(Notre Dame Football Recruiting News) – The team may be struggling on the field, but Notre Dame recruiting just moved into the top 5 on both Rivals and Scout with the addition of  DaVaris Daniels, a big and dangerous wide receiver out of Illinois.  With Atkinson and Daniels, Kelly now has two big play-makers on the outside to stretch the field vertically, an area where Notre Dame has struggled this year.   A class which early in the season looked like it would be a borderline top 10 class, now looks like it could be a top 5 class with names like Huggins, Lyons, Williams and Richardson still on the board.   In addition to the wide receiver position, ND has done particularly well on the offensive and defensive lines with Tuitt and Lynch headlining the defensive recruiting efforts.

Hometown: Vernon Hills, IL | Vernon Hills High School

Height 6’3″ | Weight 190 lbs.

Scout: Covers a lot of ground quickly off the line of scrimmage if he’s not being pressed in coverage. Strong enough to get a good push on a receiver trying to press him. Runs good routes and presents a big target in space. Has good size and a surprising change of direction with a jab step move that sells a head and shoulder fake to get tacklers off balance. Has good size to block, but doesn’t show a propensity for it

ESPN: This kid is an impressive prospect on the hoof. Daniels is a playmaker that has spent time both at quarterback and wide receiver and displays excellent overall athleticism. His size/athletic ability/strength makes him a coveted offensive weapon especially in the red area. He is a raw, but smooth athlete.

Couple of takes from the local clippings:

“I don’t think people have seen anything yet,” Monken said. “I’ve coached for 25 years and I have never seen anything like it. He is so creative that even he doesn’t know what he does. He has great instincts for the game.”

DaVaris Daniels had played his part to a T, scoring three touchdowns and tossing for another. He averaged nearly 13 yards a carry in piling up 154 yards on the ground. Ohio State signee Evan Spencer had played a supporting role. He scored the first 12 points of on a 40-yard toss from Daniels. In fact, the next time he touched the ball on offense, Spencer bolted 53 yards for another score.

2012	Rank	Name	Ht/Wt
	ELIT	Kiel, Gunner	6'4" - 220
	ELIT	Neal, Davonte	5'9" - 175
	HIGH	Russell, KeiVarae	6'0" - 170
	HIGH	Baratti, Nick	6'2" - 190
	HIGH	Stanley, Ronnie	6'7" - 285
	HIGH	Day, Sheldon	6'2" - 285
	HIGH	Mahone, Will	5'10" - 205
	HIGH	Ferguson, Justin	6'2" - 200
	HIGH	Harrell, Mark	6'5" - 270
	MID	Daly, Scott	6'3" - 230
	MID	Okwara, Romeo	6'4" - 225
	MID	Prosise, CJ	6'2" - 205
	LOW	Turner, John	6'2" - 200
2011	Rank	Name	Ht/Wt
Bio	ELIT	Atkinson, George	6'2"-195
Bio	ELIT	Golson, Everett	6'0" - 185
Bio	ELIT	Koyack, Ben	6'5"-225
Bio	ELIT	Lynch, Aaron	6'5" - 250
Bio	ELIT	Tuitt, Stephon	6'5"-260
Bio	ELIT	Williams, Ishaq	6'6" - 240
Bio	HIGH	Hardy, Eiler	6'1"-175
Bio	HIGH	Hegarty, Matt	6'5"-265
Bio	HIGH	Grace, Jarrett	6'2"-230
Bio	HIGH	Councell, Ben	6'4"-225
Bio	HIGH	Brindza, Kyle	6'1"-190
Bio	HIGH	Daniels, Davaris	6'2" - 180
Bio	HIGH	Hounshell, Chase	6'6" - 260
Bio	HIGH	Niklas, Troy	6'6" - 245
Bio	MID	Rabasa, Anthony	6'3"-230
Bio	MID	Springmann, Tony	6'5"-270
Bio	MID	Atkinson, Josh	6'0"-180
Bio	MID	McDaniel, Cam	5'11" - 195
Bio	MID	Martin, NIck	6'5" - 260
Bio	MID	Hanratty, Conor	6'3"-290
Bio	MID	Carrico, Brad	6'4"-250
Bio	MID	Brown, Jalen	5'11"-175
Bio	MID	Farley, Matthias	6'1"-180