Just three days after his visit to Notre Dame for the spring game, future U.S. Under Armour All-American tight end Ben Koyack (Oil City, Pa./Oil City) pulled the trigger and verbally committed to be part of the Irish program.  

“Did it earlier today,” the 6-foot-5, 230-pound ESPN 150 Watch List prospect wrote in a text message to Irish Sports Daily. Koyack becomes the eighth player to join Notre Dame's recruiting class-of-2011, and fourth player from over the weekend to do so. Linebacker Jarrett Grace (Cincinnati, Ohio/Colerain), defensive lineman Tony Springmann (Fort Wayne, Ind./Bishop Dwenger) and offensive tackle Conor Hanratty (New Canaan, Conn./New Canaan), all gave their pledge while they were in South Bend on Saturday.

Koyack chose Notre Dame over his other finalist Ohio State. The blue-chip talent also held scholarship offers from the likes of Penn State, Oklahoma, USC, Pittsburgh, West Virginia and Virginia Tech.

"After going this weekend, it just felt right," Koyack said. "Waiting a few days made me realize it even more."

As a junior, Koyack played in just seven games because of an injury, and still caught 35 passes for 743 yards and six touchdowns. The season before he had 48 catches for 800 yards and 10 scores.

"With Ben Koyack, you’re talking a guy with size and unbelievable coordination,” Oil City head coach Matt LaVerde said. “He started at shortstop at 6-5, 230-pounds as a freshman. Not too many kids start at shortstop as a freshman, and not too many people play shortstop at 6-5 230-pounds.

“He has unbelievable good hands. I think what’s impressive is his speed, agility and coordination for his size. As a 14-year old freshman, you would’ve thought he was 18 years old.”