David Perkins is staying home.
The South Bend athlete (Washington High School) had included Notre Dame in his top five and despite claiming Syracuse as his leader even after picking up an offer from the Irish last week, it became clear over the weekend that Perkins would be selecting the Irish.
He said he knew Notre Dame was the place for him about 10 seconds after receiving the offer from Brian Kelly and made it official this morning, when he verbally committed at a press conference at Washington. He chose Notre Dame over the Orange, Tennessee, Michigan State and Mississippi State.
"I chose Notre Dame over Syracuse and Tennessee for the following clear reasons," Perkins said. "Notre Dame not only committed to me as an, but also in my development as a man, both academically and socially. Coach Kelly and his staff have proven to me that Notre Dame will provide me with more than a four-year commitment. Instead, Notre Dame offers me a 40-year plan for a successful life.
"I would like to thank the University of Notre Dame for this life-changing opportunity that they have affored me."
The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder saw the interest from Notre Dame pick up after the Irish’s Junior Day back in February. He stayed close to the program, attending multiple spring practices, before finally securing the offer last Thursday. Initially, Perkins said the Irish liked him as a running back, but it sounds like he’ll get his start at outside linebacker.
Perkins also had offers from Arizona, Cincinnati, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisville, Minnesota and Purdue. His high school coach, Antwon Jones, played defensive line from 1996-99.
Perkins is the 10th verbal commitment in Notre Dame’s 2012 class.
