The 4 Recruits That Will Make or Break Notre Dame's National Signing Day

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — As recruits schedule their last-minute official visits and coaches make their last in-home trips, national signing day is hurtling around the corner—now just two weeks away.

Notre Dame football’s class of 2016 is 22 members strong and currently slotted as the No. 8 class in the nation. Still, the Irish are looking to make a late push and add a few more prospects to bulk up and polish the class.

Who are the names to know on national signing day—the recruits that could join the Irish and strengthen the class?

Demetris Robertson

Credit: 247Sports

Demetris Robertson is the hot name right now in Notre Dame recruiting.

The Savannah, Georgia, native is listed as a 5-star athlete and is pegged as the No. 1 wide receiver and No. 13 overall recruit in the country.

Notre Dame is currently jockeying with Alabama, Stanford and Georgia, according to Irish247’s Tom Loy, though the battle could really come down to the Irish and Crimson Tide. Irish head coach Brian Kelly, offensive coordinator Mike Sanford, tight ends coach Scott Booker and running backs coach Autry Denson went in-home with Robertson on Monday, per Loy.

Robertson, who has drawn comparisons to departing Irish All-American wideout Will Fuller, is scheduled to take an official visit to Alabama this weekend and set to announce on national signing day, per Loy.

Robertson is the sort of elite talent that can take a recruiting class to the next level and challenge to make an immediate impact in 2016.

Caleb Kelly

Credit: 247Sports

Like Robertson, outside linebacker Caleb Kelly is a top-tier talent in the class of 2016.

The Fresno, California, product is the No. 3 outside linebacker and No. 23 overall prospect in the nation. Caleb Kelly took an official visit to South Bend in mid-December for Notre Dame’s banquet weekend. Oklahoma is considered the main threat to the Irish, per Loy.

Caleb Kelly would bring impressive athleticism to a linebacking corps looking to replace Jaylon Smith and Joe Schmidt. Per Loy, associate head coach Mike Denbrock and defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder were scheduled to go in-home with Caleb Kelly on Tuesday, and Brian Kelly is expected to use his visit during the final week before national signing day—when the 5-star prospect announces his decision.

Jonathan Jones

Credit: 247Sports

Another outside linebacker, Florida native Jonathan Jones, is considering Notre Dame and will announce his decision on national signing day.

Jones is the No. 30 player at his position and the No. 436 overall recruit in the class. Jones is deciding between Notre Dame and Michigan, though he also has an upcoming official visit to Duke planned for this weekend, according to Loy.

“I couldn’t feel better about Notre Dame’s chances at this point,” Loy wrote Monday.

While Jones isn’t as highly touted as Kelly, adding another linebacker is important for the Irish, who could potentially position classmates Daelin Hayes and Jamir Jones as defensive linemen.

Jeffrey McCulloch

Credit: 247Sports

While we’re still speaking of linebackers, Houston native Jeffrey McCulloch is still on Notre Dame’s board.

The No. 4 outside linebacker and No. 59 overall prospect in the country, McCulloch is considering Texas, Texas A&M, Alabama and Stanford, in addition to Notre Dame, per Loy. Texas and head coach Charlie Strong may have pushed past the Irish recently, according to Loy.

McCulloch was originally scheduled to visit Alabama this weekend, but the 4-star prospect announced Tuesday night that he’ll instead visit Texas A&M.

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.