USC Visit Preview | Commits Excited To Return
It’s a huge weekend for the Notre Dame football program.
Archrival USC will be in town to provide a primetime atmosphere and the opportunity for the Irish to notch another impressive victory.
Several 2021 prospects with offers will be in town and there’s even a chance for a commitment or two. There will be even more recruits who don’t yet have offers from the Irish, but could at some point down the road.
But there’s another group headed to South Bend that may not receive as much attention from those on the outside, but definitely will from those on the inside and the members of that group will have as much of a say in the future of the Irish program as anybody.
Committed prospects often get lost in the shuffle of major recruiting weekends and understandably so as fans are generally more excited about the potential of adding new players to the group than those already onboard.
But there’s no lacking excitement among the commits who will be in town this weekend. Between the 2020 and 2021 classes, there will be 13 pledges on hand.
“I can’t wait to be around all the guys for this weekend,” 2020 quarterback commit Drew Pyne told Irish Sports Daily. “Meeting probably half of them for the first time will be really fun. It will be the biggest group that our class has gotten together thus far.
“It’s just going to be an awesome weekend with my future teammates and best friends.”
Pyne added one more thing.
“I’m also going to learn a little German from Alex,” he said.
Of course, Alex is 2020 German defensive end Alexander Ehrensberger who is taking what has to be the first official visit from Europe in program history.
“I’m super excited to finally meet the commits/my future teammates in person and watch a great game with them,” Ehrensberger said.
2020 running back pledge Chris Tyree (pictured above with Tyree) is also looking forward to the large gathering.
“I’m just excited to get back and meet some more of the guys!” he said. “I don’t think it’s ever been a big group together so it should be a good weekend.”
2020 tight end commit Kevin Bauman is ready to take in the atmosphere against the Trojans.
“Just really excited to hang out with the guys and experience a night game,” the New Jersey native said. “Looking forward to growing closer with my future teammates!”
Bauman’s fellow 2020 tight end commit Michael Mayer has already made several of his future teammates, including Pyne and Tyree, who he spent the week with at The Opening Finals in Dallas this summer.
“I’m already good friends with most of them just through camps and talking through social media, but I can’t wait to meet the new commits in person,” he said.
2020 offensive line commit Michael Carmody feels similar to Mayer.
“Just looking forward to getting to know everyone a bit better,” he said. “I’ve gotten to know the commits through social media and texting, haven’t had a chance to meet many of them in person.”
2020 defensive line commit Rylie Mills also said he’s “really looking forward to seeing all the commits.”
“They’re a really good group of guys and I’m excited to see them,” he said.
2020 wide receiver commit Xavier Watts will be returning for the first time since he committed to the Irish over the summer.
“Just going back to get a feeling for everything again,” he said of what he’s looking forward to. “Hang out with the guys get a little closer.”
Watts added that he’ll be ready to get in the ear of any uncommitted recruits who are on campus.
Mayer and Ehrensberger are also eager to speak with some of the top 2021 targets who will be in attendance.
“I’m pumped to see all the talent that’s not committed coming to his game because I’ll get to meet them and show them what ND is all about,” Mayer said.
“Hopefully, the weekend will land us some more great commits!” added Ehrensberger.
All four current 2021 commits – quarterback Tyler Buchner, tight end Cane Berrong, offensive lineman Blake Fisher and defensive lineman Gabriel Rubio – will be back as well.
Buchner and Fisher already spoke with ISD’s Matt Freeman about their eagerness to recruit many of the top 2021 prospects.
Meanwhile, Berrong is excited to hang out with his future teammates.
“Just to finally meet them in person. I’m ready for the big game atmosphere and see ND stadium at night.”