Notre Dame Football Recruiting: Updates on 2013 Commits and Targets

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have had a tremendous year on the football field, but Brian Kelly and his program have also had a ton of success in the realm of recruiting.

Notre Dame has always been a relevant program nationally, but now that it's winning games and competing for national championships, things are really taking off in recruiting as well.

As with any major college football program, sometimes it can be hard to keep up with the hectic world of recruiting. Thankfully, that's not an issue that you'll have to deal with.

If you're a fan of Notre Dame football or even just college football recruiting in general, consider this to be your "one stop shop" for Notre Dame recruiting.

You'll find all the news, analysis and updates on commitments and targets that you'll ever need, right here.

Note: All 2012 stats via 247Sports unless otherwise noted.

Latest News

Update: 4-star OLB Alex Anazlone flipped his commitment from Notre Dame to Florida on 1/10/13.

Update: DE Alquadin Muhammad commits to Miami over Notre Dame on 1/5/13

Update: Max Redfield commits to Notre Dame during the Under Armour All-American game on 1/4/13

Update: 4-star running back Tarean Folston gave his verbal commitment to the Irish after Day 2 of practice at the Under Armour All-America Game.  Folston told ESPN Insider the buzz around the Irish program played a big role in his decision:

"

“I went on a visit there and when I went there I just felt like I could do this for four years,” Folston said. “The coaches were great, the players were great. There was a lot of energy around there, and there is a lot of people wanting to get the same goal to get to the BCS championship. They are on their way now. We are going to pull this thing out.” 

"

At 5'9" and 185lbs Folston is a small speedy back whose 4.4 speed could get him on the field as a freshman. – End of Update 1/2/13

Update: 5-star defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes has decommitted from USC. This is significant for Notre Dame because Vanderdoes has an official visit with the Fighting Irish scheduled in January, according to Gerard Martinez of USCFootball.com:

"

Vanderoes is considering USC, Washington, Notre Dame and UCLA, with a trip to South Bend schedule for Jan. 12.

"USC is still going to get the final visit, and he'll trip to Notre Dame as soon as we can get that done," said Vanderdoes (Sr.). "Right now, the thought is to decide on signing day, but who knows

"

Vanderdoes would be a big-time pickup for Notre Dame, so this visit is going to end up being very important. USC still does appear to be in good standing with the 5-star and it will get his final visit per Martinez's report. —End of Update 12/28/12

Quarterbacks

Targets: None

Already Committed

Malik Zaire- 4-star dual-threat QB, 6'1'', 185 lb. (247Sports)

Analysis

Zaire has the potential to be an extremely good quarterback in Brian Kelly's offense. He's a very natural athlete who can be effective as a passer or with his feet. Zaire has good straight-line speed and long strides, which makes him hard to catch once he's in the open field. He also has good footwork and vision as a runner.

While he's a great runner, so much of his potential comes from his ability to throw the ball. He's a lefty with a very strong arm and a natural throwing motion. With Everett Golson and Gunner Kiel looking to be the two main options of the future though, don't be surprised if Zaire takes a redshirt.

Running Backs

Targets: None

Already Committed

Tarean Folston- 4-star RB, 5'9'', 185 lb. 4.40 40 (247Sports)

2012 Stats: 222 ATT, 1,722 YD, 16 TD, 9 REC, 2 RECTD

All-Star Game: Under Armour 1/4 5 p.m. ET

Greg Bryant- 5-star RB (Rivals), 5'11'', 195 lbs. 4.48 40 (247Sports)

2012 Stats: 1,500 YD, 17 TD

All-Star Game: U.S. Army 1/5 1 p.m. ET

Analysis

Landing Greg Bryant's commitment was one of the marquee recruiting wins of the 2013 cycle for the Fighting Irish. Bryant is a compact runner with top-level speed and power. He'll be effective between the tackles as a power runner, but he also has quick feet and elite vision.

Simply put, Bryant has the potential to be a superstar running back for Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish also look to be in a pretty good position to get a commitment from Folston. 

Folston picked the Irish over Oregon and Chip Kelly's offense, which should fans all they need to know about his wheels.  His 4.4 speed will provide the Irish with a big-play threat immediately. 

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Targets

Thomas Duarte- 4-star TE, 6'4'', 225 lb. (247Sports)

Biggest Competition for Commitment: Washington, USC, UCLA, Oregon

Already Committed

Torii Hunter Jr.- 4-star WR, 6'1'', 172 lb., 4.57 40 (247Sports)

2012 Stats: 71 REC, 1,235 YD, 14 TD

All-Star Game: U.S. Army 1/5 1 p.m. ET

Corey Robinson- 3-star WR, 6'4'', 205 lb., 4.65 40 (247Sports)

2012 Stats: 67 REC, 1,414 YD, 20 TD

All-Star Game: U.S. Army 1/5 1 p.m. ET

James Onwaulu- 3-star WR, 6'1,75'', 205 lb., 4.53 40 (247Sports)

Will Fuller- 3-star WR, 6'0'', 165 lb., 4.52 40 (247Sports)

Mike Heuerman- 4-star TE, 6'4'', 220 lb., 4.76 40 (247Sports)

Jacob Matuska- 4-star TE/OT, 6'5'', 240 lb., 4.70 40 (247Sports)

Analysis

Notre Dame has to be feeling pretty good about the group of wide receivers and tight ends that it's bringing in through this 2013 class. Torii Hunter Jr. (son of the MLB player) is the marquee name and he projects to be a very good receiver. Even though Corey Robinson is only a 3-star recruit, one look at his numbers for 2012 would suggest that he has great potential to be a solid receiver as well.

Mike Heureman could end up being a very important member of the Fighting Irish's offense in the future. He's got good size and speed, which will cause matchup problems in the defensive secondary, and he's ranked as the No. 9 overall tight end in the 2013 class by the 247Sports Composite Rankings.

Offensive Line

Targets: None

Already Committed

Hunter Bivin- 4-star OT, 6'7'', 290 lb., 5.10 40 (247Sports)

All-Star Game: Under Armour 1/4 5 p.m. ET

Steven Elmer- 4-star OT, 6'6'', 315 lb., 5.02 40 (247Sports)

All-Star Game: U.S. Army 1/5 1 p.m. ET

John Montelus- 4-star OT, 6'5'', 305 lb. (247Sports)

All-Star Game: U.S. Army 1/5 1 p.m. ET

Colin McGovern- 4-star OT, 6'6'', 295 lb. (247Sports)

All-Star Game: Under Armour 1/4 5 p.m. ET

Mike McGlinchey- 4-star OT, 6'9'', 275 lb. 5.00 40 (247Sports)

Analysis

This is an extremely impressive group of linemen, and they have the accolades to prove it. All of Notre Dame's lineman recruits will be playing in major All-Star games this season (McGlinchey will play in the Semper Fidelis Bowl), and they all have great intangibles.

This is easily one of the more impressive lineman classes in college football recruiting, and in a few years it could end up being an elite group.

Defensive Line

Targets

Eddie Vanderdoes- 5-star DT, 6.2.5'', 302 lb. (247Sports)

2012 Stats: 72 TCK, 9 SCK, 2 FF, 1 FR

All-Star Game: U.S. Army

Biggest Competition for Commitment: USC, Washington, UCLA

Alquadin Muhammad- 4-star SDE, 6'4'', 230 lb. 4.65 40 (247Sports)

Update: DE Alquadin Muhammad commits to Miami over Notre Dame on 1/5/13

Already Committed

Isaac Rochell- 4-star SDE, 6'5'', 260 (247Sports)

Analysis

This may be the position where Kelly and his staff need to focus on the most for the rest of the 2013 recruiting cycle. Rochell is a good commitment for the Fighting Irish, but the main targets has to be Vanderdoes at this point. It's going to end up being a tight race with USC, but the Fighting Irish are in good position.

Alquadin Muhammad, on the other hand, has Notre Dame listed as his favorite according to his 247Sports interest list, and at this point it would be disappointing if the Fighting Irish can't land him. He'd also be another important recruit from New Jersey, which is a good pipeline for Notre Dame.

Linebackers

Targets: None

Already Committed

Jaylon Smith- 5-star OLB, 6'3'', 218 lb. 4.44 40 (247Sports)

2012 Stats: 75 TCK, 20 TFL, 8 SCK

All-Star Game: U.S. Army 1/5 1 p.m. ET

Michael Deeb- 4-star ILB, 6'2'', 237 lb. (247Sports)

Doug Randolph- 4-star OLB, 6'3'', 236 lb., 4.65 40 (247Sports)

Analysis 

This is easily the most impressive group in Notre Dames 2013 class. Jaylon Smith has superstar potential as an outside linebacker. I'd like to see him bulk up a bit more, but he has elite speed on the edges and will be a tremendous pass-rusher. He'll also be a sideline-to-sideline defender against the run, and he'll be comfortable in space in coverage.

Update: 4-star OLB Alex Anazlone flipped his commitment from Notre Dame to Florida on 1/10/13.

When you consider the talent of Deeb and Randolph as well, this is easily the most impressive linebacker class in the nation.

Defensive Backs

Targets

L.J. Moore- 4-star DB, 6'2'', 185 lb. 4.50 40 (247Sports)

Biggest Competition for Commitment: Oregon State, Arizona State

Already Committed

Cole Luke, 4-star CB, 6'0'', 170 lb. (247Sports)

Devin Butler, 4-star CB, 6'1'', 180 lb., 4.54 40 (247Sports)

Rashad Kinlaw, 4-star CB/ATH, 6'0'', 175 lb., 4.45 40 (247Sports)

Max Redfield- 5-star S, 6'3'', 195 lb. (247Sports)

Update: Max Redfield commits to Notre Dame during the Under Armour All-American game on 1/4/13

Analysis

Both Cole Luke and Devin Butler were huge commitments for Notre Dame's secondary, and they both have the potential shutdown cornerbacks in the future. Kinlaw is listed as an athlete/dual-threat quarterback, but he has good size, speed and is being recruited to play corner, per reports. He could end up being a very important secondary player as well.

Bringing in a star safety is the next step for Kelly, and Redfield has to be the guy. His interest list (247Sports) is down to two, Notre Dame and USC, and the Fighting Irish have to feel pretty good about their chances. It's worth noting that he was a USC recruit before decommitting in November.