And then there were three.

When 5 star class of 2013 recruit Jaylon Smith committed to the Irish, it put the wheels in motion for other top-rated defensive players to follow suit.  Although the  current collection of upper classmen linebackers in South Bend include the likes of Manti Te’o, Dan Fox, Carlo Calabrese, as well as up and comers like Jarrett Grace, Kendall Moore, Justin Utupo and Prince Shembo, big programs like Notre Dame need to reload, not rebuild.  The linebacker class of 2013 started out with a bang and has continued to show promise.

With a 6’5” 225 lb. frame as a junior as well as a sports pedigree of having a father who played college football, a brother who played for Washington State and Uncle Donny Baseball; Danny Mattingly’s commitment to the Irish at the linebacker position firms up the defense for the future.  Most services have him ranked as a 3-star linebacker and many have him ranked higher as a tight end (the position for which Oklahoma offered him a scholarship).  Of course, he is an accomplished baseball player as well.  Overall, Mattingly seems like a good fit for the Irish; athletic talent, well-rounded and good character.

Watching Michael Deeb’s highlight films, you can’t help being impressed with this kid’s head for the ball and apparent love of hitting.  As impressive as Davonte Neal’s highlight films were from an offensive standpoint, Deeb puts you in the same kind of awe on the defensive side of the ball.  It’s no surprise Deeb has offers from Florida State, Penn State, Boise State, Pitt and others.  The more I see of this kid, the more I like what I see.

The final piece of this class’s linebacker recruiting plan is Alex Anzalone.  The Irish are definitely in the hunt for Anzalone’s services.

Note: The 16 verbal commits of the 2013 class come from 13 different states.  The power of national recruiting.

Independence

It’s easy to argue that it may now be time for Notre Dame to join a conference or be left out in the cold.  Let’s cover what we know - no National Championship since 1998, no Heisman Trophy winner since 1987 (Tim Brown), no big bowl victory against a ranked opponent since 1994 (Cotton Bowl over #6 Texas), no NBC television contract past 2015, no back to back double digit win season since 92 and 93, so there is no doubt the echoes are not just sleeping; they may actually be hibernating of perhaps in a coma.

With meetings of conference presidents and Jack Swarbrick discussing payoffs and teams moving from one conference to another, many feel now would be the time for Notre Dame to align itself with one of the power conferences to ensure their future relevance.   It looks like we will be working with a four team playoff slate for at least a few years (hopefully, eventually expanding to eight), so positioning will be everything.

Fans from rival schools in any conference may deny it, but they would all give their right arm (and left, for that matter) to get the Irish.  The Big 10, The Big 12, The ACC, The Pac 12, even the SEC would benefit from what the boys from South Bend would bring to the table - a huge fan base (thank you Catholics, Irish immigrants and subway alumni), national influence (thank you NBC), unmatched tradition and history (thank you Rockne, The Four Horseman and the Gipper), along with a football identity recognized everywhere (thank you Golden Dome and a bookstore that puts a logo on EVERYTHING).  Not to mention great academics.

It seems that Irish fans want to stay independent, which of course makes sense since tradition loves tradition.  On the other hand, most radio sports talk show hosts are convinced that they need to and will join a conference sooner than later.  This is an important time for Jack Swarbrick and Notre Dame President Reverend John Jenkins. The future depends on making the right decision.  Either way, the Notre Dame Football program has to return to greatness, and that lies at the feet of one man - Brian Kelly.