Notre Dame Not Done At Guyer

Notre Dame isn’t finished recruiting Guyer High School just yet.

The Irish scored a commitment from 2023 Texas safety Peyton Bowen‍ on Saturday and will continue to recruit his Guyer classmates, 2023 quarterback Jackson Arnold‍ and 2023 defensive back Ryan Yaites‍.

“I think Jackson's probably going to emerge as one of the top two or three 2023 quarterbacks in the nation,” Guyer recruiting coordinator Mike Gallegos says. “I know he is going to be in Texas. He's going to have lots of options.

“I think he'll commit this summer. I think he'll make his final three to five and then I think he'll go visit this summer. I think he will make his decision before the season starts next year.”

In addition to Notre Dame, Arnold has offers from schools like Ole Miss, TCU, Arkansas, Alabama, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Penn State, Florida, Stanford and Tennessee among others.

“He's the type of kid who can make every throw on the field,” Gallegos said. “Coach (Rodney) Webb gave him control of the offense this year. He was able to do a lot within the offense in just his first year running it. So, next year is going to be really special with a full year under his belt.”

Gallegos believes the Irish have a good chance to make the cut.

“He's made some pretty good connections with some of the guys who are recruiting him,” the coach said. “I think a place like Notre Dame is always going to be in the top three to five for sure.”

The Irish also have an offer out to Yaites, who took in one of Alabama’s practices leading up to the College Football Playoff last week.

“He's still in the decision process,” Gallegos said. “I think he's still entertaining a few schools. I think he'll probably make a decision this summer.”

Yaites released his Top 8 on New Year’s Day and the Irish made the cut.

Like Arnold, Yaites has already visited South Bend and could be back before that decision.

“I would think he would try to visit as much as he can this summer to the places that he finalizes,” the coach said. “Like I said, I really think he'll make a decision before the football season.”

The staff at Guyer has gotten to know the staff at Notre Dame well over the past several months and Gallegos was excited about Marcus Freeman being elevated to head coach.

“I think it's great,” he said. “I think Coach Freeman is going to do a great job, somebody who’s been there already. For somebody like Peyton, especially, having a defensive head coach, I think is a big plus for a defensive guy, for sure. I think it was a great move by Notre Dame.”

Irish safeties coach Chris O’Leary has also made a strong impression.

“Great guy. We've had a lot of coaches come through the Fieldhouse ever since Guyer's been open. We've put out a lot of good athletes and we've had a lot of guys come through there and some are very personable and some are not. And he's a great guy.”