Notre Dame Targets Ex-USC, Alabama Commits to Add to Strong Recruiting Class

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish claimed a victory over longtime nemesis USC on Saturday afternoon in front of a raucous home crowd that included several premier college football recruits.

For visiting linebacker Daelin Hayes, the matchup created a unique dynamic. 

The 4-star Michigan product spent Saturday in South Bend less than a week after announcing his decommitment from USC. He was one of two top-tier linebackers—along with California standout Mique Juarez—to end lengthy Trojans pledges in the wake of highly publicized issues that led to head coach Steve Sarkisian's dismissal. 

Hayes, a 6'4", 235-pound senior at Skyline High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan, announced official visit plans last Wednesday. Notre Dame led off a schedule that includes trips to Oklahoma, Ohio State, Michigan State and LSU.

"If I had to give a No. 1 school right now, Notre Dame would probably be it," he told David Goricki of the Detroit News before heading to campus. 

The Irish seemingly strengthened that sentiment during his stay in South Bend.

“Notre Dame definitely set the bar,” Hayes told Tom Loy of 247Sports. “They shattered any expectations I had for the visit. It was just a great experience. And the game itself, that was amazing. It was unreal."

"

Safe to say that ND is lit  #Irish #9  pic.twitter.com/itTzTue9qx

— ⚡️Daelin Hayes⚡️ (@DaelinHayes_24) October 17, 2015"

The Irish prevailed 41-31, improving to 6-1 this season. Lauded Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith, a close friend of Hayes, provided further incentive for a future in South Bend during a Sunday morning discussion.

"He said if I do end up coming to Notre Dame, he’s going to give me No. 9. He’s passing it down," Hayes told Loy. "He said Manti Te'o passed the right of being the next big linebacker at Notre Dame to him and he wants to pass that down to me.”

There could be competition to become the Irish's next great linebacker in this recruiting cycle. 

Texas standout Jeff McCulloch was also on campus during the weekend. Rated sixth nationally among outside linebackers, the 6'2 1/2", 230-pound playmaker is considering several universities and caught an up-close look at Notre Dame. 

Ohio offensive tackle Tommy Kraemer, the top-ranked member of a 2016 Irish class rated 15th nationally in composite rankings, also attended the USC game. He aimed to make strides with the prized pair of linebackers.

"I think we have a shot with both of them. I know they have a couple more official visits but hopefully we get them," Kraemer told Andrew Ivins of Rivals.com.

Aside from Hayes, Irish head coach Brian Kelly has his eyes on another top-tier Michigan prospect who was pledged elsewhere until recently.

Defensive end Khalid Kareem, a 6'4", 260-pound prospect from Harrison High School, used an official visit at Notre Dame days after decommitting from Alabama. Coming off an 18-sack junior campaign, the pass-rusher is an important piece of Irish recruiting efforts less than four months shy of national signing day.

Kareem, who initially joined the Crimson Tide class in June, is considered the ninth-best strong-side defensive end in composite rankings. Notre Dame was a legitimate contender prior to that decision and now seems to be right back in the thick of things.

“It gave me a better feel for what Notre Dame is as a whole, the part that you don’t see on Saturdays. They are a good fit right now," he told Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports. “They were saying they need guys like me to be leaders in the classroom and help them on the field."

The Irish currently lead in Kareem's 247Sports Crystal Ball, carrying 52 percent of experts' predictions. Perhaps most telling, the past 11 projections have gone toward Notre Dame.

With a game-day visitors' list featuring talents like Kareem, Hayes, McCulloch, coveted California wide receiver Javon McKinley and gifted Pennsylvania cornerback Damar Hamlin, it's clear the Irish are trending well with many of this cycle's marquee names.

Once decisions are finalized Feb. 3, Notre Dame could claim signatures from scintillating athletes once expected to shine on SEC and Pac-12 platforms. 

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