Jan. 13, 2016

Five football student-athletes — linebacker/defensive lineman Daelin Hayes, defensive lineman Khalid Kareem, defensive back Spencer Perry, wide receiver Kevin Stepherson and defensive back Devin Studstill — have signed scholarship agreements with the University of Notre Dame and began taking classes at the University Tuesday (Jan. 12).

The five additions represent three states-two from Florida, two from Michigan and one from Georgia. As listed by group, Notre Dame adds three skill players and two power players. As listed by position, Notre Dame adds two defensive backs, one linebacker, one defensive lineman and one wide receiver.

All five players will participate in Notre Dame’s spring football practices that begin March 16 and end with the Blue-Gold Spring Game on April 16 at Notre Dame Stadium.

Among the five players are:

• One who was selected for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio: LB Hayes
• One who was selected for the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl in Carson, California: DL Kareem
• Two members of the ESPN 300: Kareem (135th), Hayes (230th)
• One member of the Rivals.com 250: Hayes (21st)
• Two members of the Scout.com Top 300: Hayes (223rd), Kareem (282nd)
• Two members of the 247Sports Top 247: Hayes (107th), Kareem (179th)

Daelin Hayes
6-3, 239
Linebacker/Defensive Lineman
Belleville, Michigan (Skyline High School)

Suffered a separated shoulder and missed the majority of his senior season at Skyline High School … ranked as the No. 2 player in Michigan in the preseason by The Detroit News … ranked 223rd player nationally and 14th outside linebacker on Scout.com 300 list … ranked 230th player in the nation and 12th athlete on ESPN 300 list … ranked 107th player in the nation and 10th outside linebacker on 247Sports.com Top 247 … ranked 21st player in the nation and seventh linebacker on Rivals.com 250 list … selected to participate in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas (did not play due to injury) … enrolled at Notre Dame, began classes in January 2016 and will participate in 2016 spring drills with the Irish … played for coach Chanterius Brock.

Khalid Kareem
6-3.25, 245
Defensive Line
Pontiac, Michigan (Harrison High School)

Named 2015 MLive Detroit Defensive Player of the Year … selected to the 2015 Detroit News All-State Dream Team … named first-team all-state by the Associated Press in 2015 … collected 56 tackles and 36 stops for loss, including 16 sacks, and added five forced fumbles and four pass breakups as a senior in 2015 for Harrison High School in Farmington, Michigan … registered 85 tackles and 18 sacks as a junior in 2014 … ranked 282nd player nationally and 35th defensive end on Scout.com 300 list … ranked 135th player in the nation and 18th defensive end on ESPN 300 list … ranked 179th player in the nation and ninth strongside defensive end on 247Sports.com Top 247 … ranked 18th strongside defensive end by Rivals.com … named Most Valuable Player in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl in Carson, California … returned a fumble 14 yards for a touchdown and returned another fumble 78 yards as the East beat the West 28-13 … enrolled at Notre Dame, began classes in January 2016 and will participate in 2016 spring drills with the Irish … played for coach John Herrington.

Spencer Perry
6-1.5, 204
Defensive Back
Newnan, Georgia (IMG Academy)

Suffered a shoulder injury and missed the majority of his senior season at IMG Academy in 2015 … ranked 29th safety by Scout.com … ranked 31st safety by ESPN.com … ranked 49th safety by 247Sports.com … ranked 43rd defensive back by Rivals.com … prior to IMG Academy, played at Auburn High School in Auburn, Alabama, Newnan High School in Newnan, Georgia and The Heritage School in Newnan, Georgia … enrolled at Notre Dame, began classes in January 2016 and will participate in 2016 spring drills with the Irish … played for coach Kevin Wright.

Kevin Stepherson
5-11, 171
Wide Receiver
Jacksonville, Florida (First Coast High School)

Named honorable mention all-state by the Associated Press in 2015 … caught 48 passes for 835 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior in 2015 for First Coast High School in Jacksonville, Florida … registered 33 receptions for 756 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior in 2014 … ranked 127th wide receiver by Scout.com … ranked 96th wide receiver by ESPN.com … ranked 126th wide receiver by 247Sports.com … ranked 68th wide receiver by Rivals.com … enrolled at Notre Dame, began classes in January 2016 and will participate in 2016 spring drills with the Irish … played for coach Marty Lee.

Devin Studstill
5-11.5, 189
Defensive Back
Rivera Beach, Florida (Palm Beach Gardens High School)

Three-year starter at Palm Beach Gardens High School in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida … helped lead Palm Beach Gardens to a 7-4 record and district championship in 2015 … named second team all-state by the Associated Press in 2015 … ranked 93rd cornerback by Scout.com … ranked 55th safety by ESPN.com … ranked 12th safety by 247Sports.com … ranked 45th athlete by Rivals.com … enrolled at Notre Dame, began classes in January 2016 and will participate in 2016 spring drills with the Irish … played for coach Rob Freeman.