With an ongoing transition to a 3-4 defense under Brian Kelly, Fort Wayne (Ind.) Bishop Luers outside linebacker Jaylon Smith is all but a must-get for Notre Dame.
The uber-athletic Smith is the highest rated player in the state as well as the best player at his position -- a position of need for the Irish. So when the No. 3 player in the Rivals100 committed in June, it was a checked box.
Then when Notre Dame flipped Wyomissing (Pa.) High four-star linebacker Alex Anzalone from Ohio State at The Opening a month later, it was a boon for the class.
And when the Irish raidied the Stanford commitment list for Richmond (Va.) Woodberry Forrest four-star linebacker Doug Randolph in early September, it became clear that the national power was making a major statement.
Smith, Anzalone, and Randolph lead an impressive corps of linebackers that also includes three-star Michael Deeb of Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage and two-way talent Danny Mattingly from Spokane (Wash.) Mead. That kind of talent gives Notre Dame the nation's best group of prospects at any one position.
"It is a home run, an absolute home run," Rivals.com national recruiting analyst Mike Farrell said. "The linebacker group this season isn't all that strong nationally, and for one team to land three of the best players in that group is huge.
"It is not only an impressive list of players, but it is at a position of tremendous need for Notre Dame. The team has lacked playmakers, with the exception of Manti Te'o, and has struggled some with the new defense; and this is a group that can come in immediately and make an impact."
Smith is a player that Farrell figures will step in and pay immediate dividends.
"He is incredible," Farrell said. "There are not enough positive things to say about what Jaylon can do on the field. He is fast, physical, smart, everything. He is a total package."
At 6-feet-3 and 212 pounds, Smith has been clocked at a 4.59 in the 40-yard dash and has a 33 inch vertical.
He has expectations to match his measurables.
"Most people that don't know Notre Dame, they refer to the glory days," Smith told IrishIllustrated.com. "They think all the Notre Dame people are always trying to refer to the glory days. It's really our challenge to get back there. I'm looking forward to it."
The anointing of this group as the best in the country is a reflection of tremendous work by the coaching staff which had five different coaches recruiting the players: Harry Hiestand was able to land Anzalone; Scott Booker was responsible for Randolph; Mike Elston concentrated on Smith; Tony Alford brought in Deeb; and Mike Denbrock had the ear of Mattingly