IRISH IN CALEB KELLY’S TOP SEVEN
Outside linebacker Caleb Kelly is a 5-star in the class of 2016. The 6-3, 215-pound star out of Fresno’ California’s Clovis West released his top seven on July 7, and the Irish made the cut. Kelly tweeted out his list, in no order, saying, “I am truly blessed and feel it’s right to continue narrowing down schools.” In addition to Notre Dame, Kelly’s list includes USC, Oklahoma, Oregon, Michigan, Stanford and Ohio State. Kelly was originally scheduled to visit Notre Dame for Irish Invasion in June but had to cancel. He hopes to visit by the end of July. Miami didn’t make the cut, out of the ACC. Neither did Alabama, who was expected to be a contender to land him.
ERIC CUFFEE INCLUDES NOTRE DAME IN CUT
4-star defensive back Eric Cuffee, a 5-11, 188-pounder out of Waco, Texas, narrowed down his list of potential schools to eight. Notre Dame is included in Cuffee’s list of semifinalists. “After a long talk with God and my family, I have decided to make a list of my top eight schools that I feel are the best for me,” he posted on his social media account. In addition to the Irish, the list includes Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Michigan, Texas, Baylor, TCU and Arkansas. Cuffee attended Irish Invasion in June. He plans to cut his list to a top five during his senior season.
JONATHAN JONES VISITING IRISH FOR GAME
Jonathan Jones, a 3-star outside linebacker in the class of 2016, is planning to visit Notre Dame next season. The 6-2, 225-pounder from Orlando’s Oak Ridge High plans to take an official visit to Notre Dame for the Sept. 26 game against UMass. That conflicts with a previously announced official visit scheduled to Michigan. Both schools are in Jones’ top five, along with Duke, Stanford and Oklahoma. Georgia Tech, Miami, UNC, NC State, Pitt and Wake Forest all offered Jones but didn’t survive his cut to five finalists.
IRISH COMPETING WITH TWO ACC SCHOOLS FOR BROWN
4-star class of 2016 linebacker Cameron Brown has an ACC-favored list of finalists. The 6-5, 210-pounder out of Potomac, Maryland’s Paint Branch High released his top five schools in early July. Notre Dame made the cut, along with full-time ACC members UNC and Pitt. The other two schools Brown is considering are USC and Penn State. Duke, NC State, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest offered Brown but didn’t survive the cut. He hopes to make his choice in August.