Ishaq Williams Commits to Notre Dame: Defensive Uprising in South Bend

"Ishaq is Irish. See you in South Bend" was the quote from the prized recruit's father today on twitter.

With the commitment of Ishaq Williams, Brian Kelly has landed another cornerstone player in what is quickly becoming a formidable defense. Manti Te'o will be joined by quality cover corner Eilar Hardy, defensive line standouts Stephon Tuitt and Anthony Rabassa and a host of quality depth additions to both the defensive line and secondary.

Also potentially on the horizon is Aaron Lynch, who decommitted from Florida State following the US Army All-American Game last weekend and missed the beginning of FSU's spring semester to visit South Bend and contemplate an early enrollment with the Irish.

The vast improvement of the Irish defense over the 2010 season already has Irish prospects on the rise. Long the Achilles heel of the Notre Dame program, stout performances against Utah, USC and Miami have given rise to new-found belief in the Irish defense.

It is largely these improvements, along with the return of one Michael Floyd on the offensive side of the ball, that have landed the Irish in everyone's amazingly premature preseason Top 25 poll.

Once these young men are officially enrolled in uniform and contributing on the field, that optimism should quickly transform into a lot of quarterback sacks, turnovers and wins.

It also is a great indicator that unlike his predecessor, Brian Kelly gets it. Games aren't won by a 5-star receiver and quarterback alone, but by a hoard of solid interior line players on both sides of the ball. Kelly's first two recruiting classes with Notre Dame have not only brought talent, but talent at needed positions.

For the first time in a long time, there will be a punishing defense wearing Blue and Gold in South Bend.