Prosise Becomes No. 8 For 2012

Notre Dame has added its eighth verbal commitment of the 2012 recruiting class and it comes at an important area of need - safety.

"I committed," Woodberry Forest (Va.) High player C.J. Prosise confirmed with BlueandGold.com on Thursday night. "I called (quarterbacks coach Charley) Molnar and let him know that I want to go to Notre Dame."

While the decision itself came a bit unexpected, Prosise recently told us that the program moved to the top of his list shortly after offering.

"My interest level in them is definitely high just because it's such a good program and a good school," the 6-2, 190 pounder shared with recruiting writer Will Biggers ealier this week. "They're definitely one of my top schools and are actually at the top of the list."

Within the last 24 hours Prosise reported to 247Sports that he wanted to take visits to Duke, Maryland and Notre Dame before making a college decision, but as he opened his eyes this morning he had a different plan in mind.

"It kind of just happened," he said about making a commitment. "I woke up and felt like it was what I wanted to do. I've been thinking about it all week so I decided to go ahead and commit."

Prosise has stressed the importance of academics in making a decision, and Notre Dame had just what he was looking for.

"No schools compare to them academically or athletically," he said. "It's the kind of school that I can find success both on and off the field and I know it's the right place for me."

Prosise, who is ranked by 247Sports as a three-star recruit, compiled 42 tackles and seven interceptions as a junior, earning him first-team all-state honors. In addition to Duke, Maryland and Notre Dame, he also held offers from Penn State, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest.

The Virginia native has yet to travel to South Bend, but he said he's set to take a campus visit on June 4.

Prosise is the second safety commit for the Irish and the No. 8 verbal overall. The other safety is Nicky Baratti of Spring Texas, and he noted that the coaches were looking for one or two more at his position after giving his pledge before the Blue-Gold Game on April 16.

The Irish also have two cornerbacks committed in Tee Shepard of Fresno, Calif., and Ronald Darby of Oxon Hill, Md.

Link to C.J. Prosise's highlight video