For the past four months, Ann Arbor (Mich.) Skyline five-star linebacker Daelin Hayes has done everything in his power to show that he's solid on his commitment to USC. But this past week his tune changed, and Thursday, he finally went on record and admitted that he plans to take an official visit Notre Dame.
While the news might come as a surprise to many who aren't embedded in the everyday recruiting scene, there are actually multiple reasons why Hayes is giving the Irish a second look, and the biggest one has to do with what's going on at USC.
"There are some recent events that are a few areas of concern," Hayes told Rivals.com's @Greg Ladky on Thursday. "But I'm still committed to USC."
Hayes didn't want to go into detail when asked about whats events that he was referencing, but he really didn't have to explain what he meant, because one doesn't have to look far to guess what he's talking about following the reports of Steve Sarkisian's behavior at a booster event last weekend.
While it's easy to point to the head coaches mishaps as a reason why Hayes is having second thoughts, we're told that Ricky Town's transfer out of USC might actually have a bigger impact on his recruitment.
A person close to Hayes – who we're told is like family to the linebacker – is Town's private quarterback coach, and that was one of the initial reasons why the linebacker gave a verbal commitment to play at USC.
But with Towns now at Arkansas, one of Hayes' strongest ties to the program is gone, and that has opened the door for Notre Dame.
It all might sound farfetched, but based on everything that we have been hearing the past week, Town's transfer was already working in favor for the Irish, and the Sarkisian situation has only helped the cause. It's now just up to Notre Dame to make a move for the flip, and an official visit will signify the first step in the process.
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Sticking with the theme of high-profile prospects, we're told that Savannah (Ga.) Christian five-star athlete Demetris Robertson is no longer a lock to take an official visit to Notre Dame next weekend, but that shouldn't be viewed as bad news.
Robertson's brother, Carlos Robertson, said Thursday, that they are still working out details for the trip, and that they will either visit for the Texas game on Sept. 5 or the Georgia Tech game on Sept. 19.
While the flights and dates are just a factor in the whole equation, what's notable about the visit, is that Carlos said Demetris' sister, Shanetris Robertson, will likely make the trip to South Bend, and she might be the golden ticket in this whole recruitment.
Demetris has floated out the idea that he wants to attend the same school as his sister, who has won state titles in track, and the family is looking for a school that will provide the opportunity for her to compete.
Notre Dame hasn't gone into detail with the Robertson's about a potential brother-sister package deal, but Carlos Robertson says it has been somewhat discussed.
"They know about it," he said.
Georgia and Stanford remain in the mix for the former Alabama commit.
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The Irish have more than just interest in Tampa (Fla.) Catholic five-star wide receiver Nate Craig-Myers, and that's why the nation's top ranked wideout will be on campus for the USC game, but just because he'll be in the stands, doesn't mean his half-brother, Florida four-star cornerback commit Jayvaughn Myers, will be with him.
The Irish like Myers, who recently moved inside the Rivals250, but there's still some work left on the table, and that has him still in the evaluation stage.
The good news however for Notre Dame, is that Nate Craig-Myers has made it clear that he isn't set on playing with Jayvaughn in college, which means there isn't some type of package deal in place.
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Palm Beach Gardens (Fla.) three-star safety Devin Studstill is one of the Irish's top targets this cycle, and we're told that his recruitment has been narrowed down to just two schools – Notre Dame and Miami.
According to a few different contacts in South Florida, Studstill would like to take an official visit to Notre Dame for the USC game on Oct. 17, but no plans have been set.
West Virginia – a school where Studstill's father played – had been linked to the safety since his sophomore season, but we're told they have fallen out of mix in favor of the Irish and the local Hurricanes. Studstill isn't the type of prospect that will name a leader, but you have to like where Notre Dame stands at this stage in the recruiting process.
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Notre Dame might have lost it's top junior quarterback target last week when Hunter Johnson committed to Tennessee, but just because one talented arm is off the board, doesn't mean that others won't surface.
Norcross (Ga.) Greater Atlanta Christian four-star quarterback Davis Mills is a prospect that is expected to get a look from the Irish over the next few weeks, and according to his father, there's some serious interest in the Irish. The family has ties to the Midwest and are open to a school like Notre Dame.
Mills holds early offers from Stanford, Michigan, N.C. State, UCLA and Missouri.
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The visitors list continues to grow for next weekend's Texas game, and based upon everything that we're hearing, the best bet to be an eventual Notre Dame commit is Memphis (Tenn.) Whitehaven four-star cornerback Donte' Vaughn.
Want another name to watch?
Keep an eye on Lancaster (Calif.) Paraclete four-star all-purpose back Melquise Stovall.
Stovall, who was at one time committed to USC, has had plenty of contact with the Irish coaching staff, and with Fontana (Calif.) Summit four-star wide receiver Damian Alloway planning to take some time to make a decision, there could be a leapfrog of sorts at the top of the board.
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