Notre Dame Football: An Update on Fighting Irish Recruiting

With Notre Dame recruiting rumblings making some noise in the past few weeks, it's time to take a look at where the program stands in the ever-changing world that is college football recruiting. 

The program hosted a slew of blue-chip prospects two weeks ago for the USC game, and many came away impressed despite the 31-17 loss to the Trojans. 

Many consider that weekend to be, perhaps, the most significant few days for recruiting in the program's history.

So after that monumental weekend, what does Notre Dame's recruiting landscape look like?

Follow along for answers.

RB Keith Marshall

Running back Keith Marshall, rated as the nation's 65th best player per Rivals.com, was thoroughly impressed following his visit to South Bend.

Rivals.com recruiting analyst Mike Farrell had a chance to speak with Keith Marshall a few days after the Millbrook, North Carolina native returned home from his visit.

According to Farrell, Keith Marshall had a great visit to South Bend.

If Marshall were to choose Notre Dame, he'd be teamed up with current commit William Mahone in the Irish backfield, forming a "thunder and lightning" combination.

Mahone is doing his best to pitch the idea. He had a short conversation with Keith Marshall via the social media site Twitter a few weeks ago.

Irish Sports News has the full transcript of that conversation.

Keith Marshall's decision will come down to the only three schools that he has officially visited: Georgia, Florida and Notre Dame.

WR Chris Brown

After wavering in his commitment for the better part of the last month, Hanahan, South Carolina native Chris Brown confirmed his commitment to the Irish.

According to Brian Dohn of Scout.com, Chris Brown made a return trip to South Bend for the USC game, and brought his family along with him to show them why he loves Notre Dame.

Brown spoke with Philip Bowman of the Charleston Post and Courier and explained his affinity for the Irish.

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"They offer everything. The education, the football team and things like that. The tradition speaks for itself. I got to walk past 'Touchdown Jesus' with the Notre Dame players. I was sold right there. It was great fun and I got to see a great game."

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Brown's parents understood that explanation, yet desired to see it for themselves because of the fact that they have a twenty percent stake in the decision according to the elder Brown.

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"I'm ecstatic that he's going to Notre Dame. It's a great school, and the great tradition speaks for itself."

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Now that Chris Brown has the full support and blessing of his parents, his future in blue and gold is sealed.

DB Shaq Thompson

After numerous rumors circulated that Shaq Thompson was being swayed toward Notre Dame by current Irish defensive back commits Tee Shepard and Ronald Darby, the Sacramento native no longer seems interested.

Thompson spoke with Rivals.com recruiting analyst Adam Gorney a few days before his official visit to Notre Dame. 

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"Oregon and Washington are tied. There is no leader, nothing like that. I like Oregon, I like Washington and I like Cal. Cal is No. 2 because Oregon and Washington are tied for first"

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Based on that statement, it seems as if the Irish are out of the running for his services.

That's a devastating blow to Notre Dame's defensive recruiting efforts, as Brian Kelly and co. were looking for lock up a safety with Harrison Smith currently in his final season of eligibility.

QB Gunner Kiel

Gunner Kiel, the nation's top-rated quarterback according to Rivals.com, recently opened up his recruitment after having been committed to Indiana since July.

The nephew of former Notre Dame quarterback Blair Kiel took an unofficial visit for the USC game days after announcing his availability.

In a recent roundtable discussion, Rivals.com recruiting analyst Mike Farrell gave his thoughts on Kiel's situation.

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"I think he wants to be closer to home, so Michigan and Notre Dame are the two schools to watch. For a five-star quarterback to open up his recruitment at this stage of the game, it's going to be a huge deal. It is going to be one of the biggest recruiting battles down the stretch that we've seen in quite some time."

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Farrell is spot on about Notre Dame and Michigan being the two schools to watch after Oklahoma and Alabama both snatched up quarterbacks after Gunner Kiel committed to Indiana.

Will his family's connection to Notre Dame have any effect on his final decision?

We're likely to find out soon, as Kiel is set to graduate from Columbus East (Indiana) High School in December.

DB Tee Shepard

Considered to be Notre Dame's top commit in the 2012 class, Tee Shepard experienced some uneasy feelings after eligibility issues forced him to sit out his entire senior season.

However, things have settled since then, and Shepard is set to graduate in December before enrolling at Notre Dame for the spring semester. 

Irish fans began to worry during that period of uncertainty, but Shepard calmed those fears with a simple message on his Twitter account.

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"I am married to Notre Dame! Nobody in this world can't take my ring off my finger even if they chopped it off."

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If that doesn't prove his allegiance to Notre Dame, I don't know what does.

ATH David Perkins

After committing to his hometown team over the summer, South Bend Washington High School's David Perkins has re-opened his recruitment.

Washington High coach Antwon Jones, a former Notre Dame defensive lineman, doesn't think the Irish should worry.

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“He wants to take official visits to other schools. It’s not that he doesn’t like Notre Dame. It’s one of those deals where he wants to make the right decision. He likes Notre Dame and really sees himself at Notre Dame.”

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You can't fault Perkins for wanting to make sure he's making the best decision for himself. The next four years will affect the rest of his life, making it a very important decision.

Perkins' coach went on to add another layer of assurance for Notre Dame fans.

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"Notre Dame is still his favorite school. He wants to make sure he’s making the right decision.”

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There doesn't seem to be much reason to worry.