Notre Dame's ground-and-pound 17-14 victory over BYU last Saturday served as the backdrop to an eventful recruiting weekend for the Irish recruiting staff. The Irish hosted several current and future commits and uncommitted recruits, with the highlight being 2013 running back prospect TareanFolston. Folston, a speedy back from Cocoa, Fla., is the No. 79 player in the country according to ESPN. The Irish already have a commitment at running back in the 2013 class from power back Jamel James, but Notre Dame recruiting expert Mike Frank said Folston and the Irish are a good fit.
"I think [Folston] really loved his visit. He thinks he fits in really well with Notre Dame: the players, the culture and the environment," said Frank, who runs the ESPN-affiliated Irish Sports Daily. "That aspect is a really big thing for him, and he was really impressed from that perspective. He's going to take a long time; he's not going to rush into any decision. It'll be awhile; I fully expect it to be maybe even January before he makes a decision.
"I think Notre Dame did a good job with him, so it's just time to wait and see what happens. They've made it known he's a guy they really, really want and will wait for. At the end of the day, they have a good shot."
2013 Notre Dame linebacker commitment Alex Anzalone made waves over BYU weekend when he cancelled a scheduled recruiting visit to Notre Dame. Anzalone has been rumored for weeks to be wavering in his commitment to the Irish after a positive visit to Florida. Frank said he is worried about the possibility of an Anzalonedecommitment.
"[Anzalone] was playing a late game Friday, and it was out of town, so they cancelled because they couldn't have stayed on Sunday either," Frank said. "So, where that stands, the staff doesn't really know. Notre Dame has done its best to put its best foot forward, but for whatever reason, [Anzalone] seems to have some doubts about the school. I'd say I'm more negative than positive about the situation, and it wouldn't surprise me if he de-commits."
Frank also said the Notre Dame recruiting staff has work to do to strengthen the commitment of another member of its 2013 linebacker class. Danny Mattingly from Spokane, Wash., committed to Notre Dame on June 26 but is still taking visits to other campuses. Frank said there might be a disagreement about Mattingly's position.
"[Mattingly] is definitely a risk. I think the problem Notre Dame has run into with Danny Mattingly is that he wants to play offense, and Notre Dame recruited him as a defensive player," Frank said. "Notre Dame has probably told him he is going to end up on defense. The problem is some other schools are saying they will take him as an offensive player because they like him on offense."
With two home games remaining in the season, Frank said the Irish staff must remain focused on securing the commitment of another defensive back.
"The priority at this point has to be cornerback. They need a cornerback. That has to be where they are focused right now, with guys like L.J. Moore and Chris Hawkins and Priest Willis still out there," he said. "One of those guys would have to be the top priority at this point."
For more on Notre Dame recruiting, check out Mike Frank's irishsportsdaily.com Email Mike at mikefrank18@sbcglobal.net and tell him The Observer sent you.
Contact Chris Allen at callen10@nd.edu
