A late full-court press by Stanford in its recruitment of Blake Lueders paid off. Lueders' father, Dan Lueders, verified Sunday night that his son, Blake, has changed his commitment from Notre Dame to Stanford.

Lueders, a 6-foot-5, 250-pound defensive end prospect from Zionsville, Ind., considered a four-star recruit, had been committed to the Irish since June.

There were "multifactors," in the decision, Dan Lueders said. "There is no simple answer."

Blake Lueders was unavailable for comment.

Tom Lemming, CBS recruiting analyst, called the loss a "major blow" for the Irish.

"He just had (Stanford coaches) Brian Polian and Randy Hart in his house (Sunday)," Lemming said. "Along with Jim Harbaugh they were coming (Sunday)."

Polian and Hart were on Notre Dame's staff under Charlie Weis this past season. Polian, the special team's coordinator, had just completed his fifth season with the Irish when Weis was fired. Hart had been the defensive line coach for the Irish this past season only.

"Obviously, they weren't doing Notre Dame any favors," Lemming said.

Lueders was projected at linebacker early on, but Lemming said, defensive end appeared to be his future at the college level now.

"He looked very good (in the Army All-American Game in early January)," Lemming said. "And Notre Dame needs a lot of help along the defensive line. So it's a major blow."

But not necessarily a big surprise.

"It's what you expect when there is a coaching change," he said. "These guys have not been recruiting them for more than a couple weeks so it's not the staff's fault. It's just what happens when there is a coaching change. You are going to lose some guys. They are trying to corral all the top guys, but him and Chris Martin are arguably the two best defensive guys they have. Especially along their weakest spot, which is defensive line."

Martin had been committed to the Irish since February, but decommitted when Weis was fired and later committed to Cal.

Lueders' loss leaves the Irish with 18 players for the recruiting class of 2010.

Notre Dame and Stanford have been in a bit of a tug of war throughout the recruiting season with the Irish outdueling the Cardinal for wide receiver Tai-ler Jones, safety Chris Badger and offensive lineman Tate Nichols away from the Cardinal.

Jones and Badger are already enrolled at Notre Dame for the winter semester.

National signing day is Feb. 3.

Staff writer Jim Meenan: jmeenan@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6342