With the end of the underwhelming 2011 season still fresh, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are looking towards the future. It’s a bright future at that, as Notre Dame are welcoming ,and in the hunt for, nationally ranked recruits.

1.       Tee Shepard (6-0, 172 pounds, Central High East Campus, Fresno, CA)

This well sought after cornerback, according to NBCSports, has chosen to lend his talents to the Notre Dame football team and is very close to enrolling. This five star Fresno, California-based recruit has safety size and plays like a cornerback. Shepard’s excellent hands and coverage ability make him very dangerous against the pass. He may need to improve in his tackling to compete at the next level.

2.       Nelson Algholor (6-2, 180 lbs, WR, Berkeley Prepatory School, Tampa, FL)

Hailed as one of the best athletes in the nation, Algholor plays on both sides of the ball. He could be a very valuable addition to the Fighting Irish offense. His stats are very impressive. As a junior, the star racked up 1,494 rushing yards, 18 rushing tackles, 356 receiving yards along with three touchdowns on offense. On defense, Algholor tallied 27 tackles and three interceptions. At the next level the Floridian can be a force as a cornerback or safety with his superb ball skills and range.  Algholor will be even more dangerous if he bulks up, adds weight, and becomes more physical.

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3.       Deontay Greenberry (6-3, 187 lbs, WR, Washington Union, Fresno, CA)

This big time deep threat could make Fighting Irish fans forget about the departing Michael Floyd. Greenberry’s impressive size, strength, and speed (4.44 secs 40) were on display his junior year, finishing the season with 66 receptions, for 1,208 yards and eight touchdowns. Greenberry has an uncanny ability to make catches in traffic. He has a reputation however for taking off some plays but is a superb talent nonetheless. Scouts project his game to be similar to that of Larry Fitzgerald.

4.       Ifeadi Odenigbo (6-3.5, 217 lbs, OLB, Centerville HS, Centerville, OH)

Odenigbo could be the speed rusher the Fighting Irish need to replace Darius Fleming. The quarterback is no friend to the Ohio native who brought down opposing play callers 10 times his junior year along with registering 40 tackles. He and Ishaq Williams would make for a dangerous combo. His explosiveness, closing speed, and first step cannot be questioned. Gaining more weight and strength would benefit the outside linebacker at the collegiate level. Scouts compare his game to that of Detroit Lions LB Julian Peterson.

5.       Ronald Darby (5-11, 175 lbs, DB/RB  Potomac HS, Potomac, MI)
Darby brings speed and athleticism to a new level on the field. In fact, the five star cornerback recorded the fastest time in the country at the Underarmor combine at 4.31 seconds. He also led all players in leaping ability with a vertical jump of over 36 inches. He could be part of a freshman tandem at corner along with Tee Shepard next season. The speedster will need to add more pounds to his light frame and learn to read body language and eyes to rely less on his quickness.

Irish eyes and Fighting Irish fans should be smiling with the pot of gold that awaits them at the end of this recruitment class rainbow.  And this is only the start.

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Read more:

More news on the Notre Dame Fighthing Irish from IrishCentral

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