Gunner Kiel Decommits from Indiana: Notre Dame and His Top Contenders

Gunner Kiel, the nation's top quarterback prospect, decommitted from Indiana on Friday and has decided to open his recruitment back up. 

According to the report from Blue and Gold Illustrated, Kiel will be visiting Notre Dame this weekend for the Irish's game against USC. 

Before Kiel's initial commitment to Indiana, Notre Dame was one of his top contenders. So at this point the Irish have to be considered a serious contender for his services. 

Adding Kiel to a 2012 recruiting class that's already rated as one of the finest in the nation would be a huge boost for Notre Dame and could give Brian Kelly the type of quarterback he's been lacking since taking over as head coach in 2010. 

Notre Dame isn't the only team in the mix though. Alabama was another serious contender and offers were on the table from a half dozen top-tier teams that could be making another run at him now. 

Let's break down the top contenders for Kiel.

5. Michigan

Earlier in Kiel's recruitment Michigan was the team that just wouldn't go away. Even with Alabama and Oklahoma seemingly having a stranglehold on the race, the Wolverines continued to be mentioned as a possibility.

Kiel has always spoken highly of Michigan, but that doesn't seem like enough anymore. 

Notre Dame, Alabama and Oklahoma all have a better shot than the Wolverines, but like always they're in the mix.

4. Indiana

Kiel might have decided to decommit from Indiana, but he wouldn't be the first recruit to recommit to a school. 

There's a reason he made this choice to begin with. Indiana's head coach Kevin Wilson used to be the offensive coordinator at Oklahoma and helped coach Sam Bradford into the No. 1 overall pick of the 2010 NFL draft. 

Kiel's hometown team isn't out of this one yet. 

3. Oklahoma

Before Kiel surprised everyone and committed to Indiana, Oklahoma and Alabama were considered his clear favorites. 

Considering the long line of successful quarterbacks Bob Stoops has coached for the Sooners, the attraction isn't hard to see. 

Three-star quarterback Trevor Knight is the only quarterback in Oklahoma's 2012 class so far, and with Landry Jones expected to declare for the 2012 NFL Draft, there's a definite opening in the quarterback rotation.

2. Alabama

If anyone knows how to get their hands on top recruits, it's Alabama's Nick Saban.

Back when he was originally recruiting Kiel, the biggest roadblock in the way was fellow five-star quarterback Jameis Winston, the Alabama native that had long been linked to the Tide. 

Winston eventually chose Florida State over Alabama though, so Kiel now obviously becomes a huge priority for Nick Saban and his staff. Quarterback is one of the few weaknesses of Alabama right now and Kiel could find his way onto the field sooner than you might think.

1. Notre Dame

Kiel will be one of several high-profile recruits in South Bend this weekend for the Irish's game against USC. 

He'll be joined by fellow top-25 recruits Keith Marshall, Arik Armstead and Shaq Thompson. It wouldn't be surprising to see commitments from any one of them, though in-game commitments aren't typically how things happen.

Kiel is a great fit for Notre Dame and Brian Kelly's offense. Watching the team play USC this weekend could be all that's needed to get him off the fence.