Signing Day Spotlight: Caleb Kelly

Five-star linebacker Caleb Kelly has narrowed his choices to three schools, taken his visits, done his research and the only thing that’s left is for him to make his decision.

The Fresno (Calif.) Clovis West standout, who’s rated as the third-best outside linebacker in this class, seems to have Oklahoma and Notre Dame most in his sights but the pull of staying closer to home and playing in the Pac-12 is interesting in these final days as well.

The Sooners’ coaching staff has done a phenomenal job in the Fresno area in recent years, so will Kelly follow that same path? Or was his visit to Notre Dame enough to send him to South Bend? Oregon is making a late push, too, and certainly cannot be counted out.

Here is an opinion from a reporter who covers each of his three finalists in the closing days before National Signing Day:

"Oklahoma has long been the suspected leader by those around recruiting and it's been my impression that there was confidence from the Sooners in their chances until the past few weeks. Notre Dame has put a real sense of doubt around this entire decision, though I think with the Sooners having the last word with a Thursday night in-home there is a feeling they might be able to close the door. However, it's just my feeling that the Irish have truly turned this into a coin flip scenario." – Josh McCuistion, SoonerScoop.com

“Fresno hasn’t been kind to the Irish over the years, but out of all the prospects that Notre Dame has chased in the area, Kelly might be the one that sees the big picture in South Bend. The Irish – for months – looked like they trailed Oklahoma, but the in-home visit season has given Brian Kelly and his staff some momentum. Will that be enough to sway Kelly when it’s time to put pen to paper? Recent history suggests no, but the Irish have a need a linebacker and offer a different package than Oklahoma. It’s close, but it looks like the Sooners will have the edge in the end.” – Andrew Ivins, BlueandGold.com

“The Oregon coaching staff certainly feels they have a chance with Kelly as evidenced by their continued visits during the contact period. The Ducks are looking to add at least one more linebacker to their Class of 2016 and Kelly would be their first choice. After having spoken to him several times this month at the Army Bowl in San Antonio I got the impression that perhaps Oklahoma leads but that neither the Ducks nor Irish were out of the running. Kelly is one of those recruits where I feel he could potentially go to any of his three finalists and I would not be that surprised.” – A.J. Jacobson, DuckSportsAuthority.com