Notre Dame In A Good Spot With 2021 ATH Titus Mokiao-Atimalala

Notre Dame got in early on 2021 Ewa Beach (Hawaii) athlete Titus Mokiao-Atimalala‍ and it could pay off for the Irish. 

The 6-foot-1, 170-pounder is in the process of lining up official and unofficial visits and South Bend is going to be a destination point. 

"During the summer, my family and I are trying to hit up the schools on the West Coast," Mokiao-Atimalala said. 
"Michigan, Wisconsin, Nebraska and Notre Dame as of right now, we're looking to make those my official visits." 

California, Hawaii, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oregon State, Utah, Washington State and Wisconsin have already offered the rising 2021 prospect, but more offers will be on the way.

"Oregon - I've been talking to Joe Saleve'a a lot," stated Mokiao-Atimalala. "He wants me to come check them out. He said the trigger would be pulled soon, but it's a just a matter of time. 

"One of the coaches at Ohio State has texted me. That's a big school. They throw a lot and are a great program." 

Two schools on the West Coast haven't offered and it doesn't seem like an offer will come. 

"UCLA and USC came down and checked me out," explained Mokiao-Atimalala. "We haven't really been texting that much. My coach told me one of USC's coaches wants to offer me, but they think they don't have a chance. 

"I told them my options are open."

Mokiao-Atimalala also admitted Nebraska and Notre Dame have cultivated excellent relationships to this point. 
 
"Coach Tony Tuioti from Nebraska is one and Brian Polian is another," Mokiao-Atimalala said. "He texts me almost every day and checks up on me."

Washington State could also be a program to watch as head coach Nick Rolovich left Hawaii for the Cougs and Mokiao-Atimalala will be a priority for his staff. 

"They have Nick Rolovich at Washington State," stated Mokiao-Atimalala. "I'm now looking at them." 

When it comes to Notre Dame, Polian isn't the only one pushing hard for Mokiao-Atimalala.

"My cousin Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa is over there," Mokiao-Atimalala explained. "He texted me and let me know about the program. He said to come check it out to see it for myself.

"He feels like it's going to be a great fit for me. It's a smaller classroom, so it's more direct learning. I thought about that and hopefully, I can go check it out."

The Hawaiian pipeline is something the Campbell star has also noticed, which bodes well for the Irish. 

"Myron, Alohi Gilman, Marist Liufau and Jordan Botelho are up there," laughed Mokiao-Atimalala. "All those guys over there. 

"They DM me and all that. They told me Notre Dame is just like home. With them being there, it makes it easier to have local boys there." 

When it comes to a decision, Mokiao-Atimalala isn't lacking for advice or experience to lean on. 

"I had my cousins Tua (Tagovailoa) and Myron - a lot of family who has built us into where we're at right now," Mokiao-Atimalala said. "They set the path for us. They told us all it takes is hard work, grades and listening to my parents. Listening to my parents is always No. 1. 

"My parents are very hard on me, but I thank my cousins for giving me advice and tips. Look where I am today." 

One deciding factor in this recruitment could be position. 

Mokiao-Atimalala can play receiver or defensive back, but he does have a preference. 

"I'm a wide receiver," said Mokiao-Atimalala. "I also play safety and sometimes I come up to play linebacker. I want to be a receiver in college."