Cavalier Corner Digital

✦ football recruiting All-American Season By Jason Sapp Notre Dame is hitting the final stretch of its 2013 recruiting campaign with 22 verbal commitments. The numbers game isn't an exact science with variables such as fifth-year options, transfers, career-ending injuries and other factors in play, but Notre Dame has two spots remaining with the possibility of adding a third depending on how some of those scenarios play out closer to National Signing Day Feb. 6. The primary focus is on a defensive back, with a defensive big skill prospect and the next best playmaker, potentially a touted receiver, occupying the other spots in the blueprint. The BCS National Championship Game is the primary focus now that the Irish have arrived in Miami, but for those interested in the recruiting game there's a stretch of All-Star and All-America games prior to the Jan. 7 showdown between Notre Dame and Alabama. Here's a look at what to watch in those contests: Under Armour All-America Game Location: Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. Date: Jan. 4 at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN • Running back Tarean Folston of Cocoa, Fla., has been the top prospect at his position on the Irish radar dating back to the start of the process. He initially planned on announcing during the Under Armour All-America Game broadcast, but opted to become official on Jan. 2 and join Florida native Greg Bryant as the running back tandem for Notre Dame's 2013 class. "Notre Dame is just a home feeling," he reported to 247Sports scouting director Gerry Hamilton. Besides Notre Dame, he took an official visit to Oregon and was very familiar with South Florida. Auburn, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia Tech were also involved. Another pair of running backs in the Under Armour game that are committed to other programs — Ty Isaac (USC) of Joliet, Ill., and Dontre Wilson (Oregon) of DeSoto, Texas — were on Notre Dame's radar, but the addition of Folston led to the Irish ending their pursuit of them. • Mission Viejo, Calif., safety Max Redfield, a previous USC commit, regained interest in the Trojans after Oregon decided to go in a different direction, and the in-state program looks to be the toughest competition for his services. As expected, head coach Lane Kiffin and four members of his staff made an in-home visit at the end of the contact period to get a last stop in prior to Redfield's trip to Florida for the All-American contest and the looming dead period. There may be clear ties to staying close to home, but USC was only able to pull even after he took an official visit — a difference from the Irish taking the clear lead following his trip to South Bend and particularly after he put himself back on the market. He has been the Irish's top target as a defensive back that can line up at safety or cornerback, a la Irish fifth-year senior Jamoris Slaughter. Notre Dame still appears to be in very good position to secure a pledge from Redfield if he follows through with the plan to announce at this game. • Three Notre Dame pledges will also be at the Under Armour Game: Wyomissing, Pa., linebacker Alex Anzalone; Owensboro, Ky., offensive tackle Hunter Bivin; Cocoa, Fla., running back Tarean Folston initially planned on announcing his decision during the Under Armour All-America Game broadcast, but instead chose to pledge to Notre Dame on Jan. 2. Photo courtesy 247Sports and New Lenox, Ill., offensive tackle Colin McGovern. However, McGovern won't be participating in the contest because he is recovering from a slightly torn MCL that may require a surgical procedure to repair. • Another Irish target on site is former USC athlete commit Sebastian LaRue of Santa Monica, Calif., who is planning on taking an official visit to Notre Dame if the status of his "conditional" offer is upgraded based on his academic progress, which would also allow him to schedule the trip. U.S. Army All-American Bowl Location: Alamo Dome in San Antonio Sate: Jan. 5 at 1 p.m. ET on NBC ✦ Page 16 • Outside linebacker/defensive end Alquadin Muhammad of Ramsey, N.J., is preparing to make his college decision at this game. Notre Dame has been the team to beat for months, and it still appears that's the case, but the Irish may not be in position to accept his pledge at this time because he has a couple of situations that still need worked to be out on his end. At this point, it wouldn't be a surprise if he decided to delay his announcement and not use the Army Bowl as the platform if Notre Dame couldn't accept his pledge at this time, which also ties into the reason why an official visit date hasn't been finalized to South Bend. Muhammad is rated as the No. 94 recruit in the land by 247Sports.

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