Glenbard West guard Watt commits to Notre Dame

An offensive guard rated as one of the nation's top linemen has announced he plans to play for Notre Dame starting in 2009.

Chris Watt, who will be a senior at Glenbard West High School in Glen Ellyn, announced his decision Sunday. The 6-foot-4, 285-pound Watt said he had visited the Notre Dame campus four times, but it was a trip a few weeks ago, when he was able to spend significant time with the players, that stood out.

"That's kind of the best tool for a program, its players," Watt said.

Watt picked the Irish over Ohio State, Northwestern and Illinois.

CSTV analyst Tom Lemming said Watt has great feet, good lateral movement, aggressiveness, toughness, long arms and quick hands. "On film, he dominates," Lemming said.

Watt becomes the 12th player to commit to Notre Dame's recruiting class of 2009, a quarter of those pledges coming in the last week.

Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis isn't allowed to comment on recruits until national signing day Feb. 4.