SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Three years ago, after Brady Quinn threw what seemed like his umpteenth touchdown of the day in a lopsided win over BYU (actually, he only threw six TDs that day), one observer turned to another and wondered the obvious.

What receiver in his right mind wouldn't want to play in Charlie Weis' high-octane offense?

Surprisingly, for a couple years at least, the nation's top prep receivers weren't exactly elbowing each other out of the way to get to South Bend.

That, however, appears to be changing. And the trailblazer may turn out to be a somewhat reserved freshman whose play on the field has been loud.

Michael Floyd, one of the most coveted receivers in a last year's recruiting class, a class that was considered rich in pass-catchers, has helped re-open eyes to Notre Dame's passing attack, an attack that last year floundered in the first year of the post-Quinn Era.

Rivals.com honored Floyd on its Freshman Midseason All-America Team, and that is just the beginning of honors for the product of Cretin-Derham Hall High in St. Paul, Minn.

And as Floyd gets noticed, other standouts appear to be noticing the Irish.

Shaquelle Evans, a standout at Inglewood (Calif.) High School, has planned an announcement for Friday afternoon, and it looks like a two-horse race between the Irish and USC.

There has been speculation that Evans had been silently (without public acknowledgement) committed to USC. But the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Evans reportedly backed off that promise-ring pledge after officially visiting Notre Dame for its Sept. 27 victory over Purdue. Evans had a good visit, and the feeling has been that the sooner Evans makes an announcement, the better ND's chances.

Last month, Notre Dame received a verbal commitment from New Jersey product Nyshier Oliver, a one-time Tennessee commit who also could play other positions. Evans, however, would be the jewel at the position in this class, as Floyd was last year.

Notre Dame already has a receiver nucleus in Floyd and speedster Golden Tate, a high school running back whose acrobatic receptions this season have many also dubbing him a star. Sophomore Duval Kamara had a slow start this season, but has the build of an NFL receiver and remains an important cog in the Irish passing game.

And waiting in the wings for ND is Deion Walker, a classmate of Floyd's who also was a coveted prospect last season. Walker, however, wasn't as college-ready as Floyd and needs to work on adding strength as well as polishing his skills as he spends his freshman season likely redshirting.

What could become a glut of receivers next season, if Evans commits, seemed tough to envision little over a year ago. Notre Dame at one time was believed to have a silent verbal of its own from Arrelious Benn, then the nation's top receiver, but he ended up at Illinois where he is now a sophomore star.

Also in that class was Greg Little, who publicly committed to the Irish. But on signing day, Little ended up inking with North Carolina, his home-state school. Little is now a running back for the Tar Heels.

But Floyd committed last year on the weekend the Irish were 38-0 losers to USC, and with Jimmy Clausen showing marked improvement over his freshman season, the Irish passing game appears to be set for the next few years. And perhaps beyond.

Also on NBCSports.com PFT: Packers president admits he’s ‘disappointed’ CFT: By the numbers spotlights McCoy  |    Images MLB blog: A look at the top 111 free agents College hoops: North Carolina will be scary good   Video: Red card? Some rough play in women's soccer Twitter: Follow us @nbc_sports

MORE FROM NOTRE DAME CENTRAL

Notre Dame Central Section Front

Inside the Irish blog: Latest news and analysis Predictions 101: Irish to bounce back, edge Pitt Inside the Irish: TE Rudolph out for the season Fighting Irish face tough test at No. 8 Pitt Inside the Irish: Theme of week is accountability ND's loss to Navy puts pressure on Weis again Notre Dame drops out of Top 25 Five things we learned: Red zone offense killed Irish Navy likely sinks Notre Dame's BCS bowl hopes Floyd's back, competition with Tate resumes Notre Dame Central Section Front   Add Notre Dame Central headlines to your news reader: