Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Pair of Michigan natives highlight Notre Dame's 2016 early enrollees

Published Jan. 14, 2016 11:30 a.m. ET

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Marcus Hartman

Notre Dame football announced Thursday a class of five early enrollees for 2016 that includes two highly rated prospects from the state of Michigan. 

The headliner of the group is Daelin Hayes, a linebacker from Ann Arbor (Mich.) Skyline, who is rated a five-star prospect by Rivals.com. 

Hayes originally committed to USC but re-opened his commitment after the Trojans' coaching change. He chose the Fighting Irish out of a final three that also included Ohio State and Michigan State. 

Hayes is joining a program that will be looking to replace starting linebackers Jaylon Smith and Joe Smith, the team's top two tacklers. Smith won the Butkus Award as the nation's best at his position. 

Notre Dame's 2016 early-enrolling group also includes four-star defensive lineman Khalid Kareem of Farmington (Mich.) Harrison High School, the MLive Detroit Defensive Player of the Year. He was also named the MVP of the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl earlier this month. 

Joining the highly regarded pair from the Wolverine State is a trio of three-star prospects: Georgia defensive back Spencer Perry, Florida receiver Kevin Stepherson and Florida defensive back Devin Studstill. 

The new recruits will get a jump on helping Notre Dame build on its 10-win 2015 season. 

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