Thunder and lightning.

That's what Notre Dame hopes to have in its backfield over the next couple of years following a verbal commitment from Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Cardinal Gibbons three-star all-purpose back Deon McIntosh on Monday.

McIntosh, who became commit No. 18 for Notre Dame, joins Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy three-star running back Tony Jones as ball carriers in the class for the Irish.

The two are viewed as the perfect compliments to each other given their respective skill sets.

The 5-10, 175-pound McIntosh has the ability to get to the outside and use his explosive speed to beat a defense. Jones is seen as a more traditional back that can work between he tackles.

"They want to use him as a running back, in the slot, and make him someone that can do a little bit of everything," said Deon's father, Richard McIntosh. "That's exactly what he wants to do."

It also happens to be why the No. 14 all-purpose back in the country is now committed to Notre Dame.

McIntosh said that he gave a pledge to the Irish because he felt comfortable with the plan that running backs and South Florida native Autry Denson has for him and Jones in South Bend.

His father agreed.

"I know I'm putting him in good hands with Coach Denson," Richard McIntosh said. "When we went up there, they rolled out he red carpet for us, and we felt like family."

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McIntosh, who also held offers from Miami, West Virginia, Tennessee, Cincinnati, Penn State and Rutgers, was at one time considered a heavy lean to sign with the Hurricanes, given the fact that his brother — Richard McIntosh — inked with the local school last cycle, but Notre Dame was able to beat out the ACC school.

The McIntosh family visited Notre Dame Oct. 17 and left with high remarks for the program.

"We had a wonderful time there," Richard McIntosh said the day after the visit. "If it's up to me, that's where I would go."

McIntosh is the fifth prospect from Florida to pledge to the Irish this cycle. He joins Jones, four-star offensive guard Parker Boudreaux, three-star safety Spencer Perry and three-star wideout Kevin Stepherson.

The Irish had four coaches - including head coach Brian Kelly — out recruiting Florida during the program's bye week last month.

McIntosh was a Sun Sentinel Class 5A-4A-3A-2A first-team offense selection in Broward County last season. As a junior, he ran for 834 yards and 12 touchdowns, and caught 41 passes for 386 yards and two touchdowns.