According to the latest ESPN College Football Program Recruiting Rankings Notre Dame is ninth in the nation.  The Irish are up two spots from the last rankings in June.

Sixteen high school players have committed to Brian Kelly’s squad including five considered to be among the top 150 ESPNU recruits in the country.

This achievement is more impressive considering the school’s historical hardship in recruiting players due to its high academic standards.

The Fighting Irish’s strong recruitment efforts were further bolstered by the two recent signings of top Floridian Defensive End prospects Aaron Lynch and Anthony Rabasa.

Cape Canaveral native Aaron Lynch (ranked #50 ESPNU) is a highly touted Defensive End at 6’5”, 250 lbs. “Lynch is capable of being a real handful” according to a source. “He is a big kid with good height and bulk, but the thing that really puts a smile on your face is that he still has upside physically and as a player.”

The other recent big score for Notre Dame was a commitment from Miami’s own Anthony Rabasa (#98). Scouts are very high on this raw talent. “He has good size and the frame to be able to add more good bulk with time in a college weight program. He flashes very good quickness off the ball…”

Other notable signings include Mathew Hagerty OT (#24), Ben Koyak TE (#78), and Jordan Prestwood OT (#131).

Perhaps The Blue and Gold’s recruiting success off the field can translate into success on the gridiron and a bowl berth for the Irish this season.