No surprise here — the nation's No. 1 class of 2021 tight end is headed to South Bend to play for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Hartwell (Ga.) Hart County four-star tight end Cane Berrong, the No. 61 overall player in the country from the 2021 class, has committed to Notre Dame. The 6-5, 220-pounder chose the Fighting Irish over scholarship offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Penn State and many others across the country.

Prior to going public with his decision, Berrong informed Irish Illustrated and 247Sports of his decision and shared some details behind what made Notre Dame "home" for him.

"Education played a big part and honestly, it was because I felt at home when I was there," said Berrong when asked why he committed to Notre Dame. "I have a great relationship with Chip Long, the tight ends coach and offensive coordinator, and I know I'll grow under him. A big part was the feeling I had when I was up there. I knew it was home for me. This is the right time for me and my decision. I know Notre Dame will also set me up for life after college."

This wasn't an easy decision for Berrong, who held scholarship offers from every top program. Leaving home, his family that he's extremely close with, and going to school in the midwest is never easy. However, it's the right decision for him and his family couldn't be happier for him.

"We talked about it for a while," said Berrong, when asked what his family's reaction was to his decision. "My dad told me that Notre Dame is a great fit for me and my mom was really excited too. She would prefer that I was closer to home, but she really couldn't be happier for me and is completely on board with it."

Berrong called head coach Brian Kelly Friday night and shared the news with him, but the first call he made was to Long, a coach that targeted him early, struck up a close connection, and made it clear he was priority No. 1 in the class.

"He was really fired up," said Berrong of Long's reaction to the commitment. "He was really excited for me."

Berrong is commitment No. 5 to an already loaded Notre Dame class in 2021. He joins Top100 talents in quarterback Tyler Buchner and offensive tackle Blake Fisher, Top150 defensive tackle Gabriel Rubio, and Top200 offensive guard/center Greg Crippen.

According to the 247Sports Composite Rankings, this is the second cycle in a row that Notre Dame has landed the top tight end nationally. In 2020, Alexandria (Ky.) Covington Catholic four-star tight end and No. 1 player at his position Michael Mayer committed to the Fighting Irish. In addition, Red Bank (N.J.) Catholic four-star tight end Kevin Bauman, the No. 2-ranked tight end in the 2020 class, also committed to Notre Dame.