Finish Line: Notre Dame

With college football's national signing day inching closer, college staffs are starting the stretch run to finish the 2013 cycle. In our latest “Finish Line” feature, 247Sports and BlueandGold.com take a look at what left for Notre Dame in the 2013 cycle, which is a class currently with 22 commitments and ranked No. 6 nationally by 247Sports.

Top247 running back Tarean Folston would be a tremendous pick-up for Notre Dame late in the 2013 cycle. Oregon appears to be the primary competition for the Irish.

Tarean Folston, RB, Cocoa (Fla.)


The 5-foot-9, 185-pound Folston has long been a top target of the Notre Dame staff. The Sunshine State back will make a visit to Oregon this weekend, and the Ducks appear to be the toughest competition facing the Fighting Irish.

BlueandGold.com’s Jason Sapp on Folston’s recruitment: “The recruiting efforts of Irish assistant Tony Alford has kept Notre Dame in the race for Folston since the dawn of his recruitment of the Irish and he has been the program’s top target as a slot receiver/running back hybrid throughout the process. In fact, despite Notre Dame having the chance to potentially add Corey Clement (Wisconsin commit) and Khalfani Muhammad to the fold in an effort to fill that role, the preference was to wait things out to see which direction he decides to go later in the process. Notre Dame had been his only official visit destination for some time, remaining fresh in his mind as the bar that was set, but he’ll head to Oregon this weekend on his second official for the game against Stanford. South Florida looked to be the primary in-state competition early on prior to scheduling Oregon visit, but the Irish remain in a strong position as he schedules other trips with plans to make a late choice.”

Laquon Treadwell, WR, Crete (Ill.) Crete-Monee


One of the top remaining uncommitted prospects in the class of 2013 is Midwest receiver Laquon Treadwell. The one time Michigan lock is now a complete toss up with the official visit process to come after the 2012 season, and as of today it’s looking more and more like an Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Michigan and Notre Dame battle with the Fighting Irish inching their way closer into an upset position.

Sapp on Treadwell’s recruitment: “Treadwell may have kept Notre Dame outside of his top five schools after paring down his list, but the Irish have never went away in his recruitment. Ever since a one-day trip he took to South Bend over the summer that allowed him to spend quality one-on-one time with the coaches he has had a clear interpretation of what it means to play for and gradate from Notre Dame, and a trip to local Soldier Field to witness Notre Dame romping Miami had the Irish surge in regards to his interest level again. He has remained in contact with Notre Dame and while he has yet to give a clear indication as of late of who the leader is, there’s still a chance that he gets back to campus for another visit as the sole wide receiver prospect that can jump at an Irish offer at this time.”

Alquadin Muhammad, DE, Ramsey (NJ) Don Bosco Prep

The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Top247 prospect has been on the campus of in-state Rutgers a number of times in recent months, but it looks like an uphill battle for the Scarlet Knights to keep the U.S. Army All-American at home. The team to beat remains Notre Dame, but Alabama and USC are somewhat in the mix as well.

Sapp on Muhammad’s recruitment: “For months Notre Dame has looked to be in a good spot for Muhammad, who was rumored to have given the coaching staff a silent commitment, but while he remains on the market – the Irish are still in the pole position at this point. He has flirted with the idea of taking official visits to Alabama and USC in addition to Notre Dame, which would all take place in the post-season following standard Don Bosco Prep tradition, but he also will fall in line with that trend as he plans on making his choice known at the 2013 U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio – similar to former teammate and Notre Dame freshman safety Elijah Shumate. The Notre Dame faithful are hopeful of the same result and at this point it still looks to be headed in that direction.”

Max Redfield, S, Mission Viejo (Calif.)


The former USC commitment now appears headed for a Notre Dame and Oregon battle with Notre Dame thought by many to be the favorite. The 6-foot-3, 195-pounder, who also visited Washington officially last weekend, continues to say he will make all five official visits before making a final decision

Sapp on Redfield’s recruitment: “Notre Dame has always remained among the top three programs for Redfield, even following his initial pledge to USC, and getting to campus for the Stanford game increased his interest level in the program. He left with Notre Dame leading the pack outside of his pledge to the Trojans, and officially going back on the market following a visit back to the Coliseum launched Notre Dame to the top of the list. While he’ll visit Oregon this weekend for the game against the Cardinal, a trip he has been wanting to take but couldn’t in the past due to his commitment to USC, the Irish still have the edge at this point at the program’s top target for a cornerback/safety hybrid. Following the visit, however, he should have a clear indication of which program leads at that point and considering the possibility of Chip Kelly leaving verses Brian Kelly’s clear intentions of staying, Notre Dame still has the momentum at this point.”