As Junior Day approaches, Irish target new group of recruits

The ink is dry on the Class of 2011. And while fans are just getting to know the recruits that’ll torment them until next February’s signing day, the Irish coaching staff has already cast a wide net on a group of national targets.

On Signing Day 2010, Brian Kelly all but called his shot, talking about the need to infuse front seven players into a defense that needed size and speed, specifically at defensive end. If you’re looking for a hint at what the coach himself thinks the 2012 recruiting class needs to contain, here’s what Kelly said during his signing day comments:

“I think each year you evaluate what your needs are. I think we have to get some depth at the back end of our defense,” Kelly said. “We have to continue to build depth there. That’s absolutely crucial. I think if you look at the running back position, that’s one that stands out for us. We’re always going to take a quarterback. That’s always in the mix. And probably playmakers, you’re looking at playmakers on the offensive side of the ball as the criteria. Who is the guy that can potentially change the game on offense, and then from a depth position, we have to gain more depth in the back end of our defense.”

Taking aim at the back-end of the defense should definitely be priority No. 1 for the coaching staff, as last year’s lack of depth at safety and cornerback really limited what the Irish were able to do defensively, especially at the beginning of the year when Harrison Smith and Zeke Motta were the only two scholarship safeties available to play.

Even though the Irish brought in four quarterbacks over the last two seasons, they’ll likely be in the running for a few national targets as well, with Maty Mauk and Gunner Kiel two names that the Irish (and their fans) have already taken dead aim at.

With a Junior Day scheduled for next weekend, the Irish will be welcoming a new group of recruiting targets to campus, many for the first time, and it’ll likely be the kick-start to a recruiting class looking to get commitment No. 1 in the class of 2012.

Here are a dozen names you’ll likely be hearing a lot from during this recruiting cycle.

Maty Mauk, QB -- Kenton, Ohio: If you’re looking for a highlight tape, this one might be tough to beat.
Gunner Kiel, QB -- Columbus, Indiana: He’s an in-state kid with Irish bloodlines and elite national offers.
Keith Marshall, RB -- Raleigh, North Carolina: The Irish have had good luck pulling players out of the Carolinas and they’ll need it to reel in a guy like Marshall. (He’s fast.)
Barry Sanders, RB -- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: Yep, he’s that Barry Sanders’ son.
Dorial Green-Beckham, WR -- Springfield, Missouri: If there’s an elite wide receiver already at the top of national boards, it’s Green-Beckham, who fits the AJ Green mold.
Amara Darboh, WR -- Des Moines, Iowa: Participating in ND’s Junior Day this weekend, he’ll likely be the top player in Iowa this year.
Dwayne Stanford, WR -- Cincinnati, Ohio: Another big-bodied leaper, Stanford comes from an area Kelly and his staff have had success in.
Dan Voltz, OL -- Barrington, Illinois: Just adding offers from Auburn and Alabama, Voltz will be on campus this weekend.
Andrus Peat, OL -- Tempe, Arizona: Another national recruit, Peat is hoping to attend this weekend’s junior day as well, trading in Tempe for South Bend.
Arik Armstead, DL -- Elk Grove, CA: Even though he’s a USC commit, Irish fans should enjoy watching ND’s coaching staff take dead aim at the Trojans prized recruit.
Ronald Darby, DB -- Oxon Hill, Maryland: Darby ran the fastest 40 at the Under Armor Junior Combine, clocking a 4.31. He’s got the Irish in his top three.
Elijah Shumate, DB -- Ramsey, New Jersey: The Jersey native received his scholarship offer from Bob Diaco on Signing Day.

There are much better places to follow the ins-and-outs of Notre Dame recruiting (here, here, here and here) but this is my attempt to at least get some of the bigger names in the recruiting pond out there now, before we get swept into spring ball.