Notre Dame Football: How Irish's Top Commits Performed This Weekend

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish football program is well on its way toward another successful national signing day, securing 15 commitments in a 2016 recruiting class that slots in 18th overall in 247Sports' composite rankings.

The Fighting Irish annually attract elite athletes from across the United States (and beyond borders when you factor in Canadian wide receiver Chase Claypool, a 2016 commit). This cycle has been no different, as head coach Brian Kelly claims verbal pledges from eight different states. 

Multiple members of the group gave their high school teams a boost during the weekend, delivering premier performances.

Quarterbacks are often the keys to quality recruiting classes, and Notre Dame seems to be in solid shape at the position based on how Ian Book has played. The 6'1", 200-pound passer from Oak Ridge High School in El Dorado Hills, California, continued a strong senior campaign Friday night.

He completed 21 of 29 pass attempts for 206 yards and three scores in a 36-28 win over Granite Bay High School, per MaxPreps. Book added 96 rushing yards and another score on the ground.

His ability to make plays beyond the pocket has been apparent throughout the season, as Book gained at least 50 rushing yards in four of Oak Ridge's first seven games. He's averaging 6.6 yards per carry en route to 408 yards and eight scores on the ground this fall.

Book, rated 19th overall among pro-style quarterbacks, is completing 74 percent of his pass attempts, resulting in 1,812 yards and 20 touchdowns. He chose Notre Dame in August after initially committing to Washington State.

Book could someday join forces with Florida wide receiver Kevin Stepherson as key components of the Irish offensive attack. The 6'0", 180-pound First Coast High School playmaker proved his value Friday night in a game against Raines High School.

Stepherson reeled in a 56-yard touchdown reception and returned a kickoff 74 yards for another score, though his efforts occurred in a 26-15 loss.

He is working to build on a junior campaign that included 33 catches for 756 yards and 11 touchdowns. Stepherson selected Notre Dame from a list of scholarship offers that featured Florida, LSU, Michigan and Miami.

Credit: 247Sports

Irish fans should also be enthused by the latest effort from linebacker commit Jamir Jones. The New York product picked apart opponents Friday night throughout a victory for Aquinas Institute.

Jamir, the younger brother of Notre Dame defensive lineman Jarron Jones, did significant damage on both sides of the ball.

He caught four passes from Penn State quarterback commit Jake Zembiec, resulting in 130 yards and two touchdowns, according to the Democrat and Chronicle. Jones also starred on defense in the 48-7 victory over McQuaid Jesuit High School, securing five tackles and two sacks.

Through eight games as a senior, Jones has recorded six receiving scores, 38 tackles—12 for loss—and 4.5 sacks, per MaxPreps. He projects to play outside linebacker in college.

Tyler Donohue is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Tyler via Twitter: @TDsTake.