SOUTH BEND, Ind. - There was a perception building that Cierre Wood is somewhat of a quiet guy. That perception, according to the Notre Dame-bound running back, is not accurate.

"That's a lie," Wood quickly corrected. "I'm quiet when I want to be."

There may be times when Wood is loud, and there may be times when he's not so loud, but his numbers on the field speak volumes.

Wood is Notre Dame's most high-profile recruit in the class that will sign on Feb. 4. His name sticks out. He plays at a glamour position.

And he has posted gaudy high school numbers.

As a senior at Santa Clara High School in Oxnard, Calif., Wood ran for 1,622 yards and 20 touchdowns. The year prior, the 6-foot, 192-pounder averaged 14.7 yards per carry, rushing for 2,612 yards and 42 touchdowns.

Wood's "dip," if you want to call it that, no doubt came because his stellar junior season had placed a gigantic bullseye on his jersey.

But it also didn't help that Santa Clara moved up to a more powerful league. Included in that league is Oaks Christian School in Westlake Village, the same school that two years ago produced current Irish quarterback Jimmy Clausen, as well as a number of other high-profile players to major programs over the last few years. Oaks Christian was a big winner over Santa Clara this season, but Wood ran for more than 100 yards before his night ended with an injury.

"I knew he was a very fine football player, but he's actually a better football player after seeing him here than I actually thought he was," Oaks Christian coach Bill Redell said from San Antonio, where he was the head coach of Wood's West team at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

"Now I can see after watching him here for two or three days, the kid's outstanding. He certainly stands up with all these kids. ...His quickness, his speed, he's got good hands. He's a hard-working kid. He's definitely a big-time player."

Wood carried just twice for six yards in the game, but practices proved to him that he could stand up to the competition.

"It's a lot faster to me, but that's how I play and I have no problem adjusting to it," Wood said.

"I know I can perform against the high level of competition, so I'm not worried about that."

When Wood arrives at ND, the competition will include a senior in James Aldridge, and juniors Armando Allen and Robert Hughes, with sophomore Jonas Gray trying to nudge his way into the mix.

All three of the upperclassmen gained significant carries in 2008, but none was able to fully seize control of the job, and Wood could become an instant impact performer.

Already, he's proved that he can handle some of the verbal aspects of the game, specifically from future USC players.

"They talk their mess every day. They ask me the same question, 'Why did you choose Notre Dame?' I say, 'Man, don't worry about me. Why did you choose SC? Same reason.'" he said. "Just wait until I get there. That's what I say all the time. Wait 'til I get there."

Recruiting rumblings
Notre Dame may receive an official visit this weekend from Tallahassee, Fla., safety Jawanza Starling. Florida State and Georgia are believed to be the leaders for Starling, who was expected to visit Florida last weekend.

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