Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/259072
FOOTBALL RECRUITING an 11th-hour offer from the University of Georgia. Given Notre Dame's recent history of disappointment on National Sign- ing Day and even months after, all's well that ends before the first Wednes- day in February. FINISHING TOUCH Notre Dame's 23-man class, along with the five fifth-year seniors the Irish plan to retain, brings the team's grand total to 84 players on scholar- ship if the roster remains the same through August. The Irish have space for one more player and may use that spot to add an experienced athlete in the defensive backfield. Florida safety/cornerback Cody Riggs told the Gators on National Signing Day that he didn't plan on using his final year of eligibility in Gainesville, Fla., next fall. The senior will be eligible to play as a transfer in 2014 because he will graduate this spring. He has former ties to Notre Dame, and there is a mutual interest in adding him to the Irish roster. "We're open to going beyond the 23," head coach Brian Kelly said after introducing his new group of incom- ing freshmen. Riggs would add an immediate dose of experience and athleticism to the Irish secondary. He started 26 games at Florida, including 12 last season at safety. Last fall, Riggs finished fourth on the team in tackles with 51, includ- ing 6.5 for loss, and had three passes broken up. He would likely play cornerback at Notre Dame and compete for playing Defensive back Cody Riggs — who started 26 games at Florida the past three years, including 12 last sea- son at safety — wants to use his final season of eligibility at Notre Dame. PHOTO COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA