Notre Dame Football: Previewing the Recruiting Weekend

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — After adding another commitment Thursday, the Notre Dame football recruiting engine continues revving as the Fighting Irish host a handful of prospects for their annual banquet weekend.

Class of 2016 linebacker Daelin Hayes pledged to the Irish on Thursday, choosing Notre Dame over Michigan State and Ohio State. The former USC commitment is the No. 9 outside linebacker and No. 120 overall prospect in the class.

With that momentum, Notre Dame is set to host roughly 10 prospects, per Irish247, on campus this weekend, which kicks off with the annual awards banquet Friday night.

“I think Notre Dame has a chance to finish as strong or stronger than any school in the country,” Irish247’s Tom Loy said. “There’s some big names still out there and with 19 commitments, it honestly wouldn’t surprise me to see Notre Dame hit 25. … Momentum-wise, things look really good for Notre Dame right now.”

Credit: 247Sports

Class of 2016 outside linebacker Caleb Kelly headlines the weekend visitors. The No. 3 player at his position and the No. 23 overall recruit in the country, Kelly is concluding a slate of official visits that includes Oklahoma, Oregon and Michigan.

“Caleb is a lot like [Irish linebacker] Jaylon Smith to be honest,” Loy said. “There’s a lot of similarities at the high-school level when you compare them side by side. And it’s no surprise we’re talking about two 5-star players at the high-school level. Caleb has speed, the physicality you want to see at this level. He’s a guy that plays aggressive, but he’s also controlled."

Kelly, a Fresno, California, product, most recently took an official visit to Norman, Oklahoma.

“I think Notre Dame is in second right now, and that’s even heading into his visit,” Loy said. “I think Oklahoma has a very strong lead. The Sooners have done extremely well in Fresno, California, in the past. … Right now, I do think he ends up at Oklahoma. But I think he gives Notre Dame a strong, strong look this weekend.”

The Irish currently hold 19 commits in their class of 2016. Hayes and defensive lineman Khalid Kareem highlight the group of pledges in the front seven, and Kelly, of course, would be a massive addition to the class currently ranked 12th nationally.

Credit: 247Sports

In addition to Kelly, the Irish are scheduled to host class of 2016 target Jordan Fuller. The defensive back is slotted as the No. 8 athlete and No. 128 overall prospect in the class. Fuller visited South Bend in late July. Per Irish247’s Loy, Notre Dame is competing with Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan, among others, for the services of the 4-star recruit.

“Jordan Fuller is a guy that I do not believe is an elite talent, but I think he’s a guy that’s really good in a lot of areas,” Loy said. “You know what you’re gonna get with a guy like Jordan Fuller. He’s very athletic. He’s a great two-way player. He’s very good at defensive back, when you’re talking about safety and cornerback. … And also he’s a very good wide receiver.”

Notre Dame is also set to welcome a group of commitments, including defensive end Julian Okwara, wide receiver Chase Claypool, offensive linemen Tommy Kraemer and Liam Eichenberg, cornerback Julian Love, defensive end/linebacker Jamir Jones, defensive end Adetokunbo Ogundeji and long snapper John Shannon, to campus, per Irish247.

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.