SOUTH BEND (AP) — Notre Dame took its first step in putting last season's dismal 3-9 finish behind it by signing what some analysts say was its best recruiting class in at least a decade.

"This is a return to the days of Lou Holtz," said Allen Wallace, the national recruiting editor for Scout.com and publisher of SuperPrep magazine.

Wallace and Bobby Burton, Rivals.com recruiting analyst, both rated Notre Dame's recruiting class as No. 2 in the nation. It marked the third straight year the Irish were generally ranked in the top 10 after finishing out of the top 20 the previous two years.

"I think our program needed this boost," coach Charlie Weis said Wednesday. "I think this is a significant boost — the right type of players, the right type of kids and the right type of day. This is the type of day where everyone has to feel good, saying, 'What a good day.'"

Notre Dame fans haven't thought that since an embarrassing 33-3 loss to Georgia Tech to open the season.

The best part was that instead of losing players on signing day, like they did last season when two players who had verbally committed unexpectedly signed elsewhere, the Irish added a player who previously committed elsewhere.

Defensive end Kapron Lewis-Moore of Weatherford, Texas, who had committed to Texas A&M, signed Wednesday with Notre Dame. He was one of five defensive lineman to sign with the Irish, helping fill one of their biggest needs.

"The thing I'm most impressed with, and what Notre Dame fans should be happiest about, is how much they've addressed the defensive front seven," Burton said. "I think there's no question that that's something if they want to compete with the elites of college football they had to improve. They brought in the types of guys who can help them do that."

The class of 23 players includes four Parade All-America selections: quarterback Dayne Crist, linebacker Steve Filer, wide receiver Michael Floyd and running back Jonas Gray.

Other highly rated players include tight end Kyle Rudolph, linebacker Darius Fleming, offensive lineman Trevor Robinson, defensive lineman Ethan Johnson, wide receiver Deion Walker, defensive lineman Sean Cwynar, defensive back Robert Blanton and offensive lineman Lane Clelland.

"The class stands out for its balance," Wallace said. "They got superior athletes at every position."

Weis said the most important thing for the Irish is they filled spots where they have their biggest needs, specifically pointing to signing five defensive linemen, four linebackers and versatile defensive backs. He also said getting tight ends and wide receivers who can compete for playing time immediately was important.

"That was the most significant part, to not only bring in good players, but to fill a bunch of holes," Weis said.

He said signing Crist at quarterback was important, as was signing Gray at running back, adding depth at key positions.

Most players committed to Notre Dame before the Irish lost a school-record nine games last season. Weis didn't mention the player by name, but said he was pleased that only one player who had verbally committed to the Irish had changed his mind.

The player Weis didn't mention was defensive tackle Omar Hunter, a highly rated recruit out of Buford, Ga., who announced a month ago he had changed his mind. He signed Wednesday with Florida.

Weis said he was impressed that the other players stay committed despite hearing a lot of criticism from others.

"I give them all the credit in the world. From coast to coast, these guys are getting hammered by their peers and school, by their communities, by staffs across the country, and they held tough," he said.