Blue and Gold Illustrated

FOOTBALL RECRUITING ROUNDUP But a "chance" might be an understatement. Hayes took a last-minute unofficial visit to Notre Dame for the Texas game Sept. 5 and plans to return for an official visit the weekend of the USC game Oct. 17. While the 6-3, 254-pound linebacker remains committed to the Trojans, he did admit that he's starting to waver a little more on his word. "I love everything about USC, I have been committed to USC for a year and a half," Hayes said. "Not a lot has changed. Obviously a few recent events are a few areas of concern. But at the end of the day I'm still committed. I'm just taking it one day at a time." • When Autry Denson was hired to replace Tony Alford as Notre Dame's running backs coach, many Notre Dame fans thought the Irish would see a drop-off on the recruiting trail in Florida. After all, Alford was regarded as an ace recruiter in the Sunshine State, and Denson didn't have much experience under his belt. Well it hasn't taken long for Denson to secure an official visit from the state's top prospect this cycle. Tampa (Fla.) Catholic five-star wideout Nate Craig-Myers plans to visit Notre Dame Oct. 17 for the USC game. Craig-Myers, who is also ranked as the No. 1 wide receiver and No. 11 overall player in the country by Rivals, was at one time committed to Auburn, but he said he wants to give the Irish a look because of Denson. "Everything he says is really spiritual, and he always wants me to keep a level head and stay humble at all times," Craig-Myers said when asked about the coach. "The tradition they have speaks for itself. I really just want to go up and see what they have to offer me, and what their new quarterbacks are like and how they get the ball to their playmakers." The 6-2, 205-pound Craig-Myers is in line to become the highest-rated recruit from the state of Florida to take an official visit to Notre Dame since Philadelphia Eagles rookie wide receiver Nelson Agholor was in the stands for a game in 2012. Craig-Myers is also considering Florida, Alabama and Ohio State. • Gardena (Calif.) Junipero Serra four-star defensive end Wole Betiku always planned to take an official visit to Notre Dame. However, when he gave a commitment to UCLA back in July, those plans appeared to go out the window. Betiku said that he was solid on his pledge to the Bruins and didn't want to look at any other schools. That's not the case anymore. Betiku told Blue & Gold Illustrated that he will take an official visit to Notre Dame for the USC game Oct. 17. "Yeah, I'm taking an official," Betiku said in a message. "[Associate head coach] Mike Denbrock has kept in touch." The 6-4, 250-pounder is ranked by Rivals as the No. 4 strongside defensive end in the country and the nation's No. 33 overall prospect. Defensive end is a specific need area for the Irish in this recruiting cycle. He also plans to take official visits to Florida State and Texas A&M. — Andrew Ivins Follow @BGI_aivins and @BGI_JWells on Twitter for daily recruiting updates available on BlueandGold.com!

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