Schools haven't given up on Notre Dame commit Derrik Allen

CORNELIUS, N.C. — Less than two weeks after signing a top 15 recruiting class for 2017, Notre Dame picked up a big 2018 commitment in Derrik Allen. On February 13, the 6-foot-1, 204 pound safety out of Marietta (Ga.) Lassiter committed to the Irish over two dozen other schools including Clemson, Georgia and Ohio State.

It was the combination of academics and athletics Notre Dame offered that won Allen over.

"The academics they offer, how they can set me up for life and the defense they run really makes me feel like Notre Dame is the right school for me," said Allen. "I know I can get a good degree and I feel I can play anywhere in the secondary in their defense.

"It is hard to describe — I really cannot describe the feeling I have about Notre Dame. I just know it is the school for me."

Now that the No. 40 prospect in the country has been committed for two and half months, it has sunken in that he is going to be calling South Bend (Ind.) home in 2018. The commitment made big noise in the recruiting world for days, but Allen is not into all that attention. He is just building on his relationship with the Irish coaches and going about his business now.

"There has not really been anything change for me since I committed. Schools like Auburn, Michigan, Georgia and Ohio State are still recruiting me, but it is all about Notre Dame for me. I just keep in constant communication with them, keep working out to get better and just preparing for my senior season.

"I talk with coach [Mike] Elko (defensive coordinator) every couple of days and then I talk with coach [Brian] Kelly (head coach) sometimes too. When we talk, it is a mix of football talk, how life is going and things like that. It is really casual and I have a good relationship with those guys.

"I look forward to getting back up there this summer to spend more time with the coaches and learn more about what I can do in their defense."

Many college football fans have a visit to Notre Dame on their bucket list. Allen knows why. He has now visited there a handful of times and it has a different feel to it now than it did at first.

"It definitely has that magical feel to it the first few times you are on campus, but after I was there the third or fourth time, it just felt like home. It is a comfortable feeling there for me is it has that laid-back feel which fits me because that is my personality."

As Allen mentioned before, quite a few schools are working hard to get back in this race, but at this time, they may be wasting their time. He seems set on the Irish.

"I do not plan to look anywhere else right now," said Allen. "My mind is made up and I am all set. I have no reason to visit anywhere else right now."

Allen was named Defensive Back MVP and he earned an invite to the 5-Star Challenge Sunday at the Rivals 3 Stripe Camp in Charlotte (N.C.).