2024 CB Karson Hobbs Talks "Dream" Offer From Notre Dame

He may have tried to shield his reaction a bit in the moment, but there is denying it now; the offer Karson Hobbs‍ landed from Notre Dame during a visit to South Bend on Saturday was a “big, big deal.”

“I had to act I like I've been there before,” the 2024 Ohio cornerback told Irish Sports Daily afterward.

“But really, I haven't been there with Notre Dame, so I was really excited. That's been my dream school forever.”

Indeed, the Cincinnati native and his father, who made the trip with him to South Bend, are diehard Notre Dame fans.  

While Hobbs did his best to act like he’d been there before, his father had to excuse himself for a second.

“I literally went behind one of the little stands that they had there and had tears in my eyes,” Dan Hobbs told ISD.

“I'm telling you that was a big deal today, big, big deal, man. That was kind of shocking to me. I figured something might happen, but I didn't think it would happen today.”

The Archbishop Moeller standout committed to South Carolina back in July, but jumped at the opportunity to return to South Bend as a recruit instead of a fan. Hobbs told the Gamecocks’ staff that Notre Dame would be the only school he’d visit and he’s glad he did.

Notre Dame cornerbacks coach Mike Mickens delivered the offer.

“He was talking about guys he'd offer from Cincinnati and guys he offered from Ohio,” Hobbs recalled. “I just let him know like, 'I love Notre Dame and I’ve been a huge fan forever.' He was like, 'Well, we just want to let you know that you've got one from our program too.'”

Dan Hobbs said they were treated “like kings.”

“Everything was first class,” he continued. “They did it up. I was very, very impressed with the whole thing.”

Hobbs has a decision to make now, but doesn’t feel under the gun to do so anytime soon.

“They didn't put any pressure on us,” his father explained. “They just gave us the offer. I told them that would be the only visit that Karson's taking since he’s committed. But I did tell the South Carolina coaches that this is his dream school and he was going to take the visit. We didn't know he was going to get the offer.

“So, now we've just got to do some soul-searching and sit down and see what happens. That'll be the last place we visit and with that offer on the table, that changes a lot of things.”

Hobbs acknowledged the tough choice is one of those good problems.

“Real good problem to have. It's all really a blessing and I just plan to take it day-by-day, week-by-week and just see really what ends up being overall, the best decision for me and my future.”

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