Defensive End Clay Burton leads the strong Notre Dame 2010 recruiting class. The Florida native was highly sought after, receiving offers from powerhouse football schools such as Boston College, Cincinnati, Clemson, Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, LSU, Ole Miss, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Rutgers, South Florida, Stanford, Tennessee and West Virginia.

Football genes run deep in the Burton family as his brother Trey is a three—star quarterback for the University of Florida. Clay did not receive an offer to his brothers alma matter however.

An extremely gifted athlete, The 6’3”, 230-pounder, Burton, recorded a 4.8 in the 50 yard dash. He is expected to play the Outside linebacker spot occupied currently by Darius Fleming. According to CBS College Sports recruiting analyst Tom Lemming, "He's got good quickness; a great motor, and great strength."

Burton excels in the classroom as well, registering a 3.8 GPA. Notre Dames high academic standards of appealed to Burton "The tradition and the academics at Notre Dame were important to me," Burton said. "That was something I considered."

He was also sold on the tradition and mystique of South Bend. Burton’s decision was made rather quickly without considering the multitude of offers from other schools. "Just after the visit with the coaching staff and the tradition and the education and football mixed together it just made my mind up easy for me. I'm just happy to make this decision."

Now the next step for Burton is to help lead his The Fighting Irish to a championship.

Other notable 2010 Notre Recruits include: DE Brad Carrico (6-6, 225) LB Jarret Grace (6-4/235, Rank #20) OL Conor Hanratty (6-4/305) LB Matthew Hegarty (6-5/265) TE Ben Koyac (6-5, 230), OL Jordan Prestwood (6-6, 280), DE Tony Springmann (6-6, 275).