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Hype: Excessive publicity and the ensuing commotion.   Did I rip this straight off of the first credible definition found from a Google search? Yeah, I did. Based on everything else that is been said leading up to the eighty-second meeting of Notre Dame and USC, that seems to be the gold standard of thoughtfulness and insight behind this game.   It is all too easy to say things on the internet, in front of a camera, or to a microphone that are half thought out and dripping with u

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg141/donjuan190/braxtonmiller.jpg ♣ It's a long shot but 5-star QB Braxton Miller would definitely be the kind of exciting QB that Notre Dame fans would be enamored with. Along with his 6'5", 200 pound frame comes an explosive running package that would most certainly be utilized by Brian Kelly and his spread offense. His accuracy is decent sporting a 53% completion percentage so far but would see an improvement with coach Kelly's de

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg141/donjuan190/bekoyack.jpg ♣ Pennsylvanian 5-star TE, Ben Koyack, has the size and hands to be the next great TE at Notre Dame. Standing at 6'5" and weighing 230 pounds, adding weight will not be the factor it is with most incoming freshmen. He's already been offered by the big Midwestern three and looks to probably add more offers by the end of summer camp season. Last season he had over 800 yards on 48 catches while tabulating 8 touchdowns.

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg141/donjuan190/coreycooper.jpg ♣ Notre Dame is looking for RKG's and not ROUS's. Corey Cooper (a RKG) could really help out our defensive backfield and the wide receiver position. Standing at 6'2" and weighing 210 pounds all while running a 4.45 forty, makes Corey immediately ready to face the six fingered man. He's already given his verbal pledge to Illinois, but that hasn't stopped his interest in a Brian Kelly led Fightin' Irish squad.

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg141/donjuan190/BRUCEGASTON11_10150.jpg ♣ "Irish eyes are smiling" is a phrase often thrown around more than a dog in the back of an old pickup truck. People love to reference it whenever there's a change with Notre Dame football. Almost unsubstantiated but assumed; and we all know what happens when you assume. We've assumed for the last decade and we all have the smell to prove it. The stench of losing can often prove difficult to lure in a t

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg141/donjuan190/jeremy.jpg ♣ Notre Dame needs to keep this pipeline open, plain and simple. Hard work, aggressive play, speed and determination seem to be a characteristic of the Punahoe school in Hawaii, and Jeremy Ioane is further evidence of such. With 4.5 speed and a physically strong frame, Jeremy could fill both roles of safety and or defensive back. Standing at 5’10” and weighing 180 pounds, Ioane is a pocket missile wa

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg141/donjuan190/dannyspond.jpg   ♣ Danny Spond finally got his offer from Notre Dame . The athletic quarterback/athlete can play a number of positions and is a seemingly intriguing prospect for the college level.   He plays quarterback on a run-oriented team, but shows great wheels for being 6’2”, 230. He piggybacked that position by playing linebacker as well.   With his size and speed, this is where many recruiting sites see him projecting

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg141/donjuan190/scotty-young.jpg Passing for 4,500 yards and 65 touchdowns will definitely get you noticed, and with Notre Dame's QB depth being possibly filled with a current WR, connecting with Texas's former Gatorade Player of the Year ('08), Scotty Young; will prove to be a wise decision. Going back to the well to gather more capable bodies will be a priority for Brian Kelly and staff if they want to be able to compete at a high level, and

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg141/donjuan190/kyleprater.jpg When Kyle Prater learned of Pete Carroll's new job, it hit particularly close to his heart. In fact, he was speechless. It took a couple of interview attempts to actually get something to write down. But what was made perfectly clear is that Kyle won't be enrolling early at USC. Upon speaking with his family and re-evaluating his priorities, Kyle Prater will then make another important decision--his college choice.

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg141/donjuan190/anthony.jpg When Charlie Weis recruited Anthony Barr, the message was clear. "You're best suited as a LB in the pros so that's where I'll put ya" was the mutual understanding. Being 6'4" and weighing 230 doesn't normally translate over to the RB position; normally. But when Brian Kelly talked with Anthony, the message was different. "We need playmakers on the field, and if that means you'll be playing on offense; so be it." I think

Every now and then, I read or watch something that triggers a flashbulb-type thought that I have to write something about. Watching the epitome of selfishness on this video got me thinking. How important is practice? Can practice be too business-like?   After watching Notre Dame play uninspired ball for yet another year, and having seen the changes made in practice philosophy--i.e. the Irish Eyes drill; I wonder to myself if tempo and over-thinking a complicated scheme would lead to slower l

Congratulations to Justin Utupo for winning Lineman of the Year by the LA Times! The 6'2", 235 pound DE from Lakewood, California proved all year what a strong work habit and a perpetual motor will do for you. According to his coach, Thadd MacNeal, "Justin was the heart and soul of our defense and he made all the little plays he was supposed to make and then he made the Notre Dame-type plays." We, that is all of us who sit at home and judge recruits off of an oft'-flawed star-rating system, tend

Who will step up to the plate with this playmaker heading off into the sunset? The list is long and the talent is wide. From Floyd to Goody, to Parris to Shaq, maybe even a Walker in there too; the cupboard is not empty and Kelly will have a nice array of alternatives to choose from. Besides Floyd, I suspect we'll be seeing a lot of the Hoosier Shaqtus. His measurements are small but he has the raw athleticism to cause major headaches for other teams. Golden's hands are gone and his shoes will b

Domer Domain welcomes Giovanni Bernard as Notre Dame's 17th commitment! Standing at 5'9" and weighing in at 195 pounds, Gio has a low center of gravity and is known for his excellent balance. His vision is solid allowing for his offensive line to set the table for him, leading to more from less. Alabama, Florida, Florida St., Miami, Nebraska, Oregon St, and Tennessee have also offered Bernard so it's nice to be able to win with such a heavy-hitting cast making their pitch to him. Giovanni Bernar

Cameron Roberson saw enough on Saturday to make it official that he would join the up-and-rising Irish next year. At 6'1" 215 pounds, Cameron brings some good size for our FB position which is currently in dire need. He ran for around 1,500 yards on 226 caries as a junior and looks to surpass that this season. With offers from Arizona, UDub, Northwestern, BYU amd assumingly UCLA; this Newbury Park, CA native was definitely noticed by the west coast, but made the call to Charlie in then end. Dome

With Duval sidelined with a knee injury, Shaq looks to step up and grab the thrid WR spot. And with everything we're hearing he seems to have made quite the argument on why he should be on the bus. Quickness and a knack for making big plays will add a dimension to the typical possesional third receiver role we've all become accustomed to. Two burners on the outside, a great sure-handed slot guy who can go the distance at will, and a tower streaking down the middle on a seam route will make for a

Explosive playmaking ability has shot this defensive-back up to an elite level of recruitment. Can the Irish lure him in with the possibility of two Florida boys manning the backfield? One thing's for sure though. dem Florida boys are off the hizzo...or in proper vernacular, these Florida athletes are very athletic. Who'd want to throw on them? That's the message being sent to Palmdale by staff and other verbals. Others referring to Chris Martin in particular. I'm pulling for Chris to reign him

Cameron Roberson is a name on the tip of every recruitnik's tongue. Darius Walker meets a healthy Robert Hughes so to speak, would be a fair comparison. Standing a little over 6 feet tall and weighing 215 pounds, Cameron would bring an already-sturdy, college football-type of body to one lucky team. With offers up and down the west coast, this 4-star Californian back should be hard to pull, right? Not according to recent reports. It's been said Mr. Roberson is "really excited" about his Notre Da

Josh is 6'2" and weighs a robust 225. His max on the benchpress is 355 pounds, while his max squat is a hefty 495 pounds. He runs a 4.5 forty and also carries a 3.3 GPA. He has offers from everybody and their moms, and when I say moms, I mean the whole western United States. He likes to hike through opposing teams, and long walks on your face as well. With a knack for blowing up blind dates on the field, Josh enters our hearts as a possible future partner. Here's a video of Josh Shirley expressi

Recent weeks of speculation about Chris's plans on taking more visits, has left a certain uneasy feeling in many twice-bitten Notre Dame fans. Although the rumors were squashed and a re-dedication was made, it seems as though the wolves are always there fighting off the "no's" with a salesman-type efficiency. In any case, a collective sigh will be heard nation-wide once that pen hits the paper. In this video you can see the weight gain and his versatility. Couple that with his high motor and hig

Not every day do you see a physical, fast, sure-handed receiver all in one; but today is different. While it sounds like Kyle will be taking his official visits before any type of a decision is made, if Notre Dame can finally live up to it's talent-insinuated hype, the Irish will stand a great chance at landing this Chicago star.  

DD welcomes FLA CB, Spencer Boyd! With the earlier commitment of LB Kendall Moore, Spencer joins as lucky number thirteen. With it coming down to the Irish, the Wolverines, and the Bulldogs of Georgia; Mr. Boyd couldn't turn his back on Notre Dame according to his father. "It's a place we all hoped he would pick from the beginning" said his dad to a local newspaper covering the official announcement slated for tomorrow night. With the cat already out of the bag--thanks to pops--Domerdomain welco

Here's some footage of recently offered CA RB, Cameron Roberson. He looks to have good size standing slightly over 6 feet tall, and weighing around 215 pounds. Holding eight offers and looking for more, Cameron hopes to makes his decision some time after his senior year.  

Known for his hard hitting and gritty play, Chris Badger becomes the next in line to offer his services to the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. Welcome aboard Mr. Badger, we look forward to your ball-hawking skills and your intense hitting! Another Tommy Z. in the making will help bolster this class and round out its positional need.  

It sure is good to land a prospect over rival Michigan. This 5'10" CB has shown the knack for locating the ball, all while displaying a toughness that can't be overlooked. With ten major offers on the table, one stood out the most. Our Lady of the Lake. Welcome to Notre Dame Mr. Wood, we'll be the fanatics following you from here on out!