GRAND BLANC -- It wasn't exactly a well-kept secret, but Justice Hayes nonetheless put an official end to months of speculation about his collegiate football plans Friday morning at Grand Blanc High School.

The personable senior thanked a multitude of people who have helped put him in the position of being recruited by many of the country's elite college football programs.  With his list whittled down from nearly two dozen schools to just six - Michigan, Michigan State, Tennessee, Notre Dame, Iowa and Northwestern - Hayes punctuated his announcement by donning the cap of the school of his choice.

Touchdown Jesus, here he comes.  Notre Dame won the sweepstakes for the coveted all-purpose tailback.

Citing his desire for a school where he could gain a strong education, Hayes said Notre Dame offered him everything he was looking for from both athletic and academic perspectives.  First-year head coach Brian Kelly also made a strong pitch - from one Michigan man to another - and the chance to be part of Kelly's inaugural recruiting class as a new chapter of Fighting Irish football begins was another enticing factor.

"We talked about this a little bit before I even committed, he said, 'Justice I really want you man,' said Hayes. "'You're a Michigan guy...I'm from Michigan, I coached in the state of Michigan and it would be special to get you as my first (running back) for my first class. I'm looking for big things out of you this year,' and he told me to just keep up the good work. Two, three months later I ended up committing."

In this three-year varsity career for the Bobcats, Hayes has rushed for 2,410 yards on 337 carries (an average of 7.2 yards per carry) with 20 touchdowns.  He also has 41 receptions for 448 yards and four touchdowns.