'Stay tuned'

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly broke down the 22 players that had signed with the Irish at the start of his noon news conference for national signing day.

Kelly ended his breakdown with an important message about what is being projected as a top five recruiting class.

"We feel like there is still some work to be done," Kelly said. "The day is not over yet. Stay tuned."

Notre Dame was still waiting to receive running back Tarean Folston's letter of intent when Kelly spoke with the media. Folston visited Auburn late in the recruiting process, leading to speculation that he could change his commitment.

But Folston is expected to sign with Notre Dame at 2:30 p.m., according to reports.

The Irish are also still pursuing five-star defensive lineman Eddie Vanderdoes. The 6-foot-3, 310-pound California native is expected to announce his college decision at 8 p.m. today.

As for the players already in the fold, Kelly said each recruit took his time in deciding he wanted to play for Notre Dame.

"We eliminated confusion when we went back into the homes and all the coaches were talking and were clear with why (recruits) were coming to Notre Dame," said Kelly, who interviewed with the Philadelphia Eagles the day after the Irish lost to Alabama in the BCS championship game Jan. 7. "I would say that's the premise.

"These decisions were not based upon Notre Dame has a stadium that seats 81,000 and plays on TV. These decisions were made based upon our distinctions at Notre Dame, a faith-based education community and, obviously, the high academic standards. And now, their belief as well, not just my belief and my staff's belief, but their belief that Notre Dame can play for a championship.

"When you have both of those together, meaning a core for making your decision and having the belief that the football team is really going to play for championships, it's really going to keep them together."

For more on Notre Dame's 2013 recruiting class, visit Irish Insights later today or see Thursday's print edition of The Journal Gazette.

Signed players

Hunter Bivin, OL, 6-7, 288, Apollo, Owensboro, Ky.
Greg Bryant, RB, 5-11, 197, American Heritage School, Delray Beach, Fla.
Devin Butler, DB, 6-1, 185, Gonzaga, Washington D.C.
Michael Deeb, LB, 6-2, 237, American Heritage, Plantation, Fla.
Steve Elmer, OL, 6-6, 305, Midland, Midland, Mich.
Will Fuller, WR, 6-0, 170, Roman Catholic, Philadelphia
Mike Heuerman, TE, 6-4, 215, Barron Collier, Naples, Fla.
Torii Hunter Jr., WR, 6-1, 175, Prosper, Prosper, Texas
Rashad Kinlaw, ATH, 6-1, 185, Absegami, Galloway, N.J.
Cole Luke, CB, 6-0, 165, Hamilton, Chandler, Ariz.
Jacob Matuska, TE, 6-5, 240, Bishop Hartley, Columbus, Ohio
Mike McGlinchey, OL, 6-9, 280, William Penn Charter School, Philadelphia
Colin McGovern, OL, 6-6, 292, Lincoln-Way West, New Lenox, Ill.
John Montelus, OL, 6-5, 293, Everett, Everett, Mass.
James Onwualu, ATH, 6-1, 205, Cretin-Derham Hall, St. Paul, Minn.
Doug Randolph, LB, 6-3, 237, Woodberry Forest, Richmond, Va.
Max Redfield, S, 6-2, 195, Mission Viejo, Mission Viejo, Calif.
Corey Robinson, WR, 6-4, 195, San Antonio Christian, San Antonio, Texas
Isaac Roschell, DE, 6-5, 260, Eagle's Landing Christian, McDonough, Ga.
Jaylon Smith, LB, 6-3, 215, Bishop Luers, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Durham Smythe, TE, 6-6, 230, Belton, Belton, Texas
Malik Zaire, QB, 6-1, 190, Archbishop Alter, Kettering, Ohio