Recruiting Week In Review

Written by Joe Bradshaw

Despite the limitations imposed by the NCAA on recruiting a number of prospects being recruited by the Irish are nearing their decision day. They’ve made do with virtual visits instead of official ones, phone calls, Zoom meetings, texts and exchanges through social media. The members of the Class of 2021 have shown the mental flexibility in adapting to the pandemic that should be encouraging for the coaches recruiting them.

Last week, Irish Sports Daily reported on one such Notre Dame recruit who is nearing his decision on his final college destinations. Only time will tell whether the Irish’s efforts will be successful but, it’s obvious that Notre Dame’s coaches have put in the work to eventually get this young man into the blue and gold.

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Joe Alt‍, OL, 6-7, 260, Totino-Grace High School, Fridley, MN has stayed in regular contact with Notre Dame offensive line coach Jeff Quinn and it remains to be seen whether that will help him eventually choose the Irish. However, Quinn hasn’t been doing the heavy lifting alone. Members of Notre Dame’s academic team have been heavily involved, holding meetings with Alt.

“I had one with Adam Sargent (Associate Director of Academic Services for Student-Athletes) about the overall academic support and everything like that,” Alt shared. “I learned about the degree I’m focusing on and how that’s going to work with my football stuff.”

Sargent, who was a scholarship lacrosse player at Notre Dame and a Notre Dame graduate, understands very well the challenges that athletes face at an institution as academically challenging as Notre Dame. He takes that experience as well as his other life experiences and shares them in a way that make strong impressions on recruits and their families. Alt was no exception.

“I really liked him,” he said. “I think he explained it well to me and told me how it’s not going to be easy and you’ll have to work at it, but they’re there to help you. Everybody on campus wants everyone else to succeed. I really liked it.”

Alt has since had another meeting with the Irish academic advisers about his specific major, Mechanical Engineering. Quinn has encouraged him to explore everything that Notre Dame and the other schools recruiting him have to offer before making his final decision. In addition to Notre Dame, Alt is also considering Minnesota, Missouri, Iowa, Iowa State, Northwestern and others.

“He told me to trust the process and find what fits best for you and gather all the information you need,” Alt said.

The Totino-Grace standout recently took a virtual visit to Notre Dame and a couple of others earlier in the spring. He has apparently seen everything he needs to in the schools that are recruiting him.

“I think I’m getting pretty close.”

This summary represents just a sample of the Notre Dame football recruiting information available each week on Irish Sports Daily.