Wrapping Up The Commitment of Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa
Entering the weekend, Notre Dame had put together a solid defensive haul in 2024, but the class needed the centerpiece.
It came on Sunday as 2024 St. John Bosco (Calif.) linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa made his commitment to Notre Dame and it gives Marcus Freeman the piece he was missing. Viliamu-Asa made three trips to Notre Dame during his recruiting process, but perhaps none were more important than his visit in April of 2023 for the Blue-Gold Game, which was set last minute.
Viliamu-Asa had gotten a brief look at Notre Dame the year before at the spring game, but it was exactly that. It wasn’t overly informative as he made the trip out with his St. John Bosco teammate Peyton Woodyard.
Instead of a quick trip, Viliamu-Asa made sure to stay for more than one day to make sure he was able to learn more about Notre Dame’s academics, players and program. Notre Dame emphasized its academic opportunities that weekend and it resonated with Viliamu-Asa, who holds a 4.28 GPA.
The California native also pieces of Al Golden’s defense and learned more about how he’d fit in. Notre Dame had examples to show him as Marist Liufau has played multiple positions in the defense over the last few years. Schools can say one thing, but showing a player how he’d fit with film can be a difference maker.
Viliamu-Asa set his official visit to Notre Dame that weekend and that proved to be significant as he cut his list to three schools the same week. If he hadn’t made that visit, I’m not sure Notre Dame would have been in the race or much less landed the St. John Bosco star.
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It’s not often other sites highlight competitor websites, but in this case, Jeremy Birmingham of Dotting The Eyes, put out an incredible article on Midwest recruiting last week.
Ohio State finding more and more recruiting battles against Midwest foes
There is zero debate Ohio State has been king in the Midwest on the recruiting trail for years as top recruits consistently visit Columbus and give their signature to the Buckeyes. Yes, Notre Dame isn’t able to recruit every player Michigan and Ohio State offer, but it should also be closer than it is and Marcus Freeman and his staff are slowly changing that - yet it’s not going to happen in 48 hours.
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“In the 2023 cycle, nine of Notre Dame's 23 signees had a Buckeyes offer. Michigan had one and that was defensive back Brandyn Hillman who actually signed a letter of intent with the Fighting Irish before being released from it because of those aforementioned academic challenges in South Bend. So far in 2024, there are only three players in Notre Dame's 20-commit class holding a Buckeyes offer and only four in Michigan's 26-man class at present. “On the other side of that, Notre Dame has offered seven different players committed to Ohio State and Michigan has offered nine of the 18 kids verballed to the Buckeyes.” - Jeremy Birmingham, Dotting The Eyes |
Offers are always fascinating to watch as it shows what various staff value. Speed will always be king, but every school takes developmental kids with upside, yet it’s not always the same kids schools see value in. Obviously, Ohio State is the bar as they have landed more blue chip prospects than anyone else in the Midwest, but as Birmingham mentioned, other Midwest programs are making a move in the Midwest, but also outside the region.
One aspect of this is the top-end talent in Ohio has dropped a bit over the last few years. Ohio is still producing very good players, but some of the traditional powerhouse programs are down, which impacts recruiting. It’s easier for Ohio State to recruit Ohio than go into neighboring states.
And there is definitely still a gap despite Michigan and Notre Dame making noise. Ohio State has landed Justin Scott, Mylan Graham, Garrett Stover, Bryce West, Ian Moore, Carnell Tate, Malik Hartford, Luke Montgomery, Jermaine Mathews, Arvell Reese, Joshua Padilla and Austin Siereveld the last two years. All players Michigan and Notre Dame wanted and in some cases for the Irish, couldn’t recruit.
It’s why landing a CJ Carr and Cam Williams is so important for Notre Dame. The Irish have to win the battles that fall into their lap, but continue to fight for guys like Charles Jagusah.
Nationally, Notre Dame landing KVA was a confidence boost for the staff. They showed the ability to go toe-to-toe with two rivals and win. Is this recruitment going to change the minds of top 50 talents across the country? Probably not, but Notre Dame will continue to stick their nose in there and fight for kids a previous might not have spent time on.
If you’ve read ISD in the past, you have seen the importance of all Midwest programs recruiting at a high level. Midwest programs landing more prospects from the South, Texas and the West Coast is good for college football. It means the SEC starts to even out and in the Big 10’s case, it will be important for Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State to win battles in Arizona and California as UCLA and USC are joining the conference.
As for Notre Dame closing the Ohio State dominance in the Midwest, I’m not quite sure it’s going to happen in 2024 or 2025, but a win over the Buckeyes on September 23rd would go a long way in terms of perception. Michigan winning the last two battles has opened the door and there is a chance for both programs to open it even more this season.
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Notre Dame has recruited linebacker as well as anyone in the country since Marcus Freeman has arrived in South Bend. Is that a coincidence? Probably not, but it’s a credit to Freeman and his staff for pursuing Notre Dame fits and recruiting outside the box.
Yet, it’s still crazy as Notre Dame has had a graduate assistant take on a significant recruiting role the last two years as James Laurinaitis was front and center a year ago while that responsibility falls on Max Bullough this year. It’s a calculated risk, but one Ohio State is doing as well with Laurinaitis doing heavy lifting in Columbus.
Rewind to 2021 when Joshua Burnham was a heavy Michigan lean and Junior Tuihalamaka was committed to USC. Notre Dame went into the heart of rival territory and pulled both players. Jaylen Sneed was from South Carolina, which isn’t a state Notre Dame typically even visits during evaluation periods, but Freeman relied on a long-standing relationship and closed. Nolan Ziegler was the only player of the four-man 2022 haul that had Notre Dame at the top of his list before he gave his pledge and it would have taken a colossal meltdown for the staff not to land him.
In 2023, Drayk Bowen headlined the class, but if you remember, Notre Dame didn’t even lead for him three months before his decision. It was Auburn and Clemson for the in-state prospect. Freeman and Chad Bowden closed and closed hard. Jaiden Ausberry grew up across the street from LSU. If not for Al Washington coming to Notre Dame, it’s hard to see the Irish landing Ausberry as he recruited the four-star while at Ohio State. Preston Zinter was the fit on paper, but there was likely some baggage there with how his brother’s recruitment went. Notre Dame got over that hurdle and closed.
Now in 2024, Notre Dame identified Teddy Rezac before most and verified his testing to feel comfortable pushing for a commitment. Bodie Kahoun is an interesting player as his best football is ahead of him as he transitions to football after being a lacrosse star. KVA was the statement Notre Dame needed and the perfect match with two kids who need development, but can run.
There is a lot to like in the linebacker room right now and when you talk about improving team speed, Notre Dame is doing that at the position.
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