so don't expect any groundbreaking news from this 4-star recruit anytime soon.