Notre Dame Picks Up Elite Defensive Players Isaac Rochell and Jaylon Smith

Less than 5 days after Notre Dame and coach Brian Kelly secured their biggest commitment with the #1 outside linebacker in the nation (#4 overall) in Jaylon Smith today 4 star defensive end Isaac Rochell from Georgia made his commitment to the Irish public also.

Both players are elite defensive standouts who were being recruited nationally with among some of the best SEC schools craving their commitments. Kelly and his staff are slowly building a defense that can compete with some of the SEC schools by getting players like Rochell out of the South.

Here are some highlights of Smith. Smith is the biggest recruit of the Kelly era (transfer Aaron Lynch and current QB Gunner Kiel a close second) and should compete right away as a freshman in 2013 for the dog or the mike linebacker positions in South Bend especially with the departure of senior captain Manti Te'o. Smith's athleticism is off the charts with sub 4.5 speed and a build that is ready to compete in the college game.


Rochell is the second elite defensive end from Georgia to come to Notre Dame in the past 3 seasons joining current freshman starter Stephon Tuitt. Tuitt was a 5 star defensive end and Rochell isn't quite up to his billing but he did turn down LSU, FSU and Florida among others when he picked Notre Dame today. A top 100 player in the nation and the #8 defensive end Rochell should compete for the 2 deep in 2013.