Top 2023 WR Rodney Gallagher Hearing from Notre Dame & Marcus Freeman

Marcus Freeman vowed he would be active on the recruiting trail and there might not be a better example than 2023 Laurel Highlands (Pa.) receiver Rodney Gallagher‍. 

The four-star prospect was offered seven months ago, but over the last month, Notre Dame has ramped up the heat on one of the Midwest's top prospects.   

"We have been talking every day,” Gallagher told ISD. “It's great. I'm starting to build a relationship with the coaches and the head coach." 

Freeman's efforts have been strong as the two talk almost daily and it’s been made clear Gallagher is a top of the board target for the Fighting Irish. 

"He's a great guy,” explained Gallagher. “I can't wait to meet him and I'm very excited to meet him. I talk to him almost every day and I can tell he really likes me. 

"He and Coach (Chad) Bowden sat down and watched my film and I'm at the top of their leaderboard. He said they're going to work to get me there. I'm excited to meet both of them." 

And yes, Freeman telling the Western PA native he’s at the top of the board matters. 

"Of course,” stated Gallagher. “That's huge for me. That's something for me to be proud of because of how much I've worked. I'm going to continue to work to stay where I'm at on their board. 

"They're great guys, but even in person, you can build a relationship even better." 

Notre Dame will host a Junior Day on January 29th and Gallagher hopes to make it campus, but if not, the Laurel Highlands star will be making a stop at some point. 

"That's what I'm trying to come to, but it's hard because I'm in the middle of my basketball season right now,” Gallagher said. “Even if I can't come to the Junior Day, I'm going to shoot for another day." 

The Irish are far from the only program coming after Gallagher hard as schools coast-to-coast are recruiting the explosive athlete. 

"Washington just on me today and I'm supposed to get on the phone with them soon,” said Gallagher. “Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Pitt, Penn State are a few more. 

"Coach (Courtney) Hawkins from Michigan State is on me pretty hard. Cincinnati, NC State and Michigan have been on me almost every day. It's been really crazy." 

Gallagher has been in the spotlight since elementary school as he was on one of the most talked about AAU basketball teams growing up. The North Coast Blue Chips featured Gallagher, 2023 Notre Dame lineman target Luke Montgomery‍, Bronny James, Gabe Cupps, Khoi Thurman, Rayvon Griffith,  Jahzare Jackson and many others.

However, the recruiting spotlight is different and something Gallagher has always wanted to experience. 

"It's something I've always dreamed of as a little kid,” stated Gallagher. “It's coming to reality and I've worked hard for it. I'm proud of myself." 

Gallagher also takes pride in knowing Montgomery was always going to be a football player despite having hoops dreams as a young kid. 

"I knew Luke was going to be a football player,” laughed Gallagher. “I really did. Everybody knew that. We all knew he was going to be a high-level Division I football player. 

"I was in the middle of choosing basketball or football and it was always about my height and recruitment." 

As for a position at the next level, Gallagher is open to playing either side of the ball. Notre Dame likes him at receiver along with several other programs, but cornerback is also a position coaches have also mentioned. 

"Slot receiver is big right now,” Gallagher explained. “I'm getting a lot of looks for that, but they also want to see me at cornerback too. There are more recruits coming in at slot receiver, so they're going to line me up to see where I'm best at on both sides of the ball. 

"I want to score touchdowns, but if I'll play wherever that will get me to the next level after college."

Gallagher isn't in a rush to make a decision, but he does have a date in mind if he can get in his visits in the next couple of months.  

"I want to shoot for my mom's birthday in March,” said Gallagher. “That's kind of when I'm thinking, but things get hectic sometimes, so maybe that can switch. I think that's when I want to make my decision, but I haven't sat down and made that a full commitment yet." 

Rankings
ISD: 94 (four-star)
247: 94 (four-star)
Rivals: 5.9 (four-star)
ESPN: 84 (four-star)
Composite: 96.29 (four-star)

Junior Highlights