Notre Dame Adds Recruits

Notre Dame’s Sugar Bowl battle with LSU could have more than just game stakes. It could determine if the Irish land heralded defensive tackle Will Blackwell.

The 6-4, 295-pounder is from West Monroe, La., and has narrowed his finalists to Notre Dame and LSU. And, yes, his decision could come down to who wins the Sugar Bowl.

Speaking of recruiting, Notre Dame has received three more oral commitments to boost their total to 14. All three are from the South, yet another indication that coach Charlie Weis leaves no part of the country unaccounted for.

Tailback Armando Allen from Hialeah, Fla, gives the Irish another speed back. Defensive tackle Ian Williams from Florida and athlete Golden Tate from Tennessee are instant impact type players.

Tate played quarterback, tailback, receiver, defensive back and kick returner. He even had a 40-yard punting average. This past season he rushed for 1,413 yards and had 510 receiving yards while totaling 29 touchdowns. He also plans to play baseball at Notre Dame.

He picked the Irish over Florida, Alabama, Vanderbilt and South Carolina.

Williams is a crucial recruit consider Notre Dame will love defensive tackle Derek Landri and, possible, Trevor Laws. He is 6-2 and 294 and is ranked No. 28 among defensive tackles by rivals.com, an Internet recruiting service.

Notre Dame’s No. 1 commitment is quarterback Jimmy Clausen from California. Other commitments are wide receiver Duval Kamara, tight end Mike Ragone, offensive linemen Andrew Nuss and Emeka Nwankwo, defensive linemen Kerry Neal and Justin Trattou, linebacker Aaron Nagel, cornerback Gary Gray and athletes Steve Paskorz and Greg Little.

The class could get to 25 by the time February's signing period arrives.