Melbourne, FL (UHND) — Florida defensive back Ray Herring became the 11th verbal commitment to Notre Dame on Thursday when he pledged to the Irish. Stating that he knew that Notre Dame was the place for him Ray on his visit, Herring became Charlie Weis’ third new commitment from this past weekend.
Herring’s statements leading up to his decision and during his announcement made it clear that he was a Notre Dame kid. He stated on floridatoday.com that he got tears in his eyes when watching a highlight reel on his visit to Notre Dame.
Ray was also impressed with new coach Charlie Weis and never wavered in his interest in Notre Dame despite the coaching change. Instead of giving up no Notre Dame throughout the process, he stayed interested and gives Notre Dame an excellent prospect for its defensive backfield and student body.
Anyone who has not read his recruiting journal from Florida Today (link) needs to read it in order to see how special this recruit is for Notre Dame. Herring didn’t pick Notre Dame for its coach, or its ability to get him to the NFL — he picked Notre Dame because he understood what Notre Dame is and just how special a place it is.
Notre Dame’s defensive backfield for this class now has two very good safety prospects with Herring and fellow commit David Bruton. Both were on campus this weekend visiting Notre Dame and will give Notre Dame a pair of rock solid safeties.
So far Weis and staff have closed on 3 of the 6 previously uncommitted recruits who visited this weekend — their first recruiting weekend at Notre Dame. Offensive tackles Paul Duncan and Michael Turkovich committed on their visits to the Irish leaving DJ Hord, Rafael Eubanks, and Patrick Kuntz left on the board for Notre Dame from this weekend.
The Irish have a legitimate shot at landing the remaining 3 as well. DJ Hord was interviewed by a Kansas State website and made some comments hinting Kansas State was at the top of his list, but all three teams left (Notre Dame, Kansas State, and Wisconsin) have a chance here. He will announce on Saturday at the All American Bowl. Hord could be the first player to commit to Notre Dame during an All American bowl telecast.
Patrick Kuntz has said he grew up a Notre Dame fan and is from Indiana. He got an offer from the Notre Dame staff once Charlie Weis took over. I like Notre Dame’s chances here. Eubanks was committed to Iowa before his visit to Notre Dame, but his visiting showed that he has interest in the Irish. Eubanks is the least likely to commit from this past weekend, but Notre Dame still has a shot here.
