Recruiting Not Slowing Down for Notre Dame

The world of college football recruiting has been slowed down in year three of spring official visits. 

Programs around the country can't host prospects and can't hit the road until at least May 31st. 

That said, Notre Dame's staff hasn't slowed things down according to head coach Brian Kelly. 

"Head down and really working hard on relationship building, albeit through written correspondence, text, Social Media, FaceTime, Zoom meetings - we're using all the platforms that are available to us," stated Kelly. "I think we're making great progress. We're able to dig deep on our distinctions and what separates us and we're utilizing our support staff and faculty to really tell our story as to what our unique distinctions are at Notre Dame. 

Several Notre Dame's commits and top targets have told ISD they've been on FaceTime with Brian Kelly in recent weeks. 

2021 offensive linemen Blake Fisher‍, Rocco Spindler‍ and new Penn State commit Landon Tengwall‍ were all on a FaceTime together before Tengwall's commitment. 

It's not ideal, but Kelly and his staff have to do it as the future is unknown.

"This time has given us the opportunity to really dig deep into this recruiting process not knowing what it's going to look like in June or July," said Kelly. 

Notre Dame might have gotten a small jump on programs around the country by locking in official visits in June. 

Granted, those visits might not ever happen, but it's crucial for Notre Dame to lock them in now, so other programs don't host top targets. 

"No decisions have been made that we have to cancel at this point," explained Kelly. "We're going to look at the NCAA saying no campus visits until May 31st and we'll obviously abide by those, but we want to leave open the opportunity for June and July if the NCAA does, in fact, and say that is an open opportunity. 

"Our University has made it clear there are no in-person classes until July 6th. That's why this May 15th date will be an opportunity to discuss further whether there will be any exceptions to this. I haven't been given any assurances that would happen. It's the opportunity to have that discussion as we move forward." 

It's not a risk other than some minor disappointment for some prospects, but the reward could be great, but it hinges on people staying home, the NCAA and Notre Dame's meeting in May.  

"May 15th will be a date where we start to discuss whether there are the opportunities that will exist to do some selective things on campus," Kelly said. "That is a date that is five weeks away. If there is a chance to do some things, then they'll be investigated as such."