Khalid Kareem to Notre Dame: Fighting Irish Land 4-Star DE Prospect

Notre Dame has scored a big-time recruit for 2016, as defensive end Khalid Kareem will be the newest member of the Fighting Irish next season. 

Irish Sports Daily reported Kareem's commitment to Notre Dame. Kareem then followed that up with a tweet explaining his decision:

He has had a whirlwind recruiting road.

The Michigan native announced in June that he was going to the University of Alabama. But less than two weeks ago, per Perry A. Farrell and James Jahnke of the Detroit Free Press, he decommitted from Alabama to stay closer to home:

"

After careful consideration and a lot of heart felt talks with my mother. In my families best interest we've informed the Coaches that I am decommitted from the University of Alabama at this time. Thank you to Coach Saban and Coach Williams and Coach Tosh for everything you've taught me a long the way. Thank you to the entire Crimson Tide family and community.

"

Now, the Fighting Irish get to reap the rewards. Kareem is rated as a 4-star prospect and No. 9 strong-side defensive end by 247Sports after racking up 85 tackles and 18 sacks in 2014.

Per 247Sports' team recruiting rankings, his commitment gives Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly 17 total commitments for 2016 and the 13th-ranked class. 

Kareem is built like a college football defensive lineman already at 6'4" and 260 pounds, so that pass-rushing prowess should have no problem carrying over.

The Fighting Irish have recruited and developed strong defenders recently, notably Jaylon Smith this year. Kareem is the latest addition to the deep Kelly recruiting pool and will be a staple of the defense very soon.