BREAKING | 2023 Four-Star CB Christian Gray Commits to Notre Dame
Notre Dame has landed its guy.
2023 De Smet (Mo.) cornerback Christian Gray has always been at the top of the board for Notre Dame and the persistence paid off on Monday as the four-star prospect went public with his commitment to the Fighting Irish.
“I talked to God about it and it aligned with my faith and everything I have for the future,” Gray said on CBS HQ. “I just thought the coaching staff was great, the environment was great and it showed me what I could be besides a football player.”
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman made Gray a priority for the last year, while Mike Mickens and Chad Bowden were also relentless in recruiting the St. Louis native as the Irish beat out LSU, Ohio State and USC.
“They're just fun guys and they care a lot about their kids too,” Gray told ISD this year. “I like their attitude and how they always are. Like, after one rep, you mess up, they're going to be like, 'Go back to it, man. Get to it, man.' That just cheers me on and keeps me with my goals and keeps me going.
“I feel like what Notre Dame is about is really special.”
2023 commits Brenan Vernon and Drayk Bowen are probably the only players who have visited South Bend more than Gray over the last 18 months. The De Smet star made multiple trips to Notre Dame, including two in the last three months.
A conversation in December with Freeman might have been the most impactful as it centered around achieving Gray’s dreams on and off the field.
"Coach Freeman told me what Notre Dame can really do for me is help me after football,” stated Gray. “They can help me be great at football and be great after football.
"He said he loves me, but he'll push me harder than ever so I can reach my dreams. He didn't say that as a figure, but as someone who wants to help us and because he cares about us as kids."
Gray will join Texas cornerback Micah Bell in the 2023 class, but he’ll also be part of a loaded Notre Dame defensive class, which includes his video game buddies Drayk Bowen and Peyton Bowen.
"It's fun hanging out with Drayk all the time," Gray said earlier this year. "Me, Drayk and Peyton always play the game (video games). We are always playing the game and having fun."
And as for joining the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class, Gray continues the momentum even if he didn’t know how to explain the roll by the Irish over the last week.
"Man, I don't know," laughed Gray on CBS. "That's God's work. They've done great things."
Film Don’t Lie | CB Christian Gray
Ranking
ISD: 92 (four-star)
247: 92 (four-star)
Rivals: 6.0 (four-star)
ESPN: 83 (four-star)
Composite: 95.43 (four-star)
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Gameday Anorak Performance Half-Zip Jacket
