Notre Dame Football: Forget Stanford, Here Are 5 2012 Recruits to Be Excited For

Now that this one looks out of hand for Brian Kelly and Notre Dame, it's time to bag this game and look forward to the 2012 season.

A likely berth in the Champs Sports Bowl is certainly not what Kelly had hoped for coming into the 2011 season, but looking back on things, it could have been much worse considering the way the season began.

So with that in mind, I say forget Stanford. Here are five 2012 commits to be excited for.

CB Tee Shepard

Tee Shepard is a five-star recruit according to Scout.com and ranks as the third best corner on their board. He has the size of a safety, but possesses excellent coverage skills.

He's got the speed to go along with the size as well and could project as a shutdown corner in the Notre Dame secondary for years to come.

WR Deontay Greenberry

Greenberry is a Scout.com four-star recruit and ranks as the seventh best wide receiver on their board.

With Michael Floyd's pending departure, the Fighting Irish could use another playmaker on the outside and Greenberry could eventually step into that role.

He's got great size and excellent hands and could become a red-zone weapon. As a receiver, Greenberry has the complete package of both size and strength.

DT Jarron Jones

Notre Dame loaded up this year with highly ranked beef on the defensive line. One of those guys is Jones, who Scout.com has as a four-star guy and the seventh rated defensive tackle on the board.

Jones stands 6'5" and tips the scales at 300 pounds. The Rochester, New York, native has shown a knack for being a disruption on the defensive line and could eventually step into a role as a run-stopper for the Fighting Irish.

DT Sheldon Day

More beef up front for Notre Dame in the form of Indianapolis, Indiana, native Sheldon Day.

Day is a Scout.com five-star recruit and clocks in as the sixth best defensive lineman on the board.

He's a guy that should be able to stop the run, but also has an ability to get to the quarterback. You can never have too many talented defensive linemen, and Kelly has done a pretty good job of bringing in some quality ones.

CB Ronald Darby

If you notice a trend here, it's that Notre Dame has really focused on the defensive side of the ball with the Class of 2012.

Their biggest coup was the commitment of Ronald Darby, who Scout.com has ranked as a five-star guy and the top corner on the board.

Darby has absolute blazing speed and excelled in high school as a corner, running back and return specialist.

He can run and has exceptional coverage skills and could be the type of guy to step in and make an impact somewhere right off the bat.

You can never have too much speed or playmakers, and Kelly certainly addressed that need with Darby.