Notre Dame Football: Ranking the Irish's Top 5 Recruiting Targets for 2017

Signing day 2017 is just days away—well, at least, that's basically what it feels like in today's era of never-ending recruiting.

The Fighting Irish are in position to chase some of the nation's premier talent to fill current weaknesses as well as address anticipated holes on the roster.

Excluding committed prospects—such as No. 1 tight end Brock Wright—Notre Dame has five top targets on the board.

Although they're not exclusively the top-ranked players, each prospect included is currently rated among the 100 best in the country.

Avery Davis

Notre Dame doesn't have a quarterback problem, but the forward-thinking move is to recruit players who can develop while redshirting. Avery Davis could be that guy.

A 4-star dual-threat from Texas, Davis clearly has an interest in the Irish. First, he took an unofficial in mid-November. Per Tom Loy of 247Sports, the coaching staff made sure Davis knew he was a top priority.

Davis is also scheduled to attend junior day on March 19.

Last season, he completed 65.4 percent of 211 attempts for 2,148 yards and 25 touchdowns while tossing just four interceptions. Davis added 873 yards and 13 touchdowns as a runner.

Austin Jackson

Credit: 247Sports

Austin Jackson

In all likelihood, at least one tackle spot will be vacant in 2018 after Mike McGlinchey graduates. The other side probably opens the following year once Blake Bars exhausts his eligibility.

Brian Kelly and Co. wouldn't mind having Austin Jackson competing for either spot.

The No. 14 overall prospect in the 2017 cycle, he already holds 21 offers. Jackson said Notre Dame is "definitely a school I'm considering," per Taylor Hamm of 247Sports, via Loy.

Jackson is already a highly recruited player, so the Irish must work hard to secure one of his five official visits.

Foster Sarell

Credit: 247Sports

Foster Sarell

A program can never have too many offensive linemen, especially if it has an opportunity to land a talent like Foster Sarell.

Sporting a 6'6", 320-pound frame, Sarell is well above the threshold for each position along the offensive line at a power program. No wonder he already holds offers from Alabama, Michigan, Notre Dame and 10 other schools.

But the Irish are in the battle for the 5-star tackle from Washington. According to Brandon Huffman of Scout, Sarell said his next visit will be to South Bend.

Getting the nation's No. 8 overall prospect on campus is a vital step. Making him want to return is the next test.

Donovan Peoples-Jones

The Irish have a handful of top options at wide receiver, but Donovan Peoples-Jones holds the No. 1 ranking at the position.

A 6'2", 192-pounder from Detroit, Peoples-Jones won't run out of choices. He could select any of the Midwestern powerhouses like Michigan State, Ohio State and Michigan. Alabama, LSU, Florida, Miami and many others are interested, too.

Peoples-Jones attended a Notre Dame junior day in January, so the 5-star is familiar with what the school has to offer.

Looking ahead, the Irish have plenty of opportunity for young wideouts. In addition to losing Will Fuller, Chris Brown and even C.J. Prosise after 2015, Corey Robinson will depart following 2016.

People-Jones could slide directly into the rotation. Then again, he has the potential to do that anywhere.

Joshua Kaindoh

Credit: 247Sports

Joshua Kaindoh

Notre Dame probably won't go down quietly with Iowa commit A.J. Epenesa, but Joshua Kaindoh, the nation's No. 1 weak-side defensive end, arguably has a higher ceiling.

He's a unique specimen, standing 6'6" and weighing 256 pounds. Every college football program covets a 5-star with those measurables.

Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports notes Kaindoh—an aspiring doctor and a potential early enrollee—said he is "very high on Notre Dame" because of both academics and athletics. 

Kaindoh, who attends elite football-finishing school IMG Academy, will visit the campus. The Irish will do everything they can to bring Kaindoh back to South Bend.

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All recruiting information via 247Sports. Stats from cfbstats.com or B/R research. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.