Notre Dame Recruiting: Overview of 2012 Commitments Thus Far

With the commitment of David Perkins yesterday morning, the 2012 Notre Dame recruiting class grew to 10.

Perkins is yet another four-star prospect in the 2012 class to have committed to the Irish.

He will have many other highly sought after prospects join him in South Bend next summer.

Many believe Brian Kelly will only build upon last year's crop which many recruiting services ranked as a top 10 class.

2012 could prove to be one of the best recruiting cycles in program history.

Follow along as we go through the 2012 class thus far.

Nicky Baratti

Nicky Baratti, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound athlete from Spring, Texas, committed to Notre Dame over the Blue-Gold game weekend.

He has been rated as a three-star player by 247sports.com.

Baratti will most likely play at the safety position for the Irish despite having transitioned to quarterback last season.

Baratti tells Jake Brown of IrishIllustrated.com, "I don't really care what I play. I love football. I love the game. I don't wanna go to a good school and not play as a quarterback then wait for my senior year and finally play. I'll play wherever I can fit in and everything. I don't really have a preference."

Scott Daly

A 6-foot-4, 230-pound lineman from Downers Grove, Illinois, Scott Daly was recruited by Notre Dame for his long-snapping services.

Many fans may wonder why head coach Brian Kelly would use a scholarship for a pure long snapper, but the move will pay dividends as he won't have to worry about a suspect kicking/punting operation.

Daly's long snapping coach Chris Rubio recently spoke with Jake Brown of IrishIllustrated.com.

"He's the best (long snapper) in the class of 2012. He's extremely athletic and smooth. Tremendous frame. He's very, very hardworking. He's one of those kids that when he snaps the ball you're like 'Ah, that's OK.' And then it just crushes your hand. It's one of the fastest snaps in the country but it's so smooth that it shocks you."

Ronald Darby

A native of Oxon Hill, Maryland, Ronald Darby is a 5-foot-11, 172-pound defensive back.

He is a four-star prospect according to Rivals.com.

Darby is thought to be the best player in the Irish's 2012 class thus far.

He'll play either running back, defensive back at Notre Dame.

He's also a prime candidate for kick-returning duties because of his reputation as the fastest player in the 2012 class. 

Darby hinted at his position preference when he told Steve Hare of IrishIllustrated.com, "I really like defense best and special teams. I like to be the one to deliver the hit."

Taylor Decker

Offensive lineman and Vandalia, Ohio native Taylor Decker was one of the first 2012 prospects to commit to the Irish, doing so at the beginning of March.

Decker is a physical specimen, standing 6-foot-8 and weighing in at 270 pounds.

He takes a lot of pride in playing on the offensive line, like he told Jake Brown of IrishIllustrated.com.

"I'd say I'm versatile. I know in my high school I play tackle primarily but there are some plays where I switch to guard I can move well; come off the ball well. I like to finish blocks. That's my favorite thing in the world. I play to the whistle and just play hard."

Justin Ferguson

One of Brian Kelly's goals in the 2012 recruiting cycle was to add depth at receiver.

He made a great addition to the position with the commitment of Flanagan (Fla.) High receiver Justin Ferguson.

He's similar in size to current Irish receiver Michael Floyd, standing 6-foot-2 and weighing in at 205 pounds.

Ferguson is considered to be one of the nation's best receiver prospects in the 2012 class.

Deontay Greenberry

Joining Justin Ferguson at the receiver position is four-star receiver Deontay Greenberry, a Fresno, California native.

Greenberry is the cousin of fellow 2012 Irish commit Tee Shepherd.

The two had been planning on playing together for quite some time now.

Greenberry told Jake Brown of IrishIllustrated.com his feelings on joining the team.

"I feel like I can come in and contribute to their offense. Or whatever they want me to do. I just wanna help them, you know?"

Greenberry also spoke with the South Bend Tribune about his catching ability.

"I'm good at all of it. Oh man, you're gonna see a lot of amazing grabs."

Recruiting analyst Tom Lemming recently gave his take on Greenberry's freakish athletic ability.

"Physically he already looks like a major college wide receiver. He's a go-to receiver."

Mark Harrell

Late last month Notre Dame received a commitment from Charlotte Catholic High offensive tackle Mark Harrell.

Harrell is another monster lineman who will team up with fellow Irish offensive line commit Taylor Decker.

He already has the body of a college lineman, standing 6-foot-5 and weighing in at 270 pounds.

Recruiting analyst Tom Lemming had high praise for Harrell.

"A good, solid, down-the-line guy. A solid prospect. Definitely a Notre Dame type of kid."

Harrell spoke to the South Bend Tribune about his experience playing at tight end in high school.

"I feel like I have an athletic side to me as well as my size."

David Perkins

Brian Kelly proved that he'll never pass on homegrown talent as evidenced by yesterday's commitment of South Bend Washington High athlete David Perkins.

Perkins joins fellow South Bend native and Irish receiver Daniel Smith on the squad.

Perkins, a 6-foot-2, 209-pound athlete, will either play running back or linebacker at Notre Dame.

He put up impressive stats last season rushing for 765 yards and three scores, hauling in 12 receptions for 176 yards and four scores, as well as registering 63 tackles (16 TFL), and 13 sacks.

CJ Prosise

With safety Harrison Smith in his last season of eligibility, Brian Kelly needed a commitment from a safety in the 2012 recruiting class.

Check.

Woodberry Forest School safety CJ Prosise gave the Irish his commitment late last month.

He has great size, standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing in at 190 pounds.

Recruiting analyst Tom Lemming was impressed with his athleticism.

"He's a tall, athletic safety. He's got good size and he's physical. Possibly could grow into a linebacker."

Prosise's high school coach, Clint Alexander, praised his physical ability on the football field while speaking to the South Bend Tribune.

"The one thing the Notre Dame coaches loved is how much ground he covers off the hash (mark). He can line up on the hash and get to the fade on the sideline. And he can go up over people and get it."

Tee Shepard

Joining his cousin Deontay Greenberry in South Bend will be cornerback Tee Shepard.

Shepard, a 6-foot-1, 180-pound Fresno native, has been rated as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com.

Scott Kennedy of Scout.com weighed in on Shepard's abilities.

"A long, rangy defensive back, Shepard has safety size and plays corner and safety for his Central team. He is excellent in coverage and has great hands. He has a fluid hip turn and does a good job of looking back for the ball. He appears to prefer to play on the perimeter rather than mixing it up near the line of scrimmage which could lead him to stick at corner on the next level. He is outstanding against the pass."