Taven Epps

Notre Dame did a pheonmenal job this weekend despite the challenges of the weather and altering some of what they normally do due to the storms. - It was important for Notre Dame to get its 2026 commits back together again and almost the whole class was on campus. I'm not sure anyone is a flight risk at this point, but the more they can be reminded why they picked Notre Dame and get around the program the better. Notre Dame has the nation's top secondary class incoming and they were all on campus. (Chaz Smith, Nick Reddish, Jevaughn Codlin, Khary Adams, Joey O'Brien, Mike Mickens and Ayden Pouncey) - The Irish had an absolutely loaded defensive line group on campus. In talking to multiple sources, it wouldn't be surprising if the Irish led for 2027 defensive end David Jacobs Jr. and 2028 defensive lineman Marcus Fakatou. I would say right now, 2027 defensive end Chris Whitehead may have the Irish out in front, but I think he's probably the one of the three that's a little more impressionable....And who knows, Jacobs and Fakatou could be in the same class when all is said and done. That said, Jacobs and his younger brother, Dawson Jacobs, are Georgia legacys and it will be tough to get them out of SEC Country when push comes to shove. Three visits in 7 months and two visits in the fall is a great start. 2028 Bolles School (Fla.) defensive end Asher Ghioto has the attention of the Notre Dame staff for his plays, but also his size. Notre Dame may lead here too. - Notre Dame hosted three prospects from Rolesville High School (N.C.) and it's easy to see Notre Dame leading for all three. 2027 running back Amir Brown decommitted from North Carolina last week, while 2027 receiver Anthony Roberts made his second visit this fall and 2027 safety Marquis Bryant made his second visit of the year. I'm told all three have expressed interest in playing together at the next level, but there is also some realism there and all three are conducting their own recruiting process. - As mentioned yesterday, Notre Dame did a great job with 2027 McKeesport (Pa.) running back Kemon Spell, who decommitted from Penn State last week. The five-star prospect stayed through Sunday afternoon, so he was able to spend quality time with the staff and get a full experience despite it being a game weekend. Right now, Notre Dame is definitely the team to beat and that is led by his relationship with running back coach Ja'Juan Sieder. Will he make a commitment right after decommitting? It's an interesting study. In an ideal world, Notre Dame wouldn't hate it if Spell takes more visits to other schools this fall as they are confident they set a bar. The other part of that is if Spell commits sooner than later and continues run up his offers, then that presents a problem down the line. Spell currently has 19 offers, which isn't a ton, and after decomitting, programs are likely going to offer in the coming days. Oregon is a program that offered last week and he only holds three SEC offers at this point (Georgia, Ole Miss and Tennessee), so that's likely going to go up. Obviously, no program is going to turn down Spell's commitment, but I think most programs would love for him to make an educated decision over an impulsive one. NSD is 14 months away for Spell, so it's about winning he war and not the moment. - I also believe Notre Dame sits in a good spot with 2027 Central Catholic (Pa.) offensive lineman James Halter, who is an Irish legacy. He made his second visit this fall and Joe Rudolph has made him a priority. - One player I'm not sure Notre Dame will be in the running for is 2027 Texas linebacker/edge commit Taven Epps. The Irish offered early and finally got him on campus. I don't get the feeling Epps sees himself at Notre Dame, which is more than fine as he has several other offers and as Christian mentioned yesterday, he'll also be visiting Alabama, Oklahoma and Texas this fall. - 2027 St. Clair County (Ala.) receiver Joshua Douthard has the attention of Notre Dame. Douthard's speed shows up on his junior film and has the staff very excited about his potential. The Alabama native plans to get back to Notre Dame in the offseason and it's clear the Irish set a bar for him. - 2027 IMG Academy (Pa.) corneback Larry Moon III made his return to campus following visiting for Irish Invasion a year ago and leaving with an offer. Moon has always been high on the Irish, but moving to IMG likely cost Notre Dame more than a few chances to host him. Moon had a great time on Saturday and I think he was reminded why he was so high on Notre Dame following his first visit. I'm not sure he has a set leader, but the Irish did what they needed to do to get back in the race. Under Armour White Notre Dame Fighting Irish Shillelagh Rival Fleece Sweatshirt