Pick Of The Irish

Notre Dame added two big commitments today when Chris Stewart, a four-star offensive lineman from Klein, Texas, and Richard Jackson, a three-star wide receiver from Clermont, Fla. both announced their decision today.

"The biggest thing was life after football, I just really thought about what life would be like after my college choice, so the college of my choice is the University of Notre Dame," Stewart said as he was announced as a member of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl class of 2006.

"Primarily one of the things I was looking at was te school itself," Stewart said. "I wanted to go to a school with great academics and great football tradition. Also, I wanted to go somewhere that had good coaches and could be a father figure for the players, and I wanted to be a part of something special rather than just a football team."

Jackson bought into the tradition at Notre Dame as well, admitting that the Charlie Weis offense is something that makes him feel comfortable.

"Being a receiver, I thought Notre Dame would give me the best opportunity to show what I can do with the ball. Notre Dame definitely puts the ball in the air," Jackson told Jeff Baumhower of IrishEyes.

“Coach Weis said he likes to get the ball to his playmakers. If that calls for him to throw the ball 60 times a game, he’ll throw the ball 60 times,” Jackson added.

The commitment of Jackson and Brown give the Irish twenty-two pledges for the year and just adds to a class that was already number three in the nation.

The Irish also have commitments from seven of the announced U.S. Army All-Americans in Stewart, Darrin Walls, Raeshon McNeil, Demetrius Jones, Bartley Webb, James Aldridge, and Zach Frazer.