22 + 2 = # 1

The late push for recruits is down to its final days, as many schools, including the Irish, anticipate 11th hour visits this weekend. Two in particular, Keith Wells, the 6-5, 211 pound defensive end from Gainesville, Georgia, and speedster, Milton Knox of Lake Balboa, California, have made arrangements to visit South Bend this weekend. Wells' visit is still pending because a decision might be made as early as tomorrow; but I still feel that he will be in South Bend on Saturday.

According to Rivals, getting Wells to visit the Irish is a huge step.

Notre Dame has a long way to go with Keith Wells, but getting the three-star defender to schedule an official visit is a start. The Irish got that done. Now it's a matter of overtaking Tennessee and Ohio State.[

Coaching visits by all three staffs has already taken place this week, as Wells' makes one of his biggest decisions of his life so far. The Irish will definitely be in the mix to the end, but I have a gut feeling that he will end up staying close to home and being a Volunteer. Hopefully my gut is wrong and Charlie and Co. lure Wells to South Bend. Even though he is a three-star recruit, Wells has five-star potential. He has only played organized football for only a few years, but has wreaked havoc on opposing offenses. Wells reminds me of a Justin Tuck. Let's keep our fingers crossed we can secure him to the Irish.

Out of the two recruits, Milton Knox is the most likely to be Irish. According to ESPN's recruiting briefs:

Running back Milton Knox to visit the Fighting Irish

UCLA recruit Milton Knox is slated to travel to South Bend, Ind. this week for an official visit with Notre Dame, the Los Angeles Daily News reports. Irish quarterback pledge Dayne Crist (Canoga Park, Calif./Notre Dame Sherman Oaks) is one of Knox's childhood friends. He said, "Am I recruiting Milton Knox? You'd be crazy to think I'm not. But this really goes past recruiting because he is one of my best friends."

Knox currently is a silent verbal to the Bruins, but word on the street is that he is did not get a good first impression of new UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel. With the recent articles coming out about Neuheisel's past at Colorado and Washington, I sure wouldn't want my kid playing under him.

Hopefully friendship will trump proximity! So whatever happens these next few days, the Irish still will have a solid recruiting class. With these additions, it could solidify a #1 recruiting class. Even one of the two might push it over the edge. If not, it will be a wait and see come Wednesday.

Here's to our 22 future Irish, with hopes of two more. The bag is not full yet Keith and Milton, so jump on board to what will be a reawakening of a national power!