Weekend Wrap | Notre Dame Recruiting
Notre Dame Nation was rocked over the weekend by the news of beloved Irish defensive tackle Louis Nix’s passing.
On Saturday, ISD’s Matt Freeman put together this piece that will allow you to read about Nix, see why his personality was so engaging and hear what his passing has meant to those close to him in the thread.
RIP, Irish Chocolate.
You may be gone, but you will NEVER be forgotten.
IRISH OFFERS CONTINUE TO FLY
Notre Dame fired off a few offers on Friday and then another on Sunday.
We can say with certainty that at least a couple of those who were offered in recent days are seriously, seriously interested in the Irish.
2023 Florida offensive lineman TJ Shanahan sees Notre Dame as O-Line U. The faith aspect of Notre Dame is also important to Shanahan, who is a practicing Catholic. He took a self-guided tour of South Bend way back before self-guided tours were en vogue because of COVID-19, stopping during a Midwestern swing to get a look at Notre Dame before he emerged as a true national prospect. Shanahan absolutely plans on getting back for a true visit whenever that opportunity presents itself. Shanahan doesn’t have a timeline or an official list of favorites, but if he did, it’d be safe to say the Irish would be on it.
2023 defensive back AJ Harris also grabbed an offer from the Irish on Friday. The Phenix City (Ala.) standout is plenty familiar with the Irish. His father is from Gary, Ind., and is a longtime Notre Dame fan. Harris also intends to visit South Bend as soon as he can, a trip that can be easily used to see family as well. Harris is another example of the tag team efforts of Marcus Freeman and Mike Mickens making a major initial impression on an elite prospect to make Notre Dame stick out from the start.
2023 cornerback Ethan Nation admittedly doesn’t know a ton about Notre Dame right now, but after an impressive conversation with Mickens, it’s a school he’ll be doing research on now. He too, plans on visiting when he can.
BENDING ISN’T A PROBLEM FOR 2023 OL MONROE FREELING
Late last week, Notre Dame offered 2023 South Carolina offensive lineman Monroe Freeling. We caught up with Freeling’s offensive line coach and he pointed to a unique situation to explain the 6-foot-7, 275-pounder’s flexibility.
Freeling’s mother is a yoga instructor.
“His flexibility is probably ahead of a lot of kids that big and that young just because he grew up in that and he understands a lot of those stretches and work out,” Antoine Rivens said. “He's a real flexible kid for that size of that age and he really works on it. She does a great job.”
Rivens even encouraged his other linemen to start doing yoga with Freeling and said the results were noticeable.
“If you can't bend at the knees, it’s going to be tough as you get older, because a lot of those guys that come off with low pad level, you'll never be able to block.”
NOTES ON 2022 RB GI’BRAN PAYNE
2022 Ohio RB Gi'Bran Payne announced a Top 5 of Notre Dame, Alabama, Florida, Northwestern and Penn State on Saturday.
A bit more on Payne and the Irish in this note.
IRISH TARGETS LAND NEW OFFERS