SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly wasn't about to quibble with recruiting experts who called the recruiting class he signed Wednesday his best.

"I love agreeing with experts," he joked.

Most recruiting services had the Irish ranked in the top five in the country. Kelly said the 23 players signed by the Irish show that Notre Dame has returned to elite status this past season, being ranked No. 1 for the first time in nearly 19 years and playing against Alabama in the BCS title game, which the Irish lost 42-14.