National Signing Day 2011: Which Notre Dame Commitments Will Play As Freshmen?

With National Signing Day less than two weeks away, Notre Dame is sitting with 23 verbals right now with the addition of Stephon Tuitt last night. Let's take a look at who from this new class has a chance to fill some of the holes left from graduation and who will leapfrog into the two deep or even higher. There are others that will find the field through special teams.

Anything can happen between now and next September, as we have seen over the past two weeks, but from where Notre Dame stands right now, these are some incoming freshman that might make an early impact.

Aaron Lynch

Aaron Lynch (photo courtesy of Orlando Sentinal)

As an early enrollee, Aaron Lynch is already enrolled in classes getting a head start on the next phase of his college career. With Kapron Lewis-Moore and Ethan Johnson, both juniors, at the top of the depth chart at the end of the 2010 season, Lynch will have to make the most of his extra time in the program to start immediately. It is not out of the question for Aaron Lynch to be in the two deep, though.

Lynch is a high impact player that will see significant playing time as a freshman. Players like Lynch don't come around very often, and his extra time with coach Longo should have him in the best shape of his life by September.

Ishaq Williams

Ishaq Williams (photo courtesy of Rivals.com)

Ishaq Williams is another early enrollee that should see significant time in 2011. A surprise signing to some, Williams chose Notre Dame over Penn State and Syracuse.

Williams should put us a battle with Prince Shembo and Steve Filer at the outside linebacker position. Williams is another player that is too talented to be kept off the field. While his leg strength has been questioned by some, extra time spent with coach Longo will stifle those critics.

Look for Ishaq Williams to take advantage of his early enrollment status and be on the field from the beginning of the 2011 season.

Kyle Brindza

Kyle Brindza (photo courtesy of plymouthcantonsports.com)

Kicker and punter Kyle Brindza has a booming leg with multiple field goals from over 50 yards as a senior in Plymouth, Michigan in 2010.

Don't look for Brindza to challenge for the place kicking duties in 2011, but his monster leg has delivered on punts as well. While Ben Turk has a great "touch" placing the ball coffin corner style, he doesn't deliver booming punts. Brindza connected on a 70 yard punt this season.

The top rated kicker in Michigan, Brindza participated in the Offense/Defense Bowl in Myrtle Beach on December  31st. He is another early enrollee.

Eilar Hardy

Eilar Hardy (photo courtesy of thisweeknews.com)

Defensive back recruit Eilar Hardy is a six foot, 170 pound speedster out of Pinkerington, Ohio. Ranked the number 12 safety by Rivals, Hardy brings 4.4 speed with him. He can play either safety or corner. Wile the Irish secondary is established so to speak, with Harrison Smith,Zeke Motta and Jamoris Slaughter at safety, the corners are being secured by Gary Gray, Robert Blanton and Lo Wood.

With this in mind, and taking the injury factor into the equation, Eilar Hardy stands the best chance to see playing time this season over other incoming freshman defensive backs.

DaVaris Daniels

DaVaris Daniels (photo courtesy of blogs.ajc.com)

DaVaris Daniels is a six foot, three inch 190 pound wide receiver with 4.4 speed and a 41 inch vertical. Daniels chose the Irish over the likes of Miami, Michigan, Arkansas and Nebraska among others.

With the depth at the wide receiver position, it's highly unlikely that Daniels would crack the two deep without injuries. Daniels could see time in a role much like John Goodman and Austin Collinsworth played this season on special teams.

Daniels is the only "pure receiver" in this class and should see time over athletes Mathias Farley and George Atkinson.

Stephon Tuitt

Stephon Tuitt (photo courtesy of Fox Sports)

Stephon Tuitt, you already know the numbers and the hype, but this 5-star recruit will make an immediate impact in 2011. Rated by Rivals as the number two defensive end, Tuitt is a brilliant defender.

Tuitt made his official visit to Notre Dame the weekend of the Michigan game, and it has been noted that both Stephon and his mother, who has been a life long Irish fan, were overwhelmed by the campus.

In a mere 36 hour period this week, Tuitt switched from Notre Dame to Georgia Tech and back to the Irish. It's great to have him back home.

Matt Hegarty

Matt Hegarty (photo courtesy of Rivals.com)

At six foot five inches and 265 pounds, Matt Hegarty chose the Irish over Stanford, Harvard, Northwestern, and USC, just to name a few of the 22 schools in persuit of his talents.

This New Mexico native was named to the MaxPreps Junior All-American first team. He is one of the hottest recruits out of New Mexico in some time.

Coach Kelly is looking to the future by bolstering the offensive line, and Hegarty will play a big role in the strengthening the interior.

While not likely to crack the two deep at the beginning of the season, Hegarty could see some time later on, especially if the injury bug hits some of the Big Fellas.