2021 DE Devin Aupiu Focused on Two Programs

The Early Signing Period is just a few weeks away and Notre Dame is looking to put the final touches on an impressive 2021 recruiting class. 

Pacifica (Calif.) defensive end Devin Aupiu‍ has been committed to UCLA since April, but the Irish would love to flip the 6-foot-5, 220-pounder. 

"I really have balanced it down to two," Aupiu told ISD. "I'm kind of at the point of if I'm not going to UCLA, I'm going to Notre Dame. If I'm not going to go to Notre Dame, I'm going to stick with UCLA. That's kind of how I've balanced it."

It's a tough balancing act as Aupiu hasn't seen Notre Dame and hasn't been able to visit other schools recruiting him as the NCAA has extended the dead period through April 15th of 2021. 

The three-star prospect hasn't let that stop him as he's done his own research online through YouTube to find out more about the Notre Dame program. Through that research, one thing has really stood out. 

"The culture is just second to none there," stated Aupiu. "It's obviously a Catholic school, but in total, the football culture is insane." 

When it comes to defense, Aupiu has watched his fair share of Notre Dame games this year and he's been as impressed as everyone else. 

"I watched some of it, but I was also doing school work at the same time, so I wasn't fully engaged," Aupiu said when asked if he watched the Notre Dame game over the weekend. "I definitely saw they had six sacks. It was a pretty good game." 

Notre Dame wants Aupiu to play the Vyper position and it's an intriguing pitch as it's a little different than where UCLA has him penciled in. 

"They are different," explained Aupiu. "UCLA and Notre Dame run different defenses. Every school I'm looking into, I put myself into that position I'd be playing. I base myself around that when it comes to defense." 

And when it comes to making a final decision on his recruitment, Aupiu believes it will be sooner than later. 

"I want to have a decision by next weekend."