Notre Dame picks up first commitment for 2012 class in CB Tee Shepard

If you follow Notre Dame recruiting you know there has been a major concern in terms of numbers in the defensive backfield after the 2011 season. With the losses of senior cornerbacks Gary Gray and Robert Blanton not to mention safety Harrison Smith after this coming up season the Fighting Irish will be extremely low in depth and talent in the defensive backfield.

Enter the commitment today of Fresno, CA cornerback Tee Shepard.

Shepard is the first commitment for the Fighting Irish's 2012 class. He is a 6'1, 175 lb elite cornerback who has offers from Alabama, Auburn, Miami, and USC among many others. In fact he might be the best cornerback in the 2012 class and his commitment is huge for Notre Dame.

Shepard has a chance to start right away during his freshman season. He is the quintessential shutdown corner who would be right up there with Manti Te'o, Aaron Lynch, Ishaq Williams, and Stephon Tuitt in terms of elite high school talent. Shepard also has the ability to return quicks and is extremely fast and agile. If Notre Dame fans want to compare him to somebody recently in college football think of LSU's Patrick Peterson. Shepard has the same ability.

As with all verbal commitments they are non-binding which means Notre Dame is just in the proverbial lead right now for Shepard. With 11 months left till signing day you can bet Lane Kiffin and Nick Saban won't stop pursuing a player with Shepard's ability till the ink is dry. Either way it's a great start for Notre Dame's 2012 class.

Here are some highlights of Shepard from the steady hand of Michael J. Fox....