Cincinnati TE commits to Notre Dame for 2010

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Cincinnati high school tight end Alex Welch has announced he plans to play for Notre Dame in 2010.

The 6-foot-5, 230-pound Welch announced his decision Monday, becoming the fourth high school player to announce decisions to sign with the Fighting Irish for that season. Welch attends Elder High School, the same school as Irish tight end Kyle Rudolph, who started as a freshman this past season.

Welch also is a nephew of former Notre Dame linebacker Steve Heimkreiter.

CBS College Sports Network analyst Tom Lemming rates Welsh as a four-star prospect. He averaged 15 yards on his 32 receptions last year, catching four touchdowns.

He visited Notre Dame on Thursday, then Ohio State on Friday.

National signing day is Feb. 3.