David Perkins will trade in his gold helmet for 'the' gold helmet.

The South Bend Washington standout announced Tuesday in front of around 100 people at the school library that he will head to Notre Dame to play football.

Perkins thanked Notre Dame for the "life changing opportunity."

He chooses the Irish over Syracuse, Iowa, Mississippi State and Tennessee.

Perkins is considered an 'athlete' at this time, meaning a definite position is not yet known. At Washington, he's starred as a running back, receiver, linebacker and defensive lineman. Perkins will most likely be a linebacker.

He will play his senior year with the Panthers for former Irish football player Antwon Jones in the fall then come to Notre Dame in 2012.

Perkins is the 10th verbal commitment for Notre Dame's incoming class of 2012.

The Irish currently have three local players on the roster in Penn's Braxston Cave, Clay's Daniel Smith and Marian's Nick Fitzpatrick.