Danny Spond, a four-star recruit who plays both quarterback and linebacker and projects potentially at several positions, has committed to Notre Dame.

"He’s ecstatic about it. He committed last night," said his Columbine High School coach Andy Lowry after talking to Spond earlier Monday. "He just loved it. He thought it was the greatest. He loved the coaches, he’s excited to go up there and play."

Spond, a high school quarterback who ran the option offense at the Littleton, Colo., school, told SI.com that he’s open to playing any position.

"Coach Kelly told me that I will be given a chance to play any position that I would like," Spond said in the SI.com article posted Monday. "At the same time, I will do what it takes for the better of the program wherever it is, and I trust in the coaches putting me wherever they feel is the best."

Spond chose the Irish over TCU, Stanford and Colorado. He had decommitted from Colorado this fall after committing there last spring.

Lowry said the commitment to ND did not catch him by surprise.

"He texted me over the weekend and said, ‘This place is awesome, I love it,’" Lowry said. "So it does not shock me."

Lowry said Spond could play just about any position but tackle or guard, noting he handled kickoffs, place-kicking and punting besides playing quarterback, linebacker and safety during his career at Columbine. He has even kicked a 63-yard field goal in practice and averaged about 43 yards per punt.

"He’s got a real strong leg," the coach said. "He’s a great player, a great kid. He’s the whole package.

"He was born and raised a Catholic. I am sure Notre Dame is a dream for any young Catholic. It’s part of who he is. He walks the walk."

Spond didn't receive his offer from Notre Dame until January 14, more than a month after Brian Kelly took over as head coach.

According to SI.com, the Columbine athlete said he knew almost immediately that the Irish were the right fit for him. He termed the offer "a dream" that he has had since he first began playing football as a youth.

Spond, who is 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, sports a 3.91 grade-point average. He also started the Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter at Columbine.

"Having the privilege to play for the University of Notre Dame is a true blessing from God," Spond said in the SI.com article. "I thank Him for the opportunity He has given me and the talent I have been blessed with. I can't wait for the upcoming years at Notre Dame."

Spond joins three other players who visited this past weekend who have committed. They include quarterback Luke Massa of Cincinnati St. Xavier, athlete Derek Roback of Waverly, Ohio and defensive end Bruce Heggie from Mount Dora, Fla.

That puts the Irish at 21 committed players for the recruiting class of 2010.

Other players the Irish remain involved with include offensive linemen Matt James, a teammate of Massa’s, and Seantrel Henderson, the Parade Magazine player of the year, from Cretin-Derham Hall in St. Paul, Minn., and safety Jeremy Ioane of Honolulu, Hawaii. Notre Dame is also involved with defensive end Kona Schwenke of Kuhuku, Hawaii.

National signing day is Wednesday.

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