11/29/2016 football Edit

Four-Star LB Pete Werner Backs Off Irish Pledge

Rivals rates Werner as the No. 3 prospect in Indiana and the No. 18 outside linebacker nationally. (Brandon Brown/The Wolverine)

Corey Bodden • InsideNDSports

Staff Writer

In a somewhat surprising turn of events, Indianapolis Cathedral 2017 linebacker Pete Werner has de-committed from Notre Dame.

The four-star linebacker took an unofficial visit to Ohio State this past weekend for their game against Michigan.

Werner is the second de-commitment for the Irish this fall along with Beaver Falls (Pa.) High four-star defensive end Donovan Jeter, who flipped his pledge to Michigan.

Werner joined Notre Dame’s 2017 class in March and had repeatedly said that he was 100 percent committed to the Irish, noting that their struggles on the field did not change that.

This is a surprising move given Werner’s past comments on the Irish and what has transpired this season. Notre Dame now has two linebacker commitments in the class with four-star Pittsburgh Central Catholic product David Adams and Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas three-star Drew White.

Werner’s decision could open up a spot for another linebacker to join the class assuming he does not re-commit down the line. Ohio State is the likely favorite for his services now.

Keeping the 2017 class intact as much as possible is the biggest priority for the Irish staff moving forward the next couple of months.

Notre Dame now has 17 commitments in the class with nine four-stars and eight three-stars. Losing Werner dropped the Irish from sixth in the team rankings to 10th.