2024 S Marquis Gallegos Loves First Look at Notre Dame

2024 Chaminade (Calif.) safety Marquis Gallegos‍ had high expectations heading into last weekend’s visit to Notre Dame and they were exceeded as the four-star prospect left campus impressed with the Fighting Irish program. 

"It was great,” Gallegos told ISD. “The hospitality and the fans showing love was awesome. It was good to get a little picture of what game day is like in South Bend. The culture and everything was nice." 

One of the highlights for the 6-foot-1, 175-pounder lasted a few seconds as Gallegos was able to soak in the view, but also the fans screaming at him as he walked down the Notre Dame Stadium tunnel. 

"It was awesome,” said Gallegos. “I could only imagine what it looks like fully packed on game day." 

That said, the main reason Gallegos made the trip to South Bend was to meet and get to know the coaching staff better. Safeties coach Chris O’Leary made sure to give the California native plenty of time as they broke down some film during the trip. 

"It was awesome to be around them all weekend and talk with them,” stated Gallegos. “We started to build a bond. 

"I had a sit-down meeting with my and Coach O'Leary to talk football for a while. I thought that went really well." 

The meeting left a positive impression on Gallegos in many ways as O’Leary’s personality shined on and off the whiteboard. 

"I think he's a great coach,” explained Gallegos. “His coaching philosophy - I agree with everything he's trying to teach and how he approaches the game is the way everyone should. He's a great person and has great energy." 

Gallegos was able to see how Notre Dame used its safeties on film, which was significant as the Irish defense was vanilla during the Blue-Gold Game. 

"I thought it was good,” Gallegos said of the safeties during the spring game. “I saw more of the defense in the meeting with Coach O'Leary. They like to move them around a lot and put them in different spots. They put them in a position to make plays, which is good because that's what I like to do. 

"Being back and making plays on the ball is fun, but coming down and making tackles is part of the game. It's good they move them around." 

And yes, Chad Bowden, Notre Dame’s Director of Recruiting, also made Gallegos and his family feel welcome.

"I saw him for a little bit,” laughed Gallegos. “When I first got there, I was in a meeting with Coach O'Leary and Chad came down the hallway yelling my name and busted into the room. He's a great guy." 

Gallegos also enjoyed getting to know Notre Dame’s commits and recruits in town. He had previous relationships with Peyton Woodyard‍ and Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa‍, but the weekend allowed Gallegos to meet and get a feel for many other prospects who could end up at Notre Dame. 

"I spent the whole weekend with them,” stated Gallegos. “I was only familiar with the Cali guys. I was able to meet a lot of the commits and hang out. We all got along well." 

All in all, Notre Dame left a lasting impression and while Gallegos doesn’t know when he’ll back to South Bend, he does know he’ll return to campus. 

"I'll definitely be back,” said Gallegos. “I loved it." 

Offers: Arizona, Cal, Colorado, Fresno State, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon State, San Diego State, San Jose State, UCLA, USC and Washington

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