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Notre Dame Football Recruiting

Top 2023 ATH Rodney Gallagher Ready for Five-Headed Monster from Notre Dame

February 3, 2022
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The calendar has officially switched to 2023 recruiting despite Notre Dame offering its first prospect in the class on January 31, 2020. 

And yes, that prospect was the 6-foot-5, 285-pound Brenan Vernon‍.

Recruiting has become important at Notre Dame as head coach Marcus Freeman made it clear it would be a priority. 

"I better be the number one recruiter," stated Freeman at his introductory press conference in December. "I better be the lead recruiter in every kid that we recruit. I plan on doing it. 

"We obviously have to depend on our staff and I will depend on our staff to make sure we know who and what and why we are recruiting every individual, but if I'm not the lead recruiter, then we're cheating them."

Freeman's staff, led by Chad Bowden, hit the ground running in January and there might not be a better example of the aggressiveness on the recruiting trail than 2023 Laurel Highlands (Pa.) athlete Rodney Gallagher‍. 

The four-star prospect is coveted coast-to-coast and Notre Dame made sure he felt the love during the three-week evaluation period in January. 

Bowden was present at Laurel Highlands all three weeks, including a trip with Tommy Rees to watch Gallagher play basketball. 

Yet, the emphasis was there prior to Notre Dame walking the halls of the high school. Gallagher was calling Freeman at least every other day in leading up to the evaluation period and a relationship was being formed. 

"He's a great guy,” Gallagher told ISD in January. “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.” 

It will be fascinating to see where Gallagher’s recruitment moves in the near future as Notre Dame will have ...not one...not two...not three...not four...but five staffers involved with the explosive receiver. New receivers coach Chansi Stuckey is building a relationship now and when tight ends coach Gerad Parker is officially hired he will also be involved.

Parker recruited Gallagher at West Virginia and many around the Midwest felt the Mountaineers might lead heading into January, so his hiring will be a positive for the Irish. 

“Coach Parker and I have a great relationship,” Gallagher said. “We built it at West Virginia.” 

And as for knowing five staffers from one school will be recruiting him, Gallagher is ready for it. 

“It’s great to have coaches like that on me," said Gallagher. 

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

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