Notre Dame Will Be A Major Player For 2019 DE Aeneas DiCosmo

2019 Bergen Catholic (N.J.) defensive end Aeneas DiCosmo‍ had zero offers at this time a year ago. On Tuesday, Notre Dame defensive line coach Mike Elston let DiCosmo know he had earned offer No. 30. 

“I spoke to Coach Elston earlier today,” DiCosmo told Irish Sports Daily. “He was talking to me about the school and playing a standup defensive end position that drops back. I know that position, and I’ve had a lot of success there. I was happy to get that offer.”

The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder is familiar with the position and feels exceptionally comfortable playing in the role. 

It’s worth noting several schools see DiCosmo in different roles. Some programs want him at defensive end, linebacker and even tight end. 

“It’s a position I have much more experience with,” DiCosmo said of the drop position. “It’s mainly what I did my junior year. It’s something I already understand.” 

“I can adapt at linebacker. I have enough versatility to play linebacker.” 

One of the main aspects of Notre Dame that has DiCosmo’s attention is the academic oppotunities. 

“Notre Dame is such a prestigious academic institution,” stated DiCosomo. “It’s an offer I have been waiting on. Offers like Notre Dame are the ones I have been looking forward to the most.” 

Several prospects speak highly of Notre Dame’s academics, but the New Jersey native means it. 

“I think my class schedule speaks for itself,” said DiCosmo. “I already have four AP classes under my belt. My resumè shows I value academics more than most football players. 

“I’ve been looking at majoring in Business with a minor in Mandarin.” 

DiCosmo has taken unofficial visits to Boston College, Harvard, Michigan, Northwestern, Wisconsin and Yale this spring, but he has his eye on getting to a couple more, including Notre Dame. 

“In May, I will be taking an unofficial visit to Stanford,” DiCosmo said. “I haven’t decided on if I will take an unofficial or an official visit to Clemson and Notre Dame yet. I’ll definitely be at both schools.” 

A decision is expected sometime in June or July, so the next set of visits will be crucial for DiCosmo and the schools recruiting him. 

“I like to get around the players and see if they’re happy and enjoying the experience,” DiCosmo explained. “Hearing perspective of what their experience has been like shows a lot. 

“The education part of it is important. Those are top two things that will play a factor for me.”

Michigan might be the unofficial leader in DiCosmo’s recruitment at the moment, and the Wolverines definitely laid out the red carpet during a visit in March. 

“They had me around the players,” said DiCosmo. “I got to meet Rashan Gary, who is a player I looked up to for most of high school. I was a freshman when he was a senior, so meeting him was cool. I met Chase Winovich, and he will probably be drafted next year. 

“I walked around campus with Carlo Kemp, and it was a lot of fun. I got to be around a lot of players to see what it was really like and it was enlightening.” 

DiCosmo's father, Anthony, played with 2019 defensive back Kenyatta Watson's father at Boston College in the 90s, but he also has a Notre Dame tie. 

The late Notre Dame legend Andre Jones was DiCosmo's agent and made a significant impact on his life. 

"He was a very, very close friend," stated the eldest DiCosmo, who continues to check up on the Jones family. "He was one of the kindest, smartest humans I ever met. 

"He helped me grow up into a man and inspired me to be the dad I am today."