Utupo is Irish

Make that 10, with more to come.

Justin Utupo, a 6-2, 250 defensive end out of Lakewood, California, surprised Notre Dame fans Morning morning by verbally committing to the Irish after picking up a scholarship offer from Irish coach and recruiting coordinator Brian Polian.

With the committment, Utopo becomes the 10th prospect to pledge his football allegiance to the Irish in the 2010 class. He picked Notre Dame over scholarship offers from Arizona State, BYU, Colorado, Kansas State, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Oregon State, San Diego State, Utah, Washington, Washington State, SMU and others. He is listed as a three-star, according to Rivals.com

An interesting factor into Utupo's committment is his self-proclaimed unfamiliarity with Notre Dame. Like lots of young kids around the country, he grew up an Irish fan, but due to the fact he lives in California, he has trecked across country to South Bend. He will get his first opporturnity to see his new home on an official visit against Nevada, September 5.

Note*- Rivals.com Jeremy Crabree calls Utopo a "Heck of a steal out of one of the best programs in California."