BREAKING: Irish Part Ways With Hicks

After losing a defensive back commit earlier in the week, Notre Dame is down another.

A source close to the situation has confirmed the Irish have decided to part ways with 2017 California defensive back Elijah Hicks.

The source wouldn’t go into much detail on the decision, but this divorce seems to be Notre Dame’s call.

Hicks committed to the Irish back in October fresh off an official visit to South Bend. He did take an official visit to Michigan, which caused some concern for Irish fans, but remained committed. He then took a trip to Cal, but until Tuesday, it seemed likely Hicks would stick with Notre Dame.

Again, it’s not clear what precipitated Notre Dame’s decision “to move on,” and it’s also unclear where the Irish go from here at defensive back.

Safety Isaiah Robertson is set to enroll next week, but after Texas cornerback Paulson Adebo’s decommitment on Monday, Robertson represents the Irish’s only defensive back pledge.

The Irish are recruiting Oklahoma safety Evan Fields hard and are trying to get Louisville safety commit TreSean Smith to give them another look. Notre Dame made Washington athlete Connor Wedington's top five and he could certainly help at defensive back. The Irish are also trying to get Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Chris Miller up for an official visit this month.

But while they're players - or could be players - for each of those targets, the Irish aren't in a commanding lead for any of them.