Any questions about quarterback Gunner Kiel choosing Notre Dame have been officially answered, as the university publicly announced the addition of four student-athletes to the program this afternoon. Kiel is joined by fellow early-enrollees Sheldon Day, a defensive tackle from Indianapolis and cornerback Tee Shepard of Sacramento, along with USC transfer running back Amir Carlisle. All four began classes today, the beginning of spring semester.
The announcement of Kiel joining Notre Dame ends a whirlwind 24 hours, with the internet ablaze with updates on the blue-chip quarterback. (Kiel has been trending nationally on Twitter since yesterday.) Since Douglas Farmer of The Observer broke the news in the school’s student newspaper, many have questioned why Kiel made the switch. He did his best to explain the process in a statement released by the school.
“This recruitment process was a roller-coaster ride at times, but I know I have made the right decision for my family and me,” Kiel said. “There were three critical elements I was looking for in my future school: the quality of education I would receive, the distance from home and the comfort level I would have with the players and coaches in the football program. Notre Dame was the perfect fit for me because it hit all three areas.
“Coach Kelly was great throughout my recruitment, as many times our conversations had nothing do with football. That really showed me he had my best intentions in mind. He was persistent yet also patient while recruiting me and I look forward to playing for him the next four years. I couldn’t be happier to be a member of the Fighting Irish football team. I’m excited about the future of the program.”
Kiel will jump into a three-man battle for the starting quarterback job, challenging Tommy Rees, Andrew Hendrix, and Everett Golson during spring practice.
No stranger to recruiting headlines himself, Tee Shepard seems like a forgotten man after the past day of excitement. But make no mistake, Shepard is likely the most important defensive recruit on the Irish board, and the cornerback’s early enrollment will give him an opportunity to make up for a lost senior season thanks to California transfer rules. Long committed to the Irish with his cousin, star wide receiver Deontay Greenberry, Shepard considered USC in late December before coming back in the fold for the Irish.
“I’m really happy to part of the Notre Dame football family,” Shepard said in a statement. “This is a special place and I’m excited to finally be here. Getting a jump start on my training and in my classes can only help me for the future.”
Shepard will immediately battle for playing time with the secondary needing to replace both Gary Gray and Robert Blanton. His commitment also likely solidifies Greenberry’s, as the cousins have long talked about playing together in college.
Sliding into South Bend quietly is Sheldon Day, a highly-touted defensive lineman that in past seasons would’ve been the premiere recruit of the class. Coming from Indianapolis powerhouse Warren Central, Day was the Indianapolis Star’s Player of the Year and finished second to Kiel for Mr. Football in Indiana. At six-foot-two, 286-pounds, Day doesn’t have the prototypical size of guys like Louis Nix, Aaron Lynch and Stephon Tuitt, but he had offers from programs like Auburn, Florida, LSU and Michigan, and adds another intriguing piece of talent to the defensive line, even if he might not press for playing time immediately.
“I’m excited to get here and get started on my classwork and to start the conditioning program with Coach Longo,” Day said in a statement. “I really liked meeting the guys during my recruiting process and I’m excited to start workouts with them this winter.”
Finally, the Irish also welcome in running back Amir Carlisle after transferring from USC, giving the Irish their second transfer in as many seasons after finishing as runners-up in the recruiting battle (Jordan Prestwood came to Notre Dame after enrolling at Florida State). Carlisle was a Parade All-American out of high school and ran for 6.2 yards a carry for the Trojans last season on 19 carries and scored on a touchdown pass as well in a season cut short by injuries.
“I’m really excited to be here at Notre Dame. I had great respect for the school and football program when I went through the recruiting process a year ago and I’m proud to be enrolled here,” Carlisle said in a statement. “I know this will be a great fit for me and I can’t wait to get started.”
Carlisle’s transfer came out of the blue and was a surprise to the Trojan coaching staff, who had high hopes for the sophomore running back and had ushered out plenty of players from the roster this offseason as they get down to a mandated 75 roster spots thanks to their NCAA rules violation. The move was likely prompted by the move of Carlisle’s father Duane to Purdue, where he’s taken over the sports performance program. Carlisle will sit out the 2012 season and have three seasons of eligibility remaining.
