Notre Dame Recruiting Keeps Rolling

So Bishop Dwenger receiver John Goodman knew in his heart he was going to be a Fighting Irish the moment Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis answered all his questions.

So why wait?

Goodman didn’t and now he’s orally committed to the Irish, although he can’t officially sign until February of 2008 and won’t arrive on campus until that summer.

No matter. Goodman is 6-4 and 190 pounds and almost certainly will fill out more by then. He could be a big receiver in the mold of Jeff Samardzija, although only time will tell if he can be as productive as that All-America.

He was productive at Dwenger last year, catching 44 passes for 815 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also returned punts and kickoffs.

Goodman chose Notre Dame over Indiana, Purdue, Michigan, Kentucky, Iowa, Minnesota and Ball State.

Goodman wasn’t the only bit of good recruiting news for Weis. Also committing was Penn center Braxton Cave, who is 6-4 and 294 pounds. He has good speed for a guy that big and even on the offensive line, you can’t be fast enough. Also in his recruiting picture were Purdue, Indiana, Florida, Michigan and Iowa.

With current Notre Dame center John Sullivan set to play in his final season, that position could be wide open.

Both Goodman and Cave committed in the aftermath of attending last Sunday’s junior day gathering. That’s when about 40 high school juniors showed to see why Notre Dame might be the best school for them.

As expected, plenty of studs attended such as receiver Warren Reuland of California (he’s the younger brother of Notre Dame tight end Konrad Reuland), Chicago linebacker Steven Filer, Ohio safety Dan McCarthy (the younger brother of Irish safety Kyle McCarthy), Nebraska offensive lineman Trevor Robinson and Illinois defensive lineman Sean Cwynar.

Notre Dame now has three commitments for its class of 2008. The other is Connecticut center Mike Golic Jr.

Yes, it's early, but it looks like Weis is well on his way to a third straight outstanding class.