Irish Grab Allen

HIALEAH, FL -- The high-profile recruitment of Armando Allen really began in full in January as Allen wowed the sepectators at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl combine showing he was one of the top prospects in the country. Today, that process came to a head with his decision.

"For the next four years I will be completing my education and playing for Notre Dame," an emotional Armando Allen said. "I would say that when I took my visit is when I felt like it was where I really fit in."

Allen hinted after his visit that Notre Dame had a great shot.

"Everything was really nice. I really enjoyed everything," Allen said of his weekend visit to the Notre Dame campus. "I really didn’t expect it to be like it was. I really liked the atmosphere. I liked the coaches. I talked to everybody on the team and overall it was a pretty good experience."

While many expected Florida to be the choice today, it was a visit from Charlie Weis yesterday at his school.

"It played a big role. He really came down to visit and talk with my mom. They got to talk about my future with the team and really they talked about everything."

Allen has many super qualities like good speed, quickness, power, and elusivness. But more than anything he has great balance and he uses his balance to press forward - gain more yardage, make people miss or run right through defenders. Allen has the ability to stay on his feet after taking a tough hit(s). He maintains his balance through traffic up the middle or in the open field. He has a good stiff arm and the ability to hit the home run.

Allen was also selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American today, however he does not expect to participate in the game.