The realization that he hadn't given Notre Dame much consideration while he was being recruited forced Timpview safety Chris Badger to call an audible.

After talking with the Fighting Irish during the spring evaluation period, Badger, along with his father and brother, then decided to take a trip to South Bend, Ind., to see the Notre Dame campus and football stadium. That's all it took for Badger to commit to play for the Fighting Irish last weekend.

"I was blown away by everything (at Notre Dame) — the atmosphere, the energy, the tradition," Badger said. "It's a beautiful campus. I had a great feeling about the school."

Badger, ranked in the ESPNU 150 and as one of the top safeties in the nation by other recruiting services, originally committed to play at Stanford. He felt bad telling Cardinal coach Jim Harbaugh he wouldn't be playing for him, but he had to do what he felt what was in his best interests.

"It came down to what I felt I'd be happiest about," Badger said.

Badger, a hard-hitting safety, will be just the fourth player in state history to suit up for the Fighting Irish. The others are Tooele High's George Melinkovich (1931-32, 34), West High's Dick Shulsen (1955, 56-58) and Pete Rokich (1984-86), who grew up in Magna.

Badger will also be a rare LDS player to suit up for the Fighting Irish. He will, however, be joining one of the top recruits of the 2009 class, Manti Te'o, as an LDS player wearing the Notre Dame blue and gold.

Badger said he plans on serving an LDS Church mission, but he hasn't decided on when yet. He will most likely play at least one season for the Irish and get the opportunity to suit up against the University of Utah in 2010.

"That'll be a fun game," Badger said. "I'll get a lot of family out for that one."

Badger said another reason for changing his commitment to Notre Dame is the direction the program is heading. The Fighting Irish picked up their first bowl win in 15 years last Christmas Eve with a convincing 49-21 win over Hawaii in the Hawaii Bowl.

Notre Dame returns quarterback Jimmy Clausen and has a favorable schedule in 2009 — which it hopes to take advantage of while Badger plays his senior season at Timpview.

"I think Notre Dame has always been on a national scale and will be a (national title) contender) again," Badger said. "I'm excited to be out there competing for Notre Dame, knocking heads off on NBC."

E-mail: aaragon@desnews.com