Notre Dame football recruiting: Smith already working to get others to join him

ANGOLA, Ind. -- On Saturday, coveted outside linebacker Jaylon Smith made known his college choice. On Sunday, he made another big decision, announcing via Twitter that he would wear No. 1 for the Irish when he arrives in about a year.

"I don't know if it's selfish or lackadaisical," Smith said Saturday, "but I'm really obsessed with numbers."

Expect Smith to get to work on increasing the number of players committed to Notre Dame's 2013 recruiting class, a group that now stands at 13. The charismatic Smith said Saturday that he's already gone to work on a handful of players who are in ND's crosshairs.

"He's a very engaging personality," said 247Sports.com national recruiting writer Steve Wiltfong, "the type of guy who can really communicate with other prospects on why he picked Notre Dame."

Smith mentioned cornerback Vernon Hargreaves of Tampa, Fla., and linebacker Alex Anzalone of Wyomissing, Pa., as players he's targeting. Hargreaves is ranked as the nation's No. 9 player by Rivals.com and Anzalone No. 49.

Add to that group, according to Wiltfong, linebacker Michael Hutchings of Concord, Calif. Hutchings is rated as the nation's 51st-best player.

With Manti Te'o graduating, linebacker is among ND's biggest needs. Smith is a huge commitment for the Irish, but there's room for more. And with recent recruiting misses at cornerback, along with Tee Shepard's March departure, ND could stand to add to its current haul of two corners -- Rashad Kinlaw and Devin Butler.

Smith plans to be in South Bend the weekend of June 15 when a number of players are expected to visit. Some, according to Smith, are expected to arrive the previous day, which happens to be Smith's birthday.

"So I won't be there. I'll be eating some cake or something," Smith said.

Smith, however, isn't the only recruit in ND's class who is turning recruiter. Wiltfong also identified wide receiver James Onwualu and quarterback Malik Zaire as guys who can become arms of the Irish staff.

"Those are three real personable young men," Wiltfong said, "that are not shy, that's for sure."

Staff writer Bob Wieneke:
bwieneke@sbtinfo.com
574-235-6428

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