Notre Dame Recruiting: Attempts to Steal Nebraska Recruit Is No Surprise

Notre Dame will host a talented recruit this weekend, but the only problem is that he is already committed to play at Nebraska. The Fighting Irish will make a late push, and it's not shocking they're trying to pry the recruit away from the Cornhuskers because of the growing trend in college football. 

Several star athletes commit to a school well before National Signing Day, which means there is ample time for some other team to persuade a high schooler to de-commit and choose them. 

This isn't a knock on Notre Dame because this is something that every team tries to do. It's a part of recruiting now and nobody should ever be surprised if a recruit changes his mind. 

After all, these are 17 and 18-year-olds making such big life decisions. It's important that they choose the right school not only for athletics, but also education. 

Jordan Westerkamp is a three-star wide receiver from Illinois who chose Nebraska back in early May. Scott Powers of ESPN reports that Westerkamp will have an official visit with Notre Dame this coming weekend, which has those at Nebraska worried. 

In fact, Westerkamp said that he'll be playing host to Cornhuskers head coach Bo Pelini and other members of his staff on Thursday, which happens to be shortly before he visits the Fighting Irish.

Pelini wants to make sure his recruit doesn't do anything funny.  

As for Notre Dame, Westerkamp said he has to make the best decision he can, but right now he's sticking with Nebraska. Of course, all of that could change come next week. 

"

[Notre Dame has] been really, really hard on me. [Fighting Irish recruiting coordinator Chuck Martin] told me if I commit to them right now they would take me. 

I’m still committed to Nebraska. I’m still really strong about that. I want to go out to Notre Dame and to make sure about it. I have to make the decision best for myself.

"

Both schools are excellent choices, which puts Westerkamp in a bind. 

You can't blame Notre Dame for pursuing the 6'1", 185-pound receiver though, simply because it's all a part of the game now. 

Until a player signs a national letter of intent, he is fair game.

Some teams and coaches may not like it, but that's what recruiting has turned into today, so they all have to be prepared.  

Fighting Irish fans should like their chances with this kid considering who the actual person is that convinced him to make the trip to South Bend. 

"My mom has always been a diehard Notre Dame fan,” Westerkamp said. “She definitely pulled my leg to make the visit. It’s exciting, but it’s like a business deal. I have to go to the place that is best for myself." 

Mothers always have strong leverage in these types of decisions, so the Fighting Irish could be stealing a very good route runner with quick speed away from the Cornhuskers. 

If Westerkamp does indeed change his mind, he won't be the last recruit of the class of 2012 to do so because there's plenty of time between now and National Signing Day in February. 

College football programs aren't going to stop their pursuit of athletes that have already made verbal commitments any time soon, so expect this trend to keep growing, leading to a lot of angry people.