Notre Dame Football Recruiting: News and Notes on Top Targets

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — While the Notre Dame football recruiting machine quieted down in South Bend over the last week and no new offers went out, the nation's top prospects descended on the Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, for The Opening.

Let’s run through some of the Irish-related news and notes to come out of the week in Phil Knight land.

Chase Claypool

Credit: 247Sports

The fast-progressing recruitment of 2016 wide receiver Chase Claypool reached a conclusion Friday, when the quick riser committed to Notre Dame.

Claypool, who hails from Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada, started hauling in offers in April. The Irish extended an offer toward the end of May, and the 6’5”, 205-pound pass-catcher visited for the Irish Invasion camp in mid-June. Claypool is Notre Dame’s 12th commitment in the class of 2016, which sat at just six members a few short weeks ago.

Currently slotted as the No. 55 wide receiver and No. 331 overall prospect in the class, Claypool impressed at The Opening.

Parker Boudreaux

Credit: 247Sports

Freshly minted Domer Parker Boudreaux, an offensive lineman in the class of 2016 who pledged to the Irish at the beginning of July, drew praise at The Opening, especially for his work against the nation’s top overall player, defensive tackle Rashan Gary.

Boudreaux is currently tabbed as the No. 13 guard and No. 336 overall prospect. His power-testing numbers from The Opening were top-notch.

Caleb Kelly

Credit: 247Sports

Class of 2016 outside linebacker Caleb Kelly, one of Notre Dame’s top targets, placed the Fighting Irish in his top seven on Tuesday.

Kelly told 247Sports’ Ryan Bartow he will visit Notre Dame, as well as Oregon, later this month. Kelly was originally scheduled to camp at the Irish Invasion in June but did not make the trip.

Kelly is the No. 2 outside linebacker and No. 18 overall prospect in the country.

Jeff McCulloch

Credit: 247Sports

Another top linebacker in the class, Houston product Jeff McCulloch, is expected to visit South Bend later this month, per 247Sports’ Steve Wiltfong.

With an unofficial visit set for July 27, McCulloch also told 247Sports he plans to take an official visit to Notre Dame in the fall.

“I talk to the head coach, Coach [Brian] Kelly, pretty much daily since I’ve been here and once or twice a week before I got up here,” McCulloch told 247Sports’ Luke Stampini.

McCulloch is the No. 10 outside linebacker and No. 103 overall player in the country. The 6’2 ½”, 230-pounder posted strong numbers in Oregon.

Eric Cuffee

Credit: 247Sports

On Sunday night, class of 2016 defensive back Eric Cuffee trimmed his list to eight, and Notre Dame made the cut.

"

Rearranges made to my list. Top 5 coming in the middle of my season.  pic.twitter.com/96piVfk2Sp

— WACO CUFFEE (@JaeRican27) July 13, 2015"

The Waco, Texas, native, is the No. 24 cornerback and No. 267 overall recruit. He visited Notre Dame in June for the Irish Invasion.

Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting stats and information courtesy of 247Sports.com, and all quotes were obtained firsthand. Star ratings reflect 247Sports composite rankings.

Mike Monaco is the lead Notre Dame writer for Bleacher Report. Follow @MikeMonaco_ on Twitter.