Notre Dame adds commitment from CB Tariq Bracy

The first commitment to come following Notre Dame’s big recruiting weekend didn’t come from one of its campus visitors.

Turns out cornerback Tariq Bracy was ready to end his recruitment from afar. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound senior at Milpitas (Calif.) High announced his commitment to the Irish late Sunday night.

☘️100% Committed ☘️ pic.twitter.com/VR9lbG3CgQ

— Tariq Bracy (@BracyTariq) December 11, 2017

Bracy’s only trip to Notre Dame came back in October on an official visit for the USC game. The Irish remained in touch and made a final push in the last two weeks. Defensive backs coach Todd Lyght and recruiting coordinator Brian Polian visited Tracy last week. Polian returned on Wednesday to emphasize his importance.

Bracy becomes verbal commitment No. 18 in Notre Dame’s 2018 class and joins three-star recruit Joe Wilkins Jr. at the cornerback position. Bracy chose the Irish over offers from San Diego State, Washington State, California, Utah and others.

247Sports slates Bracy as a four-star recruit and the No. 20 athlete, a designation for a recruit who can play multiple positions, in the 2018 class. Rivals rates him as three-star recruit and the No. 39 athlete.

As a senior, Bracy has tallied 146 rushes for 1,280 yards and 17 touchdowns and caught 12 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns. He's recorded 21 tackles and three interceptions on defense.

The Irish have struggled to hold on to cornerback commitments in the last year. In the 2017 class, the Irish loss commitments from Paulson Adebo and Elijah Hicks in January. As a result, the Irish went without a cornerback in the class.

In May, four-star cornerback Kalon Gervin ditched his three-month-long commitment to Notre Dame. Gervin committed to Michigan State earlier this month. The Irish could rectify a dire situation by signing Wilkins, Bracy and perhaps another cornerback in this class.

Notre Dame has continued to pursue Kyler Gordon, who is visiting this weekend, and Maryland commit Noah Boykin at cornerback. Both are four-star recruits. The Irish have also been recruiting defensive backs Houston Griffith and Julius Irvin — projected safeties with cornerback skills.

The Irish lost a commitment Saturday from three-star wide receiver Geordon Porter.

Below are highlights of Bracy from his junior season via Hudl.