Weekend Recruiting Preview
Recruiting weekends across the country are starting to pick up and Notre Dame targets are flocking to games at campuses from coast to coast.
This weekend, Irish fans may want to pay particularly close attention to a school they don’t always find themselves battling with.
IF YOU WIN, THEY WILL COME (OR AT LEAST VISIT)
The Game of the Week will be in Iowa City, where #3 Iowa hosts #4 Penn State. The Hawkeyes are using the atmosphere as a showcase for recruits, including some top Notre Dame targets.
Iowa safety Xavier Nwankpa may be the most important prospect left on Notre Dame’s 2022 recruiting board and he’ll be in town on an official visit. Nwankpa (pictured above) has already taken officials to Notre Dame, Ohio State and Texas A&M. This isn’t a courtesy visit, either. Iowa is a legitimate player for Nwankpa – and some even believe the Hawkeyes are the current favorite – although Notre Dame remains a serious contender as well.
Iowa will be hosting several Notre Dame recruits in the Class of 2023 as well, including offensive linemen Kadyn Proctor, Cayden Green and Charles Jagusah, along with wide receiver Kyler Kasper, defensive tackle Kendrick Gilbert and athlete Kaden Feagin, who all have offers from the Irish.
Iowa’s list also includes 2023 offensive lineman Trevor Lauck, defensive lineman Tyler Gant and linebacker Asa Newsom, who have all visited South Bend this year.
IRISH TARGETS SPREAD OUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY
Ohio State will have several recruits on campus this weekend, but none more noteworthy to Notre Dame fans than 2023 wide receiver Carnell Tate and 2023 cornerback AJ Harris. The Buckeyes will also host 2023 defensive lineman Will Smith Jr., who was just in South Bend.
Top 2022 defensive lineman target Anthony Lucas is taking another round of visits after summer officials and this week’s return swing will bring him to Texas A&M. He’s already taken visits to Miami, USC and UCLA this fall. Next up will be LSU followed by Notre Dame for the USC game and Alabama early next month.
As we mentioned on this week’s ISD Official Visit Show, we’re again monitoring 2022 New Jersey cornerback Davison Igbinosun, who recently decommitted from Rutgers. He’s scheduled to be at Tennessee this weekend. We’ll try to catch up with Igbinosun before he leaves. (More on that below).
Texas will have several prospects in Dallas for the Red River Showdown against Oklahoma, including several 2023 targets with Irish offers like wide receiver Johntay Cook, defensive lineman David Hicks and defensive backs Javien Toviano, Ryan Yaites and Malik Muhammad.
Auburn will have a large contingent of recruits in town for its game against #2 Georgia, including 2023 defensive lineman Hunter Osborne, who just received an offer from Notre Dame on Thursday. Other 2023 prospects with Irish offers who will be at Auburn this weekend include linebacker Drayk Bowen, defensive lineman Keldric Faulk, linebacker Troy Ford Jr. and safety Terrance Love.
USC’s recruiting weekend is expected to include 2023 tight end Duce Robinson and 2023 athlete Mikal Harrison-Pilot, who both have Notre Dame offers.
And 2023 California quarterback Nicholaus Iamaleava will be at Ole Miss this weekend along with 2024 California Jack Ressler, who has an Irish offer and 2024 Mater Dei quarterback Elijah Brown, who has already established himself as a national recruit.
ISD HITTING THE ROAD
Irish Sports Daily is on the road this weekend, headed down to New Jersey.
As mentioned above, we’re scheduled to check in with Igbinosun. Also, be on the lookout for an update on 2023 offensive lineman Chase Bisontis.
On Friday night, we’ll be at the Bergen Catholic game against Paramus to check out 2022 Notre Dame commits Steve Angeli and Jayden Bellamy along with 2023 defensive lineman Sydir Mitchell Jr., who visited South Bend last month.
On Saturday afternoon, we’ll be at the Irvington-DePaul game to check out 2023 Notre Dame defensive back commit Adon Shuler.
And on Saturday night…well, not quite sure yet where we’ll be watching Notre Dame-Virginia Tech.
Any suggestions?