Notre Dame normally lines up with four linebackers on the field in its defensive scheme, and now it has four linebackers in the 2013 recruiting class.
Wyomissing, Pa., linebacker Alex Anzalone became the fourth when he announced his verbal commitment to the Irish on Sunday night at Nike's The Opening camp in Beaverton, Ore. Anzalone chose Notre Dame over Penn State and Florida.
Anzalone joins Jaylon Smith, Danny Mattingly and Michael Deeb as linebackers in the 2013 class and becomes the 17th commitment in the class.
Anzalone's announcement was televised on ESPNU during its broadcast of The Opening shortly after 8:35 p.m. EDT.
Two visits to Notre Dame this spring helped Anzalone decide on the Irish. A number of commits have befriended Anzalone throughout the recruiting process, including tight end Mike Heuerman and cornerback Devin Butler. Butler and Anzalone were roommates this weekend at The Opening.
The recruiting process for Anzalone has been a little tumultuous. He previously committed to Ohio State on April 21 following the Buckeyes' spring game, but decommitted in early May after news broke that a registered sex offender had been contacting players and recruits connected with the Ohio State program. A photo of the sex offender with Anzalone and Heuerman appeared online.
247Sports.com ranks the 6-foot-3, 230-pound Anzalone as the No. 4 outside linebacker and the 43rd-best prospect in the class of 2013. Rivals.com ranks him as the No. 7 outside linebacker and 49th overall.
Staff writer Tyler James:
tjames1@sbtinfo.com
574-235-6214
Wyomissing, Pa., linebacker Alex Anzalone became the fourth when he announced his verbal commitment to the Irish on Sunday night at Nike's The Opening camp in Beaverton, Ore. Anzalone chose Notre Dame over Penn State and Florida.
Anzalone joins Jaylon Smith, Danny Mattingly and Michael Deeb as linebackers in the 2013 class and becomes the 17th commitment in the class.
Anzalone's announcement was televised on ESPNU during its broadcast of The Opening shortly after 8:35 p.m. EDT.
Two visits to Notre Dame this spring helped Anzalone decide on the Irish. A number of commits have befriended Anzalone throughout the recruiting process, including tight end Mike Heuerman and cornerback Devin Butler. Butler and Anzalone were roommates this weekend at The Opening.
The recruiting process for Anzalone has been a little tumultuous. He previously committed to Ohio State on April 21 following the Buckeyes' spring game, but decommitted in early May after news broke that a registered sex offender had been contacting players and recruits connected with the Ohio State program. A photo of the sex offender with Anzalone and Heuerman appeared online.
247Sports.com ranks the 6-foot-3, 230-pound Anzalone as the No. 4 outside linebacker and the 43rd-best prospect in the class of 2013. Rivals.com ranks him as the No. 7 outside linebacker and 49th overall.
Staff writer Tyler James:
tjames1@sbtinfo.com
574-235-6214
