Irish Stay In Touch With 2021 DE Hayden Nelson

Hayden Nelson‍ made a pair of trips to Notre Dame last year, including a visit for the home finale against Boston College in November.

A month after that, Irish assistant coach Tommy Rees dropped by Brookfield Central High School to check in on the 2021 Wisconsin defensive end.

“He said he wanted to come for a junior day,” said Nelson. “He said I could stay after and meet with some of the d-linemen and talk to Coach (Mike) Elston a lot more.

“It was nice, but it was during that period when you’re not allowed to talk to the coaches much.”

Nelson wasn’t able to make it back to South Bend for this month’s Junior Day, but does plan to return when he can.

“I think so, I’ve just got hoops right now, so it’s kind of hard,” he said. “But I’m definitely going to get up there soon.”

The 6-foot-4, 240-pounder currently has offers from Iowa State, Kent State, Central Michigan and Western Michigan. He’s also receiving interest from schools like Wisconsin, Nebraska and Minnesota among others.

He’s honored to be on the Irish’s recruiting radar.

“It definitely means a lot,” said Nelson. “Notre Dame is a very prestigious school. There’s a lot of great tradition there. Just to know there may be an opportunity to play there really means a lot.”

The primary goal for the next visit to South Bend would be to get to know the Irish defensive line coach better.

“Really just talk with Coach Elston to see how I fit in with what they’re doing and see how interested they are too,” he said.

He’s already got a few trips planned once his basketball season is finished.

“I’m going to go to Iowa State, Purdue, Missouri and Wisconsin.”