BREAKING | 2024 WR Logan Saldate Gives Commitment to Notre Dame
Notre Dame has received its third receiver commitment in the 2024 class as Palma (Calif.) star Logan Saldate has given his verbal pledge to the Fighting Irish.
The 5-foot-11, 185-pounder committed to Oregon State on May 29th, but Notre Dame started ramping up the heat in the last few weeks as Director of Recruiting Chad Bowden reached out to the three-star prospect.
Saldate didn’t initially catch on that Bowden was recruiting him, but when it clicked, the Palma standout quickly realized the opportunity he had in South Bend.
“To be honest, it kind of went over my head,” Saldate told ISD earlier this week. “I was already committed and I felt my recruiting process was over. I didn’t think much of it. A few days passed and I knew it was a big deal. Notre Dame hasn’t been a dream school, but it was the only school that could probably get me to flip from Oregon State.”
The commitment to the Irish is one that was thought out as Saldate and his family have yet to step on campus, which speaks to how the Notre Dame staff view his talents.
“It’s Notre Dame,” stated Saldate. “It’s really hard to pass on. My family and I would have taken an unofficial, but it wasn’t going to work out. I don’t want to say we’re making this decision blind because we know what Notre Dame is about.
“Every school is going to have a weight room and the stuff you need.”
Notre Dame receivers coach Chansi Stuckey has also been heavily involved as the two have developed a strong relationship in a short time. In fact, Stuckey has taken the chance to get to know the Saldate family over pitching football for the most part.
“It’s been good,” explained Saldate. “He’s really been in contact with me the past few weeks. We’ve talked less about football and we’ve tried to get to know each through our family. He got my parents on the phone and everything.”
Irish head coach Marcus Freeman also found common ground with Saldate and his family. It’s been well documented Freeman’s oldest son, Vinny, is one of Indiana’s top underclassmen wrestlers and Saldate’s brother, Chase, was a top recruit and wrestled for Michigan State.
“His kids are wrestlers and I come from a really big wrestling family,” Saldate stated. “My brother was the No. 1 recruit coming out of high school, so that was definitely a big talking point. It kind of felt like I was already deep into our relationship because of that. We’ve gotten closer and closer over the last few weeks.”
With Saldate’s commitment, Notre Dame officially has one of the nation’s premier athletes in the class. In the past year, Saldate has run a 10.8 100m, 22.3 200m, 113-inch broad jump and a 34-inch vertical.
Saldate is humble as they come, but he firmly believes he’s one of the best athletes in the country.
“I don’t think it should even be a question,” Saldate said. “I have the speed. I have a run in the low 10.8s and I have the No. 2 long jump in California this year.”
Friday’s commitment will end Saldate’s recruitment and the stresses of the recruiting process.
“I can’t even explain the relief that will come,” said Saldate. “I’ve lost so many hours of sleep. What am I going to say to the coaches and how am I going to tell Oregon State? It’s been good and I’m excited.”
Film Don’t Lie | WR Logan Saldate
Offers: Arizona, Army, Cal, Fresno State, Nevada, New Mexico, Notre Dame, Oklahoma State, Oregon State, UNLV, Utah State, Washington and Washington State
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