Notre Dame Football: Alex Anzalone
National signing day 2013 is in the books. Let's take a closer look at what the Irish newcomers mean for the program moving forward.
Biggest winner of signing day: We'll just go ahead and call the program a winner here. Notre Dame made it to the national title game in 2012, landed the nation's No. 4 recruiting class and returns upward of 15 starters to a team coming off a 12-1 season. All of those questions the past 24 years of whether the Irish could still succeed in today's college football climate have been put to rest, and the program is in great position to be, at the very least, a BCS-bowl contender year-in and year-out.
Best closer: Tony Alford thrived in his first year as the Irish's recruiting coordinator, helping them land Oklahoma decommit and ESPN 150 running back Greg Bryant (Delray Beach, Fla./American Heritage) and ESPN 150 athlete Tarean Folston (Cocoa, Fla./Cocoa) late in the recruiting calendar.
Biggest surprise: Five-star defensive tackle and USC decommit Eddie Vanderdoes (Auburn, Calif./Placer) chose Notre Dame over Alabama and UCLA on Wednesday night, giving the Irish ESPN's No. 1 defensive tackle, No. 10 overall prospect and one more elite talent to a recruiting class that was already the best in the Brian Kelly era.
Who flipped/biggest loss: Four-star linebacker Alex Anzalone (Wyomissing, Pa./Wyomissing) enrolled at Florida in early January during Kelly's flirtation with the NFL. Anzalone, who decommitted from Ohio State before decommitting from Notre Dame, is an elite talent who would have had the chance to compete for immediate playing time. That being said, the fact he is the only piece the Irish lost during Kelly's silence is fairly impressive and a testament to the staff as a whole.
Kelly says NFL is not what he wants to do
January, 29, 2013
Jan 29
2:30
PM ET
By
Matt Fortuna | ESPN.com
Brian Kelly met with this team Sunday night to address what has been anything but a slow offseason since Notre Dame's Jan. 7 loss to Alabama in the Discover BCS National Championship.
What he told them, though, was apparently the same thing he told reporters Tuesday morning during a half-hour conference call: The coach is at Notre Dame to stay, and coaching in the NFL is not something he wants to do.
Kelly "I'm not going to get into the specifics of everything, but here's what I can tell you: The interview, so to speak, as people have talked about, was really a discussion that I had with Jeff Lurie of the Philadelphia Eagles and his leadership team," Kelly said. "I will tell you that the discussion was more about intrigue on my part. I had obviously always been in the college game, really did not have a good grasp of the NFL setup, and so for me, my head said, 'Let's be more informed as it relates to the NFL.'
"But my heart is in college football and with Notre Dame. So I think the recruits, I tell them up front that I'm committed to Notre Dame, flattered that the NFL would want me to be one of their coaches, but it's just, it's not what I want to do. I want to be a college football coach and really just was really happy and flushed that the Eagles would give me the opportunity to sit down and talk to them. Very much appreciate Jeff Lurie for the opportunity. But as I said, it's more intrigue than it was an interest on my part."
Kelly said the Eagles contacted Irish athletic director Jack Swarbrick about their opening shortly after firing Andy Reid, with Swarbrick and Kelly agreeing that, if there were to be any contact with the organization, it would not come until after the title game.
Philadelphia and Kelly spoke the day after the title game, and Kelly did not announce his intentions to stay at Notre Dame until four days later, by which point four-star linebacker Alex Anzalone (Wyomissing, Pa./Wyomissing) had decommitted from the Irish and enrolled early at Florida.
Kelly expressed some regret with how he handled the situation publicly.
"If there was anything I would've done differently, it would've been to close that timeline relative to my interview and coming out with a statement," he said. "I was on vacation with my wife. We were away. We weren't watching TV. But I should've been more sensitive to the fact that there was this time period that had been going on and released a statement much sooner."
As it relates to a contract extension and securing the long-term future of Notre Dame football, Kelly said he has been in touch with Swarbrick since Dec. 6, with both seeing eye-to-eye in desiring the extended consistency of a program that has upward of 17 starters returning from an undefeated regular season.
Part of the NFL dalliance, Kelly said, was so that he can avoid similar situations in future years.
Future winning years.
"I just didn't know anything about it, really," Kelly said. "Again, as I said, college is all that I've been involved in. I really didn't understand the NFL process, the game, who was involved in the day-to-day operations of selecting the team, all those things. And quite frankly I wanted to answer those so I wouldn't have to go through this, because we're going to win again next year. There's probably going to be teams that are going to have an interest in coaching in the NFL, and I want to be able to tell them definitively that I want to coach in college.
"And the interview was more about, I wanted that information. So it was easy for me to make a decision on being here in the college game. I love Notre Dame. I love the college game. But I think the intrigue was more of just finding out about it, so it's now easy for me to say no."
What he told them, though, was apparently the same thing he told reporters Tuesday morning during a half-hour conference call: The coach is at Notre Dame to stay, and coaching in the NFL is not something he wants to do.
"But my heart is in college football and with Notre Dame. So I think the recruits, I tell them up front that I'm committed to Notre Dame, flattered that the NFL would want me to be one of their coaches, but it's just, it's not what I want to do. I want to be a college football coach and really just was really happy and flushed that the Eagles would give me the opportunity to sit down and talk to them. Very much appreciate Jeff Lurie for the opportunity. But as I said, it's more intrigue than it was an interest on my part."
Kelly said the Eagles contacted Irish athletic director Jack Swarbrick about their opening shortly after firing Andy Reid, with Swarbrick and Kelly agreeing that, if there were to be any contact with the organization, it would not come until after the title game.
Philadelphia and Kelly spoke the day after the title game, and Kelly did not announce his intentions to stay at Notre Dame until four days later, by which point four-star linebacker Alex Anzalone (Wyomissing, Pa./Wyomissing) had decommitted from the Irish and enrolled early at Florida.
Kelly expressed some regret with how he handled the situation publicly.
"If there was anything I would've done differently, it would've been to close that timeline relative to my interview and coming out with a statement," he said. "I was on vacation with my wife. We were away. We weren't watching TV. But I should've been more sensitive to the fact that there was this time period that had been going on and released a statement much sooner."
As it relates to a contract extension and securing the long-term future of Notre Dame football, Kelly said he has been in touch with Swarbrick since Dec. 6, with both seeing eye-to-eye in desiring the extended consistency of a program that has upward of 17 starters returning from an undefeated regular season.
Part of the NFL dalliance, Kelly said, was so that he can avoid similar situations in future years.
Future winning years.
"I just didn't know anything about it, really," Kelly said. "Again, as I said, college is all that I've been involved in. I really didn't understand the NFL process, the game, who was involved in the day-to-day operations of selecting the team, all those things. And quite frankly I wanted to answer those so I wouldn't have to go through this, because we're going to win again next year. There's probably going to be teams that are going to have an interest in coaching in the NFL, and I want to be able to tell them definitively that I want to coach in college.
"And the interview was more about, I wanted that information. So it was easy for me to make a decision on being here in the college game. I love Notre Dame. I love the college game. But I think the intrigue was more of just finding out about it, so it's now easy for me to say no."
Spring semester classes began Tuesday at Notre Dame, which also means that a handful of new faces are now regulars inside the Guglielmino Athletics Complex.
As football media relations director Brian Hardin officially announced on Twitter, and as coach Brian Kelly added, the new names to know are Steve Elmer, Mike Heuerman, James Onwualu, Corey Robinson and Malik Zaire.
For some more info from ESPN RecruitingNation on these newcomers, click the links below.
Both Zaire and Heuerman are ESPN300 prospects. The big absence, of course, is that of four-star linebacker Alex Anzalone (Wyomissing, Pa./Wyomissing), who spurned Notre Dame for Florida last week amid Kelly's flirtation with the Philadelphia Eagles. Nonetheless, 17 more commitments are expected to sign their national letters of intent come Feb. 6, with the Irish set to usher in a top-5 recruiting class as they look to continue the momentum generated from a return to the national title game.
As football media relations director Brian Hardin officially announced on Twitter, and as coach Brian Kelly added, the new names to know are Steve Elmer, Mike Heuerman, James Onwualu, Corey Robinson and Malik Zaire.
For some more info from ESPN RecruitingNation on these newcomers, click the links below.
- Four-star QB-DT Malik Zaire (Kettering, Ohio/Archbishop Alter)
- Four-star TE-Y Mike Heuerman (Naples, Fla./Barron Collier)
- Four-star ATH James Onwualu (St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham)
- Four-star OT Steve Elmer (Midland, Mich./Midland)
- Three-star WR Corey Robinson (San Antonio/San Antonio Christian)
Both Zaire and Heuerman are ESPN300 prospects. The big absence, of course, is that of four-star linebacker Alex Anzalone (Wyomissing, Pa./Wyomissing), who spurned Notre Dame for Florida last week amid Kelly's flirtation with the Philadelphia Eagles. Nonetheless, 17 more commitments are expected to sign their national letters of intent come Feb. 6, with the Irish set to usher in a top-5 recruiting class as they look to continue the momentum generated from a return to the national title game.
Anzalone switches from Irish to Gators
January, 10, 2013
Jan 10
5:48
PM ET
By ESPN.com staff | ESPN.com
Thursday afternoon the Florida Gators jumped to the No. 1 recruiting class in the country. Just a few hours later the Gators received a commitment from ESPN 150 athlete Alex Anzalone (Wyomissing, Pa./Wyomissing).
The 6-foot-3, 231-pound four-star prospect, who confirmed his decision with ESPN.com via text message, switched his pledge from Notre Dame and is schedule to enroll at Florida on Friday.
For Derek Tyson's full story, click here
.
The 6-foot-3, 231-pound four-star prospect, who confirmed his decision with ESPN.com via text message, switched his pledge from Notre Dame and is schedule to enroll at Florida on Friday.
For Derek Tyson's full story, click here
.
Notre Dame has gotten quite the lift off the field following a 12-0 regular season on it.
Look no further than this past weekend, when four-star running back Greg Bryant pledged to the Irish, one day after the school beat out Ohio State for Class of 2014 Watch List offensive lineman Jimmy Byrne.
Bryant, Notre Dame's 22nd 2013 commit, immediately becomes the Irish's second-highest rated prospect, beyond Jaylon Smith. And he will likely have the chance to step in immediately, with the Irish losing Theo Riddick and possibly Cierre Wood after this season.
With Bryant, George Atkinson III, Cam McDaniel, the yet-to-be-seen Amir Carlisle and freshman William Mahone, the Irish should have no shortage of backs to turn to next season, and the different styles each brings will create an interesting dynamic.
The addition of Bryant moved Notre Dame up one spot, to No. 3, in ESPN's class of 2013 recruiting rankings, behind USC and Florida. You can read scouts' take on Bryant here.
Below, we break down the Irish's 2013 and 2014 recruiting classes. The 2013 class features eight ESPN150 prospects (*), four ESPN300 prospects (**), 17 four-star commits and one five-star. The Class of 2014 consists of four players, three of whom are ESPN Watch List members.
Class of 2013
Look no further than this past weekend, when four-star running back Greg Bryant pledged to the Irish, one day after the school beat out Ohio State for Class of 2014 Watch List offensive lineman Jimmy Byrne.
Bryant, Notre Dame's 22nd 2013 commit, immediately becomes the Irish's second-highest rated prospect, beyond Jaylon Smith. And he will likely have the chance to step in immediately, with the Irish losing Theo Riddick and possibly Cierre Wood after this season.
With Bryant, George Atkinson III, Cam McDaniel, the yet-to-be-seen Amir Carlisle and freshman William Mahone, the Irish should have no shortage of backs to turn to next season, and the different styles each brings will create an interesting dynamic.
The addition of Bryant moved Notre Dame up one spot, to No. 3, in ESPN's class of 2013 recruiting rankings, behind USC and Florida.
You can read scouts' take on Bryant here.
Below, we break down the Irish's 2013 and 2014 recruiting classes. The 2013 class features eight ESPN150 prospects (*), four ESPN300 prospects (**), 17 four-star commits and one five-star. The Class of 2014 consists of four players, three of whom are ESPN Watch List members.
Class of 2013
- Five-star OLB Jaylon Smith (Fort Wayne, Ind./Bishop Luers)*
- Four-star RB Greg Bryant (Delray Beach, Fla./American Heritage-Boca-Delray)*
- Four-star WR Torii Hunter Jr. (Prosper, Texas/Prosper)*
- Four-star OLB Alex Anzalone (Wyomissing, Pa./Wyomissing)*
- Four-star OT Colin McGovern (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way West)*
- Four-star OT Hunter Bivin (Owensboro, Ky./Apollo)*
- Four-star DE Isaac Rochell (McDonough, Ga./Eagles Landing Christian Academy)*
- Four-star OLB Doug Randolph (Woodberry Forest, Va./Woodberry Forest)*
- Four-star QB-DT Malik Zaire (Kettering, Ohio/Archbishop Alter)**
- Four-star CB Devin Butler (Washington/Gonzaga)**
- Four-star RB Jamel James (Katy, Texas/Cinco Ranch)**
- Four-star TE-Y Mike Heuerman (Naples, Fla./Barron Collier)**
- Four-star ATH Rashad Kinlaw (Galloway, N.J./Absegami)
- Four-star ATH James Onwualu (St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham)
- Four-star OT Mike McGlinchey (Philadelphia/William Penn)
- Four-star ILB Michael Deeb (Plantation, Fla./American Heritage)
- Four-star OT Steve Elmer (Midland, Mich./Midland)
- Four-star CB Cole Luke (Chandler, Ariz./Hamilton)
- Three-star OT John Montelus (Everett, Mass./Everett)
- Three-star WR Corey Robinson (San Antonio/San Antonio Christian)
- Three-star TE-Y Jacob Matuska (Columbus, Ohio/Bishop Hartley)
- Three-star WR William Fuller (Philadelphia/Roman Catholic)
- Watch List OLB Greer Martini (Woodberry Forest, Va./Woodberry Forest)
- Watch List OT Jimmy Byrne (Cleveland/Saint Ignatius)
- Watch List WR Justin Brent (Speedway, Ind./Speedway)
- OT Jay Hayes (Brooklyn, N.Y./Poly Prep)
Busy week.
- Beacuse of Jay Hayes .
- And Cole Luke.
- And Alex Anzalone .
- And Max Redfield.
- Check out the latest ESPN150 and 300 rankings here.
- ESPN Watch List receiver and Irish commit Justin Brent (Speedway, Ind./Speedway) was amazed by his first Notre Dame game , our Jared Shanker writes.
- ESPN Watch List receiver Thaddeus Snodgrass (Springfield, Ohio/Springfield) is still looking for a commitment time , Shanker writes.
- ESPN150 receiver Laquon Treadwell (Crete, Ill./Crete-Monee) talks with our Chantel Jennings about his possible destinations .
- Class of 2014 Watch List QB Drew Barker (Hebron, Ky./Conner), who plans to visit Notre Dame next week, is hoping to make a decision in the winter or spring , our Dave Hooker writes.
Alex Anzalone sticking with Notre Dame 
November, 5, 2012
11/05/12
9:43
PM ET
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
Technically nothing changed, but Notre Dame coaches are thrilled with the decision Wyomissing (Pa.) area senior Alex Anzalone made Monday.
The ESPN 150 outside linebacker reaffirmed his commitment to the Irish after leaving South Bend following an unofficial visit that took place Sunday into Monday.
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Turns out Manti Te'o has to play by the same rules as everyone else for defensive awards, too.
The Notre Dame senior and arguably the best defensive player in college football was named one of 12 semifinalists Monday for the collegiate Butkus Award, given to the nation's top linebacker. The Irish have quite the crowd on the list, as three of their 2013 commits take up one-fourth of the high school semifinalist list.
Alex Anzalone (Wyomissing, Pa./Wyomissing), Michael Deeb (Plantation, Fla./American Heritage) and Jaylon Smith (Fort Wayne, Ind./Bishop Luers) are all Butkus semifinalists. For good measure, so is one prospect out of Te'o's high school, Stanford commit Isaac Savaiinaea (Honolulu/Punahou).
Te'o was also named the FBS Independent defensive player of the week for the fourth time this season and seventh time overall after notching a game-high 10 tackles, a half-tackle for loss and his fourth pick of the season, tied for the most among linebackers.
Theo Riddick took home the offensive FBS player of the week honor after a career-best 143-yard rushing performance.
The Notre Dame senior and arguably the best defensive player in college football was named one of 12 semifinalists Monday for the collegiate Butkus Award, given to the nation's top linebacker. The Irish have quite the crowd on the list, as three of their 2013 commits take up one-fourth of the high school semifinalist list.
Alex Anzalone (Wyomissing, Pa./Wyomissing), Michael Deeb (Plantation, Fla./American Heritage) and Jaylon Smith (Fort Wayne, Ind./Bishop Luers) are all Butkus semifinalists. For good measure, so is one prospect out of Te'o's high school, Stanford commit Isaac Savaiinaea (Honolulu/Punahou).
Te'o was also named the FBS Independent defensive player of the week for the fourth time this season and seventh time overall after notching a game-high 10 tackles, a half-tackle for loss and his fourth pick of the season, tied for the most among linebackers.
Theo Riddick took home the offensive FBS player of the week honor after a career-best 143-yard rushing performance.
Big weekend, eh?
- Our Jared Shanker recaps this past weekend for the Irish.
- Class of 2014 OT Alex Bars (Nashville, Tenn./Montgomery Bell) talks to our Dave Hooker about the awkward feeling from Saturday's Notre Dame visit.
- Defensive end Austin Hooper (Concord, Calif./De La Salle), who took an unofficial to Notre Dame in July, wants to visit again soon while taking time with his decision, our Mason Kelley writes.
- Class of 2014 offensive tackle Jimmy Byrne (Cleveland, Ohio/St. Ignatius) visited Notre Dame and is nearing a decision, Shanker writes.
- Notre Dame commit and three-star receiver Corey Robinson (San Antonio/San Antonio Christian) talks to our Damon Sayles about the Irish's latest addition: ESPN 150 receiver Torii Hunter Jr. (Prosper, Texas/Prosper). Our Tom Luginbill says Hunter is ready to make an early impact.
- ESPN 150 running back Corey Clement (Glassboro, N.J./Glassboro) is committed to Pitt, but he took an official Saturday to South Bend, Shanker writes.
- The Irish lead for 2014 athlete Tommy Mister (Oak Lawn, Ill./H.L. Richards), Shanker writes ... even if an usher knocked over the prospect's nachos.
- Cornerback L.J. Moore (Fresno, Calif./Central) enjoyed his Irish visit, our Erik McKinney writes.
- Junior linebacker Clifton Garrett (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield South) enjoyed Saturday's trip to Notre Dame, his first college visit, Shanker writes.
- ESPN 150 linebacker, former Ohio State commit and current Irish commit Alex Anzalone (Wyomissing, Pa., Wyomissing) heard from Urban Meyer last week, Shanker writes.
Dividends already paying off with big night
September, 23, 2012
9/23/12
3:35
PM ET
By
Matt Fortuna | ESPN.com
The already-crowded Notre Dame famous parents section will have to make room for one more.
ESPN 150 receiver Torii Hunter Jr. (Prosper, Texas/Prosper) committed to the Irish following their primetime home win over Michigan, our Damon Sayles writes, making him the school's 21st commitment for the Class of 2013.
Hunter Jr. is the son of the MLB All-Star of the same name, and he joins the nephew of Dodgers manager Don Mattingly (Danny) and the son of pro basketball Hall of Famer David Robinson (Corey) as Irish 2013 commitments looking to make their own names.
Hunter Jr. raved about Saturday's atmosphere to Sayles, an obvious strong sign for a program that has been looking to make its game day scene a little bit more electric. Coach Brian Kelly has said that will come with winning. And, as he found out by landing Sayles, Notre Dame can benefit beyond the scoreboard because of it, too.
Hunter Jr. is ESPN's 50th overall prospect, the No. 6 player in Texas and the No. 8 receiver in the nation.
Here is a breakdown of the Irish's 21-man 2013 recruiting class, which features 17 four-star prospects, six ESPN150 commits (*) and 12 ESPN300 commits (**)
ESPN 150 receiver Torii Hunter Jr. (Prosper, Texas/Prosper) committed to the Irish following their primetime home win over Michigan, our Damon Sayles writes, making him the school's 21st commitment for the Class of 2013.
Hunter Jr. is the son of the MLB All-Star of the same name, and he joins the nephew of Dodgers manager Don Mattingly (Danny) and the son of pro basketball Hall of Famer David Robinson (Corey) as Irish 2013 commitments looking to make their own names.
Hunter Jr. raved about Saturday's atmosphere to Sayles, an obvious strong sign for a program that has been looking to make its game day scene a little bit more electric. Coach Brian Kelly has said that will come with winning. And, as he found out by landing Sayles, Notre Dame can benefit beyond the scoreboard because of it, too.
Hunter Jr. is ESPN's 50th overall prospect, the No. 6 player in Texas and the No. 8 receiver in the nation.
Here is a breakdown of the Irish's 21-man 2013 recruiting class, which features 17 four-star prospects, six ESPN150 commits (*) and 12 ESPN300 commits (**)
- Four-star OLB Jaylon Smith (Fort Wayne, Ind./Bishop Luers)*
- Four-star WR Torii Hunter Jr. (Prosper, Texas/Prosper)*
- Four-star OLB Alex Anzalone (Wyomissing, Pa./Wyomissing)*
- Four-star OT Colin McGovern (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way West)*
- Four-star OT Hunter Bivin (Owensboro, Ky./Apollo)*
- Four-star DE Isaac Rochell (McDonough, Ga./Eagles Landing Christian Academy)*
- Four-star OLB Doug Randolph (Woodberry Forest, Va./Woodberry Forest)**
- Four-star QB-DT Malik Zaire (Kettering, Ohio/Archbishop Alter)**
- Four-star CB Devin Butler (Washington/Gonzaga)**
- Four-star RB Jamel James (Katy, Texas/Cinco Ranch)**
- Four-star TE-Y Mike Heuerman (Naples, Fla./Barron Collier)**
- Four-star OT John Montelus (Everett, Mass./Everett)**
- Four-star ATH Rashad Kinlaw (Galloway, N.J./Absegami)
- Four-star ATH James Onwualu (St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham)
- Four-star OT Mike McGlinchey (Philadelphia/William Penn)
- Four-star ILB Michael Deeb (Plantation, Fla./American Heritage)
- Four-star OT Steve Elmer (Midland, Mich./Midland)
- Three-star ATH Danny Mattingly (Spokane, Wash./Mead)
- Three-star WR Corey Robinson (San Antonio/San Antonio Christian)
- Three-star TE-Y Jacob Matuska (Columbus, Ohio/Bishop Hartley)
- Three-star WR William Fuller (Philadelphia/Roman Catholic)
Fuller drops PSU, becomes No. 19 for ND
August, 5, 2012
8/05/12
3:30
PM ET
By
Matt Fortuna | ESPN.com
For a few minutes, anyway, Will Fuller (Philadelphia/Roman Catholic) was just another one of us.
The three-star wide receiver and former Penn State commitment was among the gathered media members Saturday outside the LaBar Practice Complex, awaiting the start of Notre Dame's fall camp like everyone else.
Fuller got to stay when the rest of us were kicked out, and he clearly liked what he saw on the field and off, as he eventually became the Irish's 19th Class of 2013 commitment.
The 6-foot-1, 163-pound prospect caught 46 balls for 758 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, and he tested well this spring on the Nike Combine circuit, posting an electronically-timed 4.53 40-yard dash, 4.25 20-yard shuttle, 33.9-inch vertical and 88.47 SPARQ.
Fuller is ranked by ESPN as the No. 132 receiver in the Class of 2013, and as the No. 26 player in the state of Pennsylvania.
Here's a look at the Irish's 19-man 2013 recruiting class, which features 15 four-star prospects, four three-star prospects, five ESPN150 commits (*) and 10 ESPN300 commits (**)
The three-star wide receiver and former Penn State commitment was among the gathered media members Saturday outside the LaBar Practice Complex, awaiting the start of Notre Dame's fall camp like everyone else.
Fuller got to stay when the rest of us were kicked out, and he clearly liked what he saw on the field and off, as he eventually became the Irish's 19th Class of 2013 commitment.
The 6-foot-1, 163-pound prospect caught 46 balls for 758 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, and he tested well this spring on the Nike Combine circuit, posting an electronically-timed 4.53 40-yard dash, 4.25 20-yard shuttle, 33.9-inch vertical and 88.47 SPARQ
.
Fuller is ranked by ESPN as the No. 132 receiver in the Class of 2013, and as the No. 26 player in the state of Pennsylvania.
Here's a look at the Irish's 19-man 2013 recruiting class, which features 15 four-star prospects, four three-star prospects, five ESPN150 commits (*) and 10 ESPN300 commits (**)
- Four-star OLB Jaylon Smith (Fort Wayne, Ind./Bishop Luers)*
- Four-star OLB Alex Anzalone (Wyomissing, Pa./Wyomissing)*
- Four-star OT Colin McGovern (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way West)*
- Four-star OT Hunter Bivin (Owensboro, Ky./Apollo)*
- Four-star DE Isaac Rochell (McDonough, Ga./Eagles Landing Christian Academy)*
- Four-star QB-DT Malik Zaire (Kettering, Ohio/Archbishop Alter)**
- Four-star CB Devin Butler (Washington/Gonzaga)**
- Four-star RB Jamel James (Katy, Texas/Cinco Ranch)**
- Four-star TE-Y Mike Heuerman (Naples, Fla./Barron Collier)**
- Four-star OT John Montelus (Everett, Mass./Everett)**
- Four-star ATH Rashad Kinlaw (Galloway, N.J./Absegami)
- Four-star ATH James Onwualu (St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham)
- Four-star OT Mike McGlinchey (Philadelphia/William Penn)
- Four-star ILB Michael Deeb (Plantation, Fla./American Heritage)
- Four-star OT Steve Elmer (Midland, Mich./Midland)
- Three-star ATH Danny Mattingly (Spokane, Wash./Mead)
- Three-star WR Corey Robinson (San Antonio/San Antonio Christian)
- Three-star TE-Y Jacob Matuska (Columbus, Ohio/Bishop Hartley)
- Three-star WR Will Fuller (Philadelphia/Roman Catholic)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Four-star linebacker Alex Anzalone (Wyomissing, Pa./Wyomissing) remains firm in his commitment to Notre Dame despite his trip to Gainesville for Florida's Friday Night Lights camp.
The 6-foot-3, 231-pound athlete said he enjoyed his time in Gainesville, but having visited Florida several times, there really wasn't anything new for him to learn about the program.
"I've seen Florida enough," Anzalone said. "It's not like it's my second visit there or something like that. I know it. The coaches even say I could probably give a better tour than them around campus. I had a fun time competing with the Florida kids though.
The 6-foot-3, 231-pound athlete said he enjoyed his time in Gainesville, but having visited Florida several times, there really wasn't anything new for him to learn about the program.
"I've seen Florida enough," Anzalone said. "It's not like it's my second visit there or something like that. I know it. The coaches even say I could probably give a better tour than them around campus. I had a fun time competing with the Florida kids though.
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Alex Anzalone will be going to Notre Dame. He will be going to Notre Dame early. And, if he gets his wish, he will be wearing jersey No. 5, too.
All of which led the current defensive owner of that digit to post Sunday night on Twitter: "I think I might have started something special at ND."
Replacing the production of Manti Te'o, a potential first-round NFL draft pick, is a tall task for anyone. But the future of the Irish's linebacking unit is in good hands. Anzalone's commitment Sunday at The Opening — two months after his decommitment from Ohio State after a sex offender, a Buckeyes fan, posted a picture of himself and Anzalone on the Web — rounds out a loaded corps in the middle for the 2013 class, as Jaylon Smith, Michael Deeb and Danny Mattingly have already pledged to Notre Dame since the beginning of June.
ESPN rates Anzalone as a four-star prospect, the No. 5 player at his position in the nation and the 66th-best player overall from the 2013 class, one that is shaping up this offseason to be very special for Brian Kelly and the Irish staff.
Here is a breakdown of the Irish's 17-man 2013 recruiting class, which is composed of 14 four-star prospects, five ESPN150 commits (*) and 10 ESPN300 commits (**)
All of which led the current defensive owner of that digit to post Sunday night on Twitter: "I think I might have started something special at ND."
Replacing the production of Manti Te'o, a potential first-round NFL draft pick, is a tall task for anyone. But the future of the Irish's linebacking unit is in good hands. Anzalone's commitment Sunday at The Opening — two months after his decommitment from Ohio State after a sex offender, a Buckeyes fan, posted a picture of himself and Anzalone on the Web — rounds out a loaded corps in the middle for the 2013 class, as Jaylon Smith, Michael Deeb and Danny Mattingly have already pledged to Notre Dame since the beginning of June.
ESPN rates Anzalone as a four-star prospect, the No. 5 player at his position in the nation and the 66th-best player overall from the 2013 class, one that is shaping up this offseason to be very special for Brian Kelly and the Irish staff.
Here is a breakdown of the Irish's 17-man 2013 recruiting class, which is composed of 14 four-star prospects, five ESPN150 commits (*) and 10 ESPN300 commits (**)
- Four-star OLB Jaylon Smith (Fort Wayne, Ind./Bishop Luers)*
- Four-star OLB Alex Anzalone (Wyomissing, Pa./Wyomissing)*
- Four-star OT Colin McGovern (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way West)*
- Four-star OT Hunter Bivin (Owensboro, Ky./Apollo)*
- Four-star DE Isaac Rochell (McDonough, Ga./Eagles Landing Christian Academy)*
- Four-star QB-DT Malik Zaire (Kettering, Ohio/Archbishop Alter)**
- Four-star CB Devin Butler (Washington/Gonzaga)**
- Four-star TE-Y Mike Heuerman (Naples, Fla./Barron Collier)**
- Four-star OT John Montelus (Everett, Mass./Everett)**
- Four-star ATH Rashad Kinlaw (Galloway, N.J./Absegami)**
- Four-star ATH James Onwualu (St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham)
- Four-star OT Mike McGlinchey (Philadelphia/William Penn)
- Four-star ILB Michael Deeb (Plantation, Fla./American Heritage)
- Four-star OT Steve Elmer (Midland, Mich./Midland)
- Three-star WR Corey Robinson (San Antonio/San Antonio Christian)
- Three-star TE-Y Jacob Matuska (Columbus, Ohio/Bishop Hartley)
- Three-star ATH Danny Mattingly (Spokane, Wash./Mead)
Damon Sayles of ESPN RecruitingNation reports that outside linebacker Alex Anzalone committed to the Irish on Sunday.
Anzalone (Wyomissing, Pa./Wyomissing), a ESPN 150 linebacker, made the announcement at The Opening in Oregon. The No. 5 linebacker in the country had offers from numerous schools, but had narrowed his choices down to Penn State, Florida and Notre Dame.
Click the following link for the full Insider story on Anzalone's commitment.
Anzalone (Wyomissing, Pa./Wyomissing), a ESPN 150 linebacker, made the announcement at The Opening in Oregon. The No. 5 linebacker in the country had offers from numerous schools, but had narrowed his choices down to Penn State, Florida and Notre Dame.
Click the following link for the full Insider story on Anzalone's commitment.
With six commitments among the 152-player contingent, Notre Dame has a strong presence at this weekend's The Opening camp in Beaverton, Ore.
Jaylon Smith, Colin McGovern, Devin Butler, James Onwualu, Steve Elmer and Corey Robinson are there representing the Irish, whose six commitments at the camp trail just USC (8), Florida (7), Georgia (7) and Michigan (7). Can they close the gap this weekend?
ESPN 150 outside linebacker Alex Anzalone (Wyomissing, Pa./Wyomissing) is expected to announce his college destination Saturday or Sunday, with Notre Dame, Florida and Penn State believed to be the finalists.
Anzalone was one of several top prospects who stopped by ESPN.com Thursday to chat. A transcript can be found here.
As for everything else you need to know about this weekend, thanks to our team at RecruitingNation ...
Jaylon Smith, Colin McGovern, Devin Butler, James Onwualu, Steve Elmer and Corey Robinson are there representing the Irish, whose six commitments at the camp trail just USC (8), Florida (7), Georgia (7) and Michigan (7). Can they close the gap this weekend?
ESPN 150 outside linebacker Alex Anzalone (Wyomissing, Pa./Wyomissing) is expected to announce his college destination Saturday or Sunday, with Notre Dame, Florida and Penn State believed to be the finalists.
Anzalone was one of several top prospects who stopped by ESPN.com Thursday to chat. A transcript can be found here.
As for everything else you need to know about this weekend, thanks to our team at RecruitingNation ...
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Matt Fortuna
Fortuna joined ESPN.com in 2011 after working for MLB.com and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, where he covered college sports. He grew up in New York and is a Penn State graduate.
