Birdsong Still Excited By ND After Visit

Justin Birdsong had high expectations for Notre Dame coming into his visit for Saturday’s Blue-Gold Game in South Bend and the 2018 Georgia cornerback was not disappointed.

“It went great,” Birdsong told Irish Sports Daily on Saturday. “I talked to the coaches, they made me feel great about Notre Dame and everything that goes on.

“The game was fun and competitive. I toured the school and saw the place I want to major in. I went to the bookstore and got a couple of souvenirs. The whole thing was great. I liked it a lot.”

Birdsong, who wants to major in Mechanical Engineering, was as impressed with the academics at Notre Dame as the football, if not more.

“They say it is going to be a challenge, but it’s not something anybody can’t handle as long as they put forth the effort,” he said. “Coach (Todd) Lyght talked to me a lot. Basically, he feels like he can help me try to get where I want to go in life.”

The 5-foot-11, 175-pounder, who has offers from schools like Navy, Central Michigan, Ball State and Appalachian State, is still hoping to land one from the Irish and defensive coordinator Mike Elko explained where they are with him.

“Coach Elko wants to see me move around a little bit more,” Birdsong said.

The Stone Mountain, Ga., native expects to see multiple Notre Dame coaches at Stephenson High School in the coming weeks.

“I know my area coach, Coach (Autry) Denson, is supposed to be coming,” he said. “I think Elko is coming down the week before to see Derrik Allen and he’s going to see me that next week and Coach Lyght said he’ll be coming down also.”

Saturday’s trip certainly did nothing to diminish his feelings about Notre Dame, which was already one of his favorite schools.

“I feel just as high. It was great when I went.”