BREAKING | Notre Dame Lands Commitment from Top 2023 DE Brenan Vernon
Notre Dame has sent a statement.
The Fighting Irish have landed a commitment from 2023 Mentor (Ohio) defensive end Brenan Vernon following his three-day unofficial visit to Notre Dame and it comes a day after fellow 2023 defensive end Keon Keeley gave his pledge to the Irish.
The 6-foot-5, 240-pounder was the first offer Notre Dame dished out in the 2023 recruiting class and it paid off for the Irish staff as they held off Ohio State and a recent offer from Alabama.
“It means a lot,” Vernon told ISD back in February of 2020 following the offer. “It’s just another chip on my shoulder knowing I’ve got to keep this up and continue to produce. It just means that I need to keep my nose to the grindstone and keep going.”
Notre Dame’s small school feel was something Vernon enjoyed seeing during his visits, but he also felt at home.
“The atmosphere and I love the community,” said Vernon. “It’s not a bigger school. It’s smaller.
The Irish staff really ramped up its pursuit of Vernon in the early spring as the four-star prospect made sure to call Mike Elston on a consistent basis.
“I’ve heard from Notre Dame a decent amount - Coach (Mike) Elston and Chad Bowden,” said Vernon in April. “We’ve started picking up on our relationship and communication - so like once a week or a few times a week. We’re just starting to get to know each other right now. Just starting from the ground up.”
Elston deserves a ton of credit for landing Vernon and left a lasting impression on Vernon when they first met in November of 2019.
“He’s such a good guy,” said Vernon following his visit in 2019. “He came up to me with a smile on his face, he brought it in with a bro hug. I just felt so welcomed from the first handshake.”
Film Don’t Lie | DE Brenan Vernon
Offers: Alabama, Cincinnati, Duke, Indiana, Iowa State, Kent State, Kentucky, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Tennessee, Toledo, West Virginia and Wisconsin
Rankings
ISD: 93 (four-star)
247: 94 (four-star)
Rivals: 6.0 (four-star)
ESPN: N/R
Composite: 99.08 (five-star)
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