BREAKING | 2024 ATH Brauntae Johnson Commits to Notre Dame
The recruiting process is a roller coaster for schools and prospects, but persistence often wins in the end.
For 2024 North Side (Ind.) athlete Brauntae Johnson, the process started and ended with Notre Dame as the four-star prospect has given his pledge to the Fighting Irish.
Notre Dame safeties coach Chris O’Leary played a significant role in landing the commitment as Johnson battled wanting to play receiver or safety in college, but the relationship and trust the two built won when all the chips were on the table.
“It’s kind of like two kids, two teenage kids, just chatting and chopping it up,” Johnson told ISD of his relationship with O’Leary before his announcement. “He’s an energetic young coach. He’s developed safeties who have gone to the league. There is a great track record. He’s just a great coach and I have a great relationship with him.”
O’Leary is known for his personal relationships with his players, but also the energy Johnson highlighted. It’s a regular occurrence to see O’Leary carrying or wearing cleats into practice so he can run around with his players and that stood out to Johnson.
“I want to be coached by the best,” stated Johnson. “He’s involved and invested in what he does. He’s a coach people should want to be around.”
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman’s involvement in Johnson’s recruitment was also a big piece to the puzzle.
“He’s very sincere and very real,” explained Johnson. “Coach Freeman being a black head coach relates well to a lot of black athletes. That’s what a lot of black athletes want is a black head coach. My relationship with him is real. He’s 100 and that’s what I’m looking for to grow. People need to be 100 with you and real with you.”
Johnson also was quick to give credit to Director of Recruiting Chad Bowden, who is involved with every prospect. The relationship is strong between the two as Bowden worked hard to get the commitment done.
“Chad is probably the most energetic to me,” laughed Johnson. “He’s been on me since he’s been there and when we picked up talking again, Chad was on me. My relationship with Chad is pretty good. They’ve been working me and I’ve been working with them trying to get the best out of this situation. My relationship with all of them is great.”
Johnson has been a star in the Fort Wayne area since his first varsity game as a freshman and Traction AP trainer Dre Muhammad deserves credit for the accelerated development. Muhammad has developed Johnson into one of the nation’s top prospects, but also into a high-character young man.
“Dre has made a huge impact on my life since my freshman year,” Johnson stated. “He’s shown me the process and results. He’s taught me a lot of things and put me around a lot of things, so being with Dre helped me grow as a man, grow on the football field and in life. He’s shown me to keep working and I’ll get there. It’s a process and he’s proven. I know I’m in the right hands.”
With his commitment to Notre Dame, Johnson can now turn his focus to prepping for his senior year as he won’t have to deal with the stresses of recruiting moving forward.
“At the end of the day, I am getting ready to go to the next level,” said Johnson. “I’m going to do it with my mind focused. This takes the stress off my back and it’s a sigh of relief. I can focus on my senior year and what’s ahead.”
Film Don’t Lie | S Brauntae Johnson
Offers: Auburn, Ball State, Central Michigan, Cincinnati, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Kent State, Louisville, Miami, Michigan State, Missouri, Notre Dame, Penn State, Purdue, South Florida, Tennessee, Toledo, Washington, Western Michigan and Wisconsin
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