2023 Notre Dame WR Target Kaleb Smith Approaches Decision

Notre Dame “laid out the red carpet” for Kaleb Smith‍ and his family during the 2023 Texas wide receiver’s official visit to South Bend earlier this month.

Smith decommitted from Texas Tech hours prior to taking that official visit to Notre Dame for the Clemson game.

“It was good,” the Reedy High School standout told ISD. “They made sure we had a great time. It was a good trip.

“I mainly spent time with the recruiting coordinator, Chad Bowden. I was with Coach (Chansi) Stuckey a little bit, Tommy Rees. The majority of the time I was with Coach Chad and Coach Stuckey.”

Bowden had already made a positive impression leading up to the visit and cemented it during.

“He was an energetic guy, the same he is over the phone, probably more animated in real life,” Smith laughed. “He’s a good person.”

Smith and Stuckey’s relationship predates Stuckey’s time with the Irish.

“I’ve known Coach Stuckey for a while,” said Smith. “He was recruiting me when he was recruiting me at Baylor.

“We definitely started to grow a bigger connection and I was able to really sit down with him and watch film. He seems genuine and was really trying to get to know me like he wants me to be a part of his program.”

The Irish have certainly shown Smith what they can offer.

“I feel like it could be a good fit for me because I’m somebody who rises to the occasion,” he said. “I thrive against better competition and that’s something I look forward to and Notre Dame, I know they do play lot of that.

“Even though they don’t throw the ball as much as I would want them to, from what they’re telling me and me being a receiver who can play inside, outside or anywhere on the field, I feel I can help take this offense to another level.”

Smith has also been assured to expect the Irish to be airing the ball out more in the future.

In addition to Texas Tech, a couple other schools could be trying to get involved late, but Smith expects to have a final decision soon.

“Either at the end of this week or the end of next week for sure because I plan on signing this December,” said Smith, alluding to the Early Signing Period, which opens on Dec. 21st.

Under Armour Green Fighting Irish HOVR Sonic 5 Running Shoes ($119.99)