Stud LB Tevon Coney Picks Notre Dame, What Commitment Means for Irish

Notre Dame continues to maintain momentum during the final stretch of what has been a fortuitous month for Fighting Irish recruiting efforts. The team landed a commitment from Florida linebacker Tevon Coney on Thursday morning, swiping the Sunshine State star away from a pair of nearby programs:

Coney, rated 10th nationally among inside linebackers in 247Sports' composite rankings, will head to South Bend after considering offers from fellow finalists Florida and Miami. The coveted defender announced his intentions during a ceremony at Palm Beach Gardens High School, providing another pivotal piece in an impressive 2015 Notre Dame class. 

He expressed certainty in the choice during a simulcast on ESPN's Recruiting Nation, though his decision wasn't made until two days ago. 

"One day, I feel like I should go to this school and one day, I feel like I should go to that school," Coney told Ryan S. Clark of the Sun Sentinel last week. "I'm still trying to decide where I want to go and what school I should feel comfortable with and where I want to get my degree. I want to make the right decision."

His deliberation ultimately centered on Notre Dame, a university he's visited twice since June. 

“I think I fit in well with the Irish,” Coney said during the announcement. “I got a chance to see the playbook...and I think I can have a big impact.”

Coney, a 6'1", 222-pound prospect, provides head coach Brian Kelly with his fourth October pledge. Notre Dame landed 4-star Indianapolis linebacker Asmar Bilal last week, just a few days after securing a commitment from promising New Orleans defensive end Bo Wallace. 

The addition of three intriguing defensive standouts would have made for a fine month, but quarterback Brandon Wimbush took things to another level. The New Jersey native flipped to the Fighting Irish from Penn State two weeks ago, giving Kelly a top-tier passer to develop.

Fellow 4-star Penn State flip Josh Barajas joined the class in May. Notre Dame has now matched him with Bilal and Coney, creating quite a trio of incoming linebackers.

Coney is a highly productive player who tallied 172 tackles in 2013. He added 14 sacks and two interceptions as a junior, exhibiting tremendous blitzing abilities.

Fighting Irish defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder acquires a prototypical inside linebacker capable of chasing plays along the perimeter and creating havoc in the box. Coney is a dominant run-stuffer who identified pass coverage as a focal point for improvement during his announcement.

Notre Dame now holds 21 commitments in a 2015 class that has suddenly jumped to 10th nationally in 247Sports' composite rankings. The team is likely done looking for linebackers but still has its sights set on several marquee members of this recruiting cycle, including Texas running back Soso Jamabo and California wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown.

Recruit ratings and stats courtesy of 247Sports.