Coach | 2026 Notre Dame Commit Ayden Pouncey Has “Incredible Instincts”

As the founder of South Florida Express, Brett Goetz has had the opportunity to be around scores of elite football players at an early age and he believes Ayden Pouncey‍ is bound to be another.

“He's been blessed with incredible instincts,” the founder of the elite 7-on-7 program says of Pouncey. “He's very long and rangy and loves to play the game. He's an incredibly great competitor.”

A 2026 Florida defensive back, Pouncey announced his commitment to Notre Dame this past weekend.

Goetz has seen Pouncey consistently make big plays for SFE.

“Just being in the right place at the right time a lot and understanding the game, understanding schemes and putting it all together and making plays,” Goetz says. “He's been incredible for us for three years in the 7-on-7 game, just continuously finding a way to make interceptions. Last year, in the national championship, he had two interceptions against Deuce Knight and he was incredible. He basically won that game for us. 

“He's been a great kid, a great leader. Everybody likes to be around him. The kids enjoy being with him, and he's really been a pleasure to have in our program for three years.”

Like all high school prospects, Goetz sees room for the 6-foot-3, 175-pounder from Winter Park High School to continue to grow.

“We play him at safety,” Goetz says. “I know at Notre Dame, they recruited him at corner, so I think just getting better at that position, getting the skillset down pat to play that position. 

“I think he definitely has the ability and the athleticism to play corner and I think continuously just developing to be a cornerback. I think he'll do a great job at it.”

Pouncey cut his process short and made his decision in April instead of taking official visits to Miami, Syracuse, LSU and Michigan first.

“I know he really enjoyed several schools,” Goetz says. “Ultimately, I think it's a great choice for him. I think he'll fit in really, really well there.”

Goetz has an idea of what the Irish look for in recruits.

“Obviously skillset, but also character,” says Goetz. “I know Notre Dame's going only to recruit high character guys and I think that definitely fits him well. I think he's got tremendous upside. 

“With what Notre Dame brings and Coach (Marcus) Freeman and him being a defensive guy, he's going to really be coached up and really develop into a really good player.”

Not only does Pouncey fit Notre Dame, but Notre Dame fits Pouncey as well, according to Goetz.

“When you choose Notre Dame, you're choosing it for football, but you're choosing it for life after football. That's always been my big thing with SFE. I'm not always the X's and O's guy, but I'm more of the guy that tries to mentor these kids and teach them the importance of networking at their universities.”

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