Jackson Arnold

Checked in with multiple sources on 2023 Notre Dame safety commit Peyton Bowen after he showed up at Oklahoma this weekend. Bowen is saying all the right things to those around The Gug and other people around his recruitment as it relates to Notre Dame. One source said the four-star prospect said he was locked in with Notre Dame. That said, Bowen still took the visit and it only complicates things with his friend and teammate Jackson Arnold committing to the Sooners on Monday. Now, it didn't have an impact on Arnold that Bowen committed to Notre Dame and both seemed more than fine going their separate ways. Oklahoma does have the benefit of being 2.5 hours away, but Bowen has built strong connections with the 2023 commits and even Notre Dame's top prospects. As it relates to Notre Dame, I think this staff is prepared to battle for top kids. They are aware teams are going to come after their commits and vice versa. It's big boy recruiting and I think it's truly something this staff embraces and knows a commitment only means so much with top kids. Obviously, Freeman and company would love for kids not to take visits after committing, but I believe they have a different outlook on the whole process than the previous staff did and will accept the challenge head on if it means landing top talent.