BREAKING | 2024 DL Owen Wafle Commits to Notre Dame
Notre Dame is hot.
2024 Hun School (N.J.) defensive lineman Owen Wafle has committed to Notre Dame giving the Fighting Irish its second pledge in the class following Brandon Davis-Swain's commitment last month.
The 6-foot-3, 270-pounder took his second trip to Notre Dame in March and it's all he needed to end his recruitment.
"I still can't get over walking down the tunnel and touching the Play Like A Champion sign,” Wafle told ISD. “It still runs through my head."
Head coach Marcus Freeman had a heart-to-heart with Wafle and the message stuck almost two months later.
"He was talking about his No. 1 thing is to make sure his guys have a life after football," Wafle said in March. "He said you can play 15 years or two years in the NFL, but you still need a backup plan. Notre Dame football has guys who want to be first-round draft picks, but you also have the academic side that will keep you going in the long run because it's Notre Dame. Just listening to him talk was really fun."
Defensive line coach Al Washington played the most significant role in Wafle’s recruitment as he not only remained consistent in communication, but also took the time to get to know the New Jersey native.
"It's really strong,” stated Wafle. “We talk once a week and it's been going on for a long time. I'd say we know each other pretty well."
Many recruits have highlighted Washington’s care factor and it’s what allowed Wafle to gain full trust in the message, but also Washington as a person away from the field.
"The guy is just super genuine and caring,” explained Wafle. “He really loves what he's doing and it's super fun to listen to a coach like Coach Washington because he's so excited about his job. It makes me excited about that school."
Wafle is another prospect who could end up as a swing player with his ability to play inside or outside pending his body's development over the next few years.
And yes, Wafle will now get to play in the golden helmets he was so impressed with during his visit.
"I didn't know there was actual gold in the helmets from the Golden Dome," said Wafle. "They scrape it off and put it in the helmets. I thought that was one of the coolest things I've ever heard that the players actually play with gold in their helmet."
Ranking
ISD: 90 (four-star)
247: 90 (four-star)
Rivals: 5.8 (four-star)
ESPN: N/R
Composite: 92.01 (four-star)
Offers: Boston College, Iowa, Kent State, UMass, Michigan, Minnesota, Notre Dame, Rutgers, Syracuse, Vanderbilt, VMI and West Virginia
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