2024 LB Aaron Chiles Jr. Gets Dream Offer from Notre Dame

2024 Our Lady of Good Counsel (Md.) linebacker Aaron Chiles‍ had patiently been waiting for an offer from Notre Dame and it came on Tuesday evening. 

The four-star prospect had been in contact with area recruiter and Irish defensive line coach Al Washington for a few weeks, so Chiles wasn’t too surprised when the offer came, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t excited. 

"It sort of surprised me, but not really because I had been talking to them and they were at my school," Chiles told ISD.

"Notre Dame has been my dream school for a long time. Hearing I had an offer is a dream come true. My dreams are starting to come to reality." 

Chiles has been paying close attention to the Irish program over the years as Cam Hart and Sam Mustipher hail from Good Counsel, but he’s also started working out with a former Notre Dame player. 

"At first, I just liked the colors, but as I started to understand football, Notre Dame is a winning program and I like the culture,” stated Chiles. “I know Cam Hart and I workout with Daelin Hayes, so I have some connections there." 

Coaches aren’t allowed to have too much in-person contact with prospects off-campus, but Marcus Freeman and Washington made quite the impression by simply walking into Chiles high school in January. 

Since then, Washington has made sure to build a true relationship with Chiles. 

"My first impression was earlier this year when he and the head coach walked into my school,” said Chiles. “He's been all about building a relationship. It's not just saying something to me, but he really wants to build a relationship. 

"On the phone, he's praised how I play and I really appreciate him." 

And yes, Chiles wasn’t the only student fired up Freeman was at Good Counsel. 

"Oh my goodness,” laughed Chiles. “It was like a holiday. Everyone was talking about it and everyone was shocked when he walked in. Seeing the Notre Dame head coach come to our school and look at us is a blessing and a great opportunity." 

On the field, the Good Counsel star is a menace at his linebacker position as he plays at different levels of the defense at a high level. 

"I feel I'm very versatile,” Chiles said. “I can pass rush and drop in coverage. I think I'm really good at playing in space. I play with a high motor and I'm very physical. 

"This summer, I want to become a better pass rusher to show my versatility and become an elite pass rusher." 

The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder is primarily being recruited as a linebacker by programs, but he knows he could also end up playing on the edge if he continues to grow. 

"Most of the teams are recruiting me as a linebacker, but some recruiting sites have me at linebacker and edge,” Chiles explained. “Right now, it depends on how I grow and how big I get.

"I prefer to play linebacker because you get more freedom and do more things, but I have no problem playing edge either." 

Chiles holds offers from many of the top programs in the country, but he’s not in a hurry to make a commitment. The Maryland native is listening to the advice from those who went through the process and plans to take his recruitment slow. 

"Right now, I've been enjoying the process,” explained Chiles. “That's what Daelin and other guys have told me. Enjoy the process and don't rush into a decision because it only happens once. I'm blessed. I'm staying humble and continuing to work.

"I'll definitely take some visits this summer. I don't have the visits planned yet, but I have places I plan to visit and Notre Dame is definitely one of them."

Ranking
ISD: N/R
247: 90 (four-star)
Rivals: 5.9 (four-star)
ESPN: N/R

Offers: Boston College, Cincinnati, UConn, Florida, Georgia, Liberty, Louisville, Marshall, Maryland, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Penn State, Rutgers, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M, USC, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, West Virginia and Wisconsin 

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