Rivals100 Defensive End Robert Beal Decommits From Notre Dame

One of the nation's top juniors has backed off his commitment to Notre Dame.

Norcross (Ga.) High four-star 2017 defensive end Robert Beal decommitted from the Irish on Thursday just three months after giving a pledge to the program.

The news comes two weeks after Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly addressed the media on National Signing Day about the lack of decommitments in the 2016 recruiting class.

"I think first and foremost, we had a unified staff, a clear message," Kelly said when asked about how the Irish were able to avoid losing any prospects down the stretch. "We vetted out better than we ever have because we were further out on our recruits in terms of time. We had more time with them to make sure that they were kids that would fit here at Notre Dame."

Beal, who is ranked by Rivals.com as the No. 2 weakside defensive end in the country, has been described by many as a "fit" in South Bend, but rumors began to circulate last month in Orlando at the Under Armour Future 50 that he was starting to look at other schools.

"I'm a strong commit to Notre Dame still, but I'm keeping my options open," Beal told Blue & Gold Illustrated.

The 6-3, 217-pound defensive end becomes the first public decommitment for the Irish since Texas safety Prentice McKinney back in January of 2015.

Notre Dame still holds commitments in the 2017 class from Rivals100 tight end Brock Wright, Rivals100 offensive tackle Joshua Lugg, Rivals250 tight end Cole Kmet and three-star offensive guard Dillan Gibbons.

Beal visited Georgia Tech this past weekend. He'll be at Florida State this weekend.