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Kelly introduces class of 24 signed recruits

Irish coach Brian Kelly arrived at the Signing Day press conference looking relaxed after a tumultuous month that included a blowout loss to Alabama, a flirtation with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Manti Te’o controversy. Full story

Photo of the Day

Feature Stories

  • INSIDER Bryant-courtesy of someone.jpg

    Expert lauds incoming recruiting class

    Notre Dame built on its landmark 2012 season Wednesday as it received the National Letters of Intent for 24 recruits making up its 2013 recruiting class. The group includes nine members of the elite ESPN150 and is ranked as the No. 4 class in the country by ESPN, trailing only Florida, Ohio State and Alabama.

  • Butler

    Recruits adopt ‘Mob’ mentality

    Though it started off as a moniker, the “Irish Mob” became a movement that brought together arguably the best recruiting class in recent Notre Dame history.

Commentary

  • Allen: 2012 momentum carries into 2013 (Feb. 7)

    For Notre Dame fans, 2012 was a good year. The class of 2013 that came across the fax machines in the Gug offer a perfect capstone — and a sort of perfect symmetry for Irish fans hoping to build on 2012’s success.

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Malik Zaire

Malik Zaire Quarterback 6’1” • 196 Archbishop Alter High School Kettering, Ohio As one of five early enrollees this semester, Malik Zaire has taken the first step in his development as an Irish quarterback. Expectations for the left-handed quarterback likely include him following in the footsteps of Andrew Hendrix, Everett Golson and Gunner Kiel and redshirting in his first season. Full story

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Greg Bryant

Greg Bryant Running Back 5’11” • 197 American Heritage School Boca-Delray Delray Beach, Fla. Greg Bryant is one of the highest-ranked recruits in this year’s class, and fills almost all of the criteria for an elite young back. The 5-foot-11-inch, 197-pound Bryant has an ideal body for the grind of college football and makes full use of it. Full story

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Tarean Folston

Tarean Folston Running Back 5’9” • 190 Cocoa High School Cocoa, Fla. Tarean Folston is the faster of Notre Dame’s two running back recruits from the Sunshine State, and his 4.48-second speed in the 40-yard dash will be an asset in the Irish spread running game. Full story

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James Onwualu

RECEIVER 6’1” • 203 Cretin-Derham Hall High School Saint Paul, Minn. Receiver James Onwualu doesn’t break out of many tackles — generally because defenders can’t catch him in the first place. The nimble Cretin-Derham Hall product from Saint Paul, Minn. Full story

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Corey Robinson

receiver 6’5” • 200 San Antonio Christian San Antonio With his pedigree, it’s no surprise Corey Robinson has tremendous athletic ability. The son of Hall of Fame basketball player David Robinson, Corey has only been playing football for three years, but in his senior year he caught 20 touchdowns in 11 games and averaged over 20 yards per catch. Full story

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Will Fuller

receiver 6’1” • 163 Roman Catholic High School Philadelphia Will Fuller tore up the gridiron at Roman Catholic High School, located in Philadelphia. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound receiver and cornerback posted 46 receptions for 758 yards and scored 13 touchdowns in addition to the three interceptions he had on the defensive side of the ball in his senior year. Full story

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Torii Hunter Jr.

TORII HUNTER JR. Receiver 6’0” • 172 Prosper High School Prosper, Texas Torii Hunter, Jr. seems to have inherited his father’s Gold Glove-caliber hands along with his name. The wide receiver out of Prosper (Texas) High School can make just about any catch, whether he’s stuck in traffic or wide open in the end zone. Full story

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Mike Heuerman

Mike Heuerman Tight End 6’4” • 220 Barron Collier High School Naples, Fla. Brian Kelly and the Irish managed to snag tight end Mike Heuerman from the clutches of Urban Meyer and Ohio State. The four-star tight end from Barron Collier High School in Naples, Fla. Full story

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Durham Smythe

tight end 6’5” • 230 Belton High School Belton, Texas Durham Smythe is a tight end out of Belton High School in Belton, Texas. At 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, Smythe’s frame gives him an advantage over smaller defenders. Besides having the ability to reach passes defenders can’t get to, Smythe doesn’t need as much separation to get open compared to smaller tight ends and receivers. Full story

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Steve Elmer

Steve Elmer Offensive Tackle 6’6” • 305 Midland High School Midland, Mich. Steve Elmer is a dominant force on the field. In high school he played both defensive line and left tackle and made a difference on both sides of the ball. The collective force of his 6-foot-6-inch, 300-pound body is nearly impossible to overcome on the high school level and profiles well at the major collegiate level. Full story

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Colin McGovern

Colin McGovern Offensive Lineman 6’6” • 291 Lincoln-Way West High School New Lenox, Ill. One of the most sought-after prospects in the Midwest, Colin McGovern chose Notre Dame over a number of Big 10 programs, including Michigan, Ohio State and Nebraska. Full story

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Hunter Bivin

HUNTER BIVIN Offensive Lineman 6’6” • 290 Apollo High School Owensboro, Ky. Ranked as one of the top tackles in the country, Hunter Bivin committed to Notre Dame in March, selecting the Irish over Florida, Ohio State and Oklahoma, among others. With his 6-foot-6, 290-pound frame, Bivin has the ability to overpower his opponents with raw strength. Full story

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John Montelus

offensive lineman 6’5” • 314 Everett High School Everett, Mass. The 6-foot-5, 314-pound Montelus is ranked by ESPN as the best player in Massachusetts. Montelus projects as a strong offensive lineman with solid upper body strength, quick feet and long arms. Full story

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Mike McGlinchey

offensive lineman 6’8” • 285 William Penn Charter School Philadelphia McGlinchey, the cousin of NFL quarterback Matt Ryan, will provide the Irish with a unique combination of size and strength on the offensive line. With his 6-foot-8-inch frame, McGlinchey towers over defensive linemen but still has the agility and athleticism to seal off blocks and follow plays down field. Full story

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Isaac Rochell

defensive end 6’4” • 250 Eagles Landing Christian Academy McDonough, Ga. Isaac Rochell played both offensive and defensive line in high school but will join the Irish ranks as a defensive end. Rochell received offers from the likes of Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Oklahoma but committed to the Irish in June and will add considerable depth to the defensive line. Full story

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Eddie Vanderdoes

Eddie Vanderdoes Defensive Lineman 6’3” • 310 Placer High School Auburn, Calif. Rated as the No. 10 player in the country by ESPN, Eddie Vanderdoes is a physical force who profiles as the type of top defensive line talent Notre Dame has attracted in the past few years. Full story

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Jacob Matuska

defensive end 6’4” • 235 Bishop Hartley High School Columbus, Ohio Jacob Matuska played both tight end and defensive end in high school and with his big frame could be placed at either position for Notre Dame. Matuska, however, will likely line up on defense for the Irish. Full story

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Jaylon Smith

Jaylon Smith Outside Linebacker 6’3” • 212 Bishop Luers High School Fort Wayne, Ind. Rated the No. 7 overall prospect in the country by ESPN, Jaylon Smith is widely considered the top outside linebacker prospect in the nation. The extremely athletic Smith has both the speed to cover receivers and the block-shedding ability to pressure the quarterback, and he could play either the cat or dog linebacker position in Irish defensive coordinator Bob Diaco’s scheme. Full story

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Doug Randolph

Doug Randolph Linebacker 6’3” • 221 Woodberry Forest High School Woodberry Forest, Va. A four-star recruit from Virginia, outside linebacker Doug Randolph’s game centers on his strength and athleticism. He is a quick, resilient pass rusher whose agility allows him to maneuver in between offensive linemen in pursuit of the quarterback. Full story

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Michael Deeb

linebacker 6’2” • 238 American Heritage High School Plantation, Fla. Although not one of the most heralded recruits in the upcoming class, Michael Deeb may have the potential to be one of its best players down the road. Deeb lives up to his reputation as a hard-nosed, intelligent inside linebacker, often blowing up plays in the backfield with ferocious hits. Full story

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Cole Luke

Cornerback 6’0” • 165 Hamilton High School Chandler, Ariz. Of the 24 commits to the Irish squad, Cole Luke is one of three players who projects to play cornerback, providing depth to the secondary. The 6-foot, 175-pound Cole is average-sized, but he is extremely athletic and possesses strong footwork and coordination skills. Full story

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Rashad Kinlaw

CORNERBACK 6’0” • 180 Absegami High School Galloway, N.J. Rashad Kinlaw is listed as an athlete by ESPN, but he projects as a cornerback at Notre Dame. Coming off his high school career as a dual threat quarterback, Kinlaw provides Notre Dame with several options at the next level with his explosive speed and versatility. Full story

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Devin Butler

cornerback 6’1” • 179 Gonzaga College High School Washington, D.C. Devin Butler is a four-star recruit from Gonzaga High School in Washington D.C. Butler will play cornerback at Notre Dame, though he saw time as a receiver in high school. Butler is an instinctive player with great closing speed and lots of range. Full story

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Max Redfield

Max Redfield Safety 6’2” • 181 Mission Viejo High School Mission Viejo, Calif. Max Redfield, a 6-foot-2 athlete out of Mission Viejo, Calif., has promising size that profiles well at the safety position. The former USC commit pledged to join Notre Dame at the Under Armour All-American Game on Jan. Full story

Past In-Depth Coverage

  • INSIDER- Michael Floyd - Pat Coveney.jpg

    2011 Season Archive

    Irish stumble to another 8-5 season after surrendering second-half lead

    Capitalizing on a turnover and offensive inefficiencies from Notre Dame, Florida State overcame a 14-point third quarter deficit to win the Champs Sports Bowl 18-14 on Dec. 29.

  • BLUEGOLD USC td celebration-Dan Jacobs.jpg

    2010 Season Archive

    Kelly's first year marked by highs and lows

    In a tumultuous 2010 season that featured extreme highs, like a signature victory over archrival USC, and extreme lows, including two of the program's worst losses in history, the Irish underwent a transition led by first-year coach Brian Kelly few could have imagined.

  • 2010 Spring Football Coverage

    View The Observer's extensive coverage of the spring football season and the 81st annual Blue-Gold Spring Football Game in March and April 2010.

  • 2010 Women's Basketball NCAA

    View The Observer's extensive coverage of the women's basketball drive to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament in March 2010.

  • 2010 Men's Basketball NCAA

    View The Observer's extensive coverage of the men's basketball appearance in the NCAA Tournament in March 2010.

  • Brian Kelly hired as ND coach

    View The Observer's extensive coverage of the Brian Kelly hiring from December 2009.

  • Charlie Weis out as ND coach

    View The Observer's coverage of the dismissal of Charlie Weis as the football coach from December 2009.