Notre Dame closed the 2010 football season on a defensive tear.
And thanks to an early morning recruiting visit by defensive coordinator Bob Diaco on Friday, the Irish's defensive future looks just as bright.
Linebacker Ishaq Williams orally committed to Notre Dame after a 4:30 a.m. meeting with Diaco, according to multiple reports.
The 6-foot-6, 230-pound Brooklyn, N.Y., native is the No. 62 prospect in the nation, according to Rivals.com, and Williams' decision ended flirtations with Penn State and Syracuse.
"Everything else at Notre Dame just added up," Williams' father, Shaun, told IrishIllustarted.com. "It's really just what he was looking for. He really admires coach Diaco and really admires coach (Brian) Kelly. Coach Kelly is a proven winner and might just prove to be the next Joe Paterno, if he wants to coach that long.
"The whole idea of how confidently Coach Diaco talks about Notre Dame winning a national championship in the next few years, he just felt he had to buy in."
William's commitment was also reported by BlueandGold.com and irishsportsdaily.com.
Williams is the 21st oral commitment for Notre Dame's 2011 class, and the linebacker is the second top 100 prospect to commit to the Irish. Defensive end Stephon Tuitt, the 26th prospect in the nation according to rivals, is also part of this year's recruiting class.
Notre Dame finished this season on a four-game winning streak thanks to a dominating defensive effort.
The Irish gave up 39 points in their last four games as Utah, Army, USC and Miami averaged 9.8 points, 91.8 rushing yards, 184.8 passing yards and 276.5 total yards.
2011 commitments
Signing Day Feb. 2
George Atkinson, Ath., 6-2, 194, Granada, Livermore, Calif.
Josh Atkinson, CB, 6-0, 180, Granada, Livermore, Calif.
Kyle Brindza, K, 6-2, 195, Plymouth, Canton, Mich.
Jalen Brown, DB, 6-0, 173, Irving Macarthur, Irving, Texas
Brad Carrico, DE, 6-6, 255, Coffman, Dublin, Ohio
Ben Councell, DE, 6-5, 225, Reynolds, Asheville, N.C.
Davaris Daniels, WR, 6-3, 190,Vernon Hills, Vernon Hills, Ill.
Matthias Farley, Ath, 6-1, 185, Christian, Charlotte, N.C.
Everett Golson, QB, 6-0, 170, Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Jarrett Grace, LB, 6-4, 235, Colerain, Cincinnati
Connor Hanratty, OL, 6-4, 305, New Canaan, New Canaan, Conn.
Eilar Hardy, DB, 6-0, 170, Pickerington Central, Pickerington, Ohio
Matthew Hegarty, OL, 6-5, 265, Aztec, Aztec, N.M.
Ben Koyack, TE, 6-5, 230, Oil City, Oil City, Pa.
Nick Martin, OL, 6-5, 260, Bishop Chatard, Indianapolis
Cam McDaniel, RB, 5-11, 192, Coppell, Coppell, Texas
Anthony Rabasa, DE, 6-2, 220, Columbus, Miami
Tony Springmann, DE, 6-6, 257, Bishop Dwenger
Stephon Tuitt, DE, 6-5, 260, Monroe Area, Monroe, Ga.
Ishaq Williams, DE, 6-6, 230, Abraham Lincoln, Brooklyn, N.Y.
