Maki Stewart made his way to the Midwest this week as the 2025 California offensive lineman enjoyed visits to Notre Dame and Michigan.
“It went real good,” Stewart said of Tuesday’s stop in South Bend. “We got to do campus tours. We got a facility tour. We talked to the o-line coach. We ate lunch. What did a photoshoot in the stadium. That was pretty much it.
“The campus and facilities are for sure up there. I really like them. It has their history in the weight room and you can see it every day when you're walking in for workouts.”
The Bishop Alemany standout enjoyed the time he spent with Irish offensive line coach Joe Rudolph.
“It was really entertaining,” said Stewart. “We talked about like the little stuff. We didn't talk about the big stuff. We talked about academics and things that would happen if I were to go there. It sounded really good to be honest.
“He's a more of a standup guy and knowledgeable.”
Stewart has early offers from schools like Florida State, Utah, Washington State, South Carolina and Syracuse among others.
The Irish give him an idea of what they’ll be looking for.
“They really don't want me to worry about what position I will play,” said Stewart. “They just want me to be athletic enough to play everywhere and that everything would just come along once I get in the program.
“(Rudolph) said they want to see my junior film a little bit more and see how I move with the weight I'm at right now.”
After checking in between 290 and 300 pounds last season, Stewart is now around 310 to 315.
He heads to Arizona and Arizona State for visits next week, but said he’d like to return to South Bend, possibly for a game. He’s also hoping to take in games at USC, Florida State and Michigan.
The energy around the program and his relationship with the coaching staff will be crucial to Stewart’s final decision.
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