Theo 101 | by Pat

When it rains, it pours. Just last week Notre Dame was sitting with one publicly committed recruit for the Class of 2009. That number is now up to four with the recent commit by New Jersey running back Theo Riddick. Riddick visited ND the week before the Blue-Gold game and after another college trip, he decided to announce for the Irish at a school press conference.

"It was just a great experience" visiting Notre Dame, said Riddick, who led Immaculata to a 12-0 season and a state Non-Public Group III title in 2006 and a 11-1 season and a berth in the Non-Public Group III title game last season. "I blended straight in. That's when I knew I wanted to go there."

Riddick also credited academics as a big role in his decision making process.

"Academics were really important to me. Football was second. You can’t play football forever but my education will last forever."

At 5'11", 190 pounds, Riddick selected the Irish over 12 other college offers including Penn State, Pittsburgh, Boston College, and Virginia. After his junior season where he rushed for 1, 192 yards and 13 touchdowns while missing three games with an ankle injury, he was named 1st Team All-Conference and 2nd Team All-State. It was his second straight year listed as a 2nd Team All-State selection as he was on the list his sophomore year as well.

Rivals.com has the back listed as a 4-star recruit and the #142 overall recruit in the nation. Scout.com hasn't ranked him yet as they apparently are planning on unveiling a Top 750 list very soon. (Top 750? Yeesh.) BlueandGold.com has a great set of free highlights on Riddick and this Youtube clip of his final game from last year includes a few quick highlights of him taking short passes and turning them into long gains. He's #3 in the white jersey and the plays are back to back starting at the 0:53 mark.

Landing Riddick and Cierre Wood means that ND is likely done with running back recruiting for the year, although, like Wood, Riddick also plays defensive back. He plays free safety for his high school and doesn't appear to have a preference for where he plays in college.

"To be honest, it doesn't really matter to me," he said. "Whatever gets me on the field the fastest."

I'm no recruiting guru, but he looks great with the ball in his hands in those highlight clips and pairing him with Wood on the offensive side of the ball would be a excellent combo. Apparently Theo agrees and looks forward to playing with Cierre.

"I honestly believe I can compete with him. We'll be very, very lethal," said Riddick, who has pondered January enrollment but is leaning toward arriving in the fall with most of his classmates. "I think we should have fun. I'm very, very excited to meet him."