Breaking Down Notre Dame's Major Recruiting Weekend vs. USC

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — With Notre Dame football set to host a slew of top recruits this weekend for its prime-time matchup against rival USC, Irish head coach Brian Kelly has already broken one of his program’s rules.

Notre Dame typically sets its limit for high school visitors on any given game weekend at 12 to 15 prospects.

“We always do, and we always break that rule,” Kelly said this week. “Every year we sit down and go, ‘We’re only going to take 13. We’re only going to take 12.’ And then we’ll go back into another staff meeting, and then John Smith who runs the 4.2 [40-yard dash] and benches 700 pounds is available to come up. And we say, ‘OK, let’s bring him up.’”

This weekend is no different. The Irish are scheduled to host roughly 50 high school prospects, including commits and those with or without offers, per Irish247. Notre Dame lined up a strong group of visitors across the 2016, 2017 and 2018 classes, much like it did for the season opener against Texas—another night game in South Bend.

“Texas was a big one as well,” Kelly said. “Similar night game, so we'll use a similar plan that we had for Texas where we had a number of recruits up for that game. Again, it will require some work on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from the whole staff, but they've got some time off too, so we'll do just fine.”

Eleven commits in Notre Dame’s classes of 2016 and 2017, per Irish247, are scheduled to be on campus. Irish247’s Tom Loy said Notre Dame could add to those totals following this weekend.

“This weekend’s pretty big,” Loy said. “I could see nearly a half-dozen uncommitted kids ending up at Notre Dame from this group when you look at 2016 and 2017. I think Notre Dame did a good job of getting a lot of kids they wanted on campus. They did a good job of getting them actually on campus and confirmed and flights booked and all that.”

Credit: 247Sports

Class of 2016 defensive end/linebacker Daelin Hayes is one of the headliners this weekend. The No. 9 outside linebacker and No. 105 overall player in the class, Hayes decommitted from USC on Sunday night. In addition to his previously scheduled official visit to South Bend this weekend, Hayes announced Wednesday he’ll take four other official visits: Ohio State, Michigan State, Oklahoma and LSU. And after landing an offer from Oregon on Thursday night, Hayes announced he’ll take an official to Oregon instead of Oklahoma.

“He’s a major priority for Notre Dame,” Loy said. “The staff really wants to lock him up this weekend despite the fact that he’s going to take all five of his official visits.”

Hayes took an unofficial visit to campus for the Texas game at the beginning of September. The Michigan native had also signed nonbinding paperwork with the Trojans on Sept. 24 to enroll for the spring semester in Los Angeles.

“[The Irish staff is] hoping that he signs early-enrollment paperwork with Notre Dame prior to departing campus,” Loy said.

Credit: 247Sports

Like Hayes, class of 2016 strong-side defensive end Khalid Kareem decommitted this week. The No. 9 strong-side end and No. 194 overall prospect pulled back on his commitment to Alabama on Wednesday. The Farmington, Michigan, product is set to visit Notre Dame this weekend.

“With him decommitting before this visit and now he’s visiting Notre Dame, it’s a very good sign for the Irish,” Loy said. “At this point, it would be a surprise if he didn’t end up at Notre Dame. Whether it happens this weekend or not, it remains to be seen.”

Credit: 247Sports

Another elite defensive prospect in the class of 2016, outside linebacker Jeffrey McCulloch also finalized his plans for an official visit this weekend. The Houston native is the No. 6 outside linebacker and No. 77 recruit in the class. McCulloch has taken unofficial visits to Texas and Texas A&M this season.

“It doesn’t get much better than Jeffrey McCulloch,” Loy said. “He’s one of the best linebackers in the entire country. Most believe he’s gonna stay in the state of Texas and play at Texas or Texas A&M. But he’s a strong student-athlete that takes academics very serious.”

Credit: 247Sports

In the defensive secondary, class of 2016 safety Devin Studstill is a 3-star prospect, but Loy said the Florida native is at the top of Notre Dame’s board. Studstill, a former high school teammate of current Irish freshman linebacker Te’von Coney, is pegged as the No. 35 safety and No. 532 overall player.

“[Notre Dame doesn’t] have anybody higher ranked on their personal board than Studstill,” Loy said. “They’re hoping to pull ahead of Miami and maintain that lead all the way until when he makes his decision closer to signing day.”

Credit: 247Sports

Class of 2016 wide receiver Javon McKinley will also be making his collegiate decision closer to signing day. The No. 19 wideout and No. 116 player in the country is planning to pledge at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in January. In addition to this weekend’s official to South Bend, McKinley took an official visit to Washington last month and Tennessee last weekend, and he has officials planned to UCLA and Oregon, too.

“Notre Dame’s been the leader or co-leader for nearly his entire recruitment,” Loy said. “He’s an absolute priority for Notre Dame in this class. They’re hoping to make a move this weekend. It’s a close battle between Notre Dame, Washington, Oregon, USC and UCLA. But the Irish are hoping to pull out in front during his likely last trip to campus before deciding at the Army Bowl.”

Other expected visitors, per Irish247, include 2016 defensive backs Damar Hamlin, Ikenna Okeke and Virginia Tech commit Troy Pride Jr. The 2017 visitors include defensive tackle Jerron Cage—an Ohio State pledge and the younger brother of Irish sophomore defensive lineman Daniel Cage—and linebacker David Adams.

“I think in terms of overall talent, this weekend’s gonna be a little better [than the Texas weekend],” Loy said. “The 2017s were pretty loaded for what they had for Texas. I think they’re very comparable. Notre Dame went into this season wanting two huge recruiting weekends. They’re gonna get that with Texas and USC.”

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

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