Irish recruiting gains momentum

Isaac Rochell marks the second commitment in a week for the 2013 Notre
Dame recruiting class and a sign of a little momentum heading into the
summer months of hosting visitors.

Rochell’s commitment to the coaching staff late Wednesday night comes
on the heels of five-star linebacker Jaylon Smith’s announcement on
Saturday.

“He was the number one target for Notre Dame moving forward after they
landed Jaylon Smith,” said Steve Wiltfong, 247Sports.com national
recruiting writer.

“He was a huge get for Notre Dame as they start their defensive line
recruiting in 2013.”

Rochell becomes the first true defensive line commit of the class.
Columbus, Ohio’s Jacob Matuska has played primarily tight end at
Bishop Hartley High School, but most recruiting sites believe the
commit will end up on the defensive line as well.

The recent commitments move the class size to 14, with visitors
continuing to shuffle into Notre Dame throughout the rest of June.
Wiltfong pointed to the recent visits by cornerback Cole Luke and
defensive end Ebenezer Ogundeko and next weekend’s visit from
linebacker Alex Anzalone as a good sign for Notre Dame. Wiltfong said
the Irish currently lead for Ogundeko.

“I do believe that you can have a snowball recruiting momentum as
you’ve seen at Notre Dame and other places this year like Michigan,”
Wiltfong said.

Rochell’s commitment adds to the success that Brian Kelly’s staff has
had recruiting high-quality players in the defensive front seven.

“Brian Kelly and his staff have made it a priority to go out and find
really good players in the front seven on defense that also fit the
values that Notre Dame is looking for or a type of kid that would fit
in at Notre Dame,” Wiltfong said. “Isaac Rochell’s another piece of
the puzzle over the three years of talented players they’ve brought in
a la Stephon Tuitt, Ishaq Williams, Chase Hounshell and Sheldon Day.”

Another positive to come from Rochell’s commitment is the early
results in recruiting that tight ends coach Scott Booker has turned in
before coaching his first game as a full-time assistant coach. Booker
was the lead recruiter for Rochell and cornerback commit Devin Butler.

“He’s been a bulldog since he’s been hired on Notre Dame’s coaching
staff tracking down every lead that comes his way — doing the extra
things that you need to do to be a good recruiter,” Wiltfong said,
“and staying in touch with these young men and delivering the message
in a way that they can digest on why Notre Dame would be a good fit
for them and getting the kids that he’s recruiting to come visit.”

Once recruits get on campus, Wiltfong said, the Notre Dame coaching
staff has worked well together to impress the players. Rochell even
named director of player development and engagement Ernest Jones as a
Notre Dame staff member that helped his decision.

“I think that several coaches may have had an effect on Isaac
Rochell’s commitment to Notre Dame, especially when he came to campus
and got to hang out with Brian Kelly more, (defensive coordinator)
coach (Bob) Diaco, defensive line coach (Mike) Elston, and all those
guys.”