National signing day is today and Gunner Kiel tops Irish recruiting haul

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Prized QB recruit Gunner Kiel, from Columbus East, Ind., is joining Notre Dame. Kiel first said he would go to Indiana, where his brother was among the quarterbacks, and he later expressed interest in LSU. But on Tuesday, he comitted to the Irish. | AP

Updated: March 2, 2012 8:17AM

National signing day is Wednesday and the biggest fish for Notre Dame’s recruiting class wasn’t reeled in until recently.

Gunner Kiel, a quarterback from Columbus, Ind., initially committed to Indiana in August then switched to LSU in December, even enrolling for classes before having a change of heart and arriving in South Bend last month.

At 6-4 220 pounds, the strong-armed Kiel, the nephew of former Notre Dame quarterback Blair Kiel, is generally regarded as the No.1 QB prospect in the country.

Kiel has already enrolled and he, along with Tommy Rees, Andrew Hendrix and Everett Golson, will turn spring practice into a four-way battle for the starting quarterback spot,

Kiel’s indecision about which school to attend has given some analysts pause about how well he would hold up under the red hot glare at Notre Dame, where the starting job is up in the air.

“With Dayne Crist moving on and because they’re not sure Tommy Rees is the guy, it’s always big to get a quarterback with all the physical tools to be an excellent college quarterback,” ESPN recruiting analyst Craig Haubert said. “The path he traveled to get to Notre Dame was unusual. That could be a red flag. Obviously, he could be a difference maker. “

The Irish are expected to sign 14 recruits today to add to the three already enrolled.

ESPN has the classed ranked No. 9.

It’s a class that adds depth to the defensive line (Sheldon Day, Jarron Jones and Romeo Okwara) but one that failed to land enough depth at cornerback, a crucial position of need with Robert Blanton and Gary Gray departing.

The Irish did land one top cornerback, Tee Shepard, who is ranked 76th in the country by Rivals.com. But they lost another one, Ronald Darby, who was ranked 68th by Rivals.com. Darby committed to Notre Dame in April then he de-committed last month. He will announce his decision today with Florida State pegged as the leader. Darby was clocked at 4.37 in the 40-yard dash, according to Rivals.

“Losing Darby was a blow,” Haubert said. “Getting him would’ve allowed Notre Dame fans to exhale a bit.”

The Irish wiil sign three wide receivers –Deontay Greenberry, Chris Brown and Justin Ferguson. All of them are big receivers and should fill a need for them with Michael Floyd leaving.

There are three offensive lineman in the class –Ronnie Stanley, Scott Daly (a long snapper), and Mark Harrell.

Haubert said all the linemen need season before they play. With the numbers they have on the interior defensive line (Aaron Lynch, Stephon Tuitt, Ishaq Williams and Chase Hounshell all finished their freshman season), it’s possible that Jones, at 6-7 285 pounds, could move to the other side.

“I wouldn’t be shocked if he played on the offensive line, “Haubert said.

Haubert said he doesn’t expect Notre Dame to add any other players ranked in the top 150 though an under-the-radar prospect could come aboard.

Signed Letter of Intent

Sheldon Day DT 6-2 286 Warren Central Indianapolis

Gunner Kiel QB 6-4 220 Columbus East Columbus IN

Tee Shepard CB 6-1 180 Washington Union Fresno, CA

Verbal Commitments

Nicky Baratti ATH 6-2 215 Klein Oak Spring, TX

Chris Brown WR 6-2 185 Hanahan Hanahan, SC

Scott Daly OL 6-4 230 Downers Grove South Downers Grove, IL

Justin Ferguson WR 6-1 210 Flanagan Pembroke Pines, FL

Deontay Greenberry WR 6-3 187 Washington Union Fresno, CA

Mark Harrell OL 6-5 270 Charlotte Catholic Charlotte

Jarron Jones DT 6-7 308 Aquinas Institute Rochester, NY

William Mahone RB 5-11 205 Austintown Fitch Austin, OH

Romeo Okwara DE 6-5 240 Ardrey Kelly Charlotte

CJ Prosise DB 6-1 202 Woodberry Forest Woodberry, VA

KeiVarae Russell ATH 6-0 170 Mariner Everett WA

Elijah Shumate DB 6-1 205 Don Bosco West Orange NJ

Ronnie Stanley OL 6-7 285 Bishop Gorman Las Vegas

John Turner S 6-2 205 Indianapolis Cathedral Indianapolis

Source: Rivals.com

Team Rankings

ESPN No. 9

Scout.com 9

Rivals.com 16

Maxpreps 16