Notre Dame has shown the willingness to go anywhere in the country to go after the nation’s top prospects…and most recently, the ability to go win those battles.
So, it wasn’t a shock to see the Irish extend an offer to 2027 five-star defensive lineman Jalen Brewster last week.
The Cedar Hill High School star has offers from Texas, Texas A&M, Georgia, Ohio State, Penn State, USC and Oregon among several others.
But the Irish may have a more natural fit with the Texas prospect than usual.
“I was born and raised in Indianapolis,” Brewster told Irish Sports Daily. “That's my hometown.”
Brewster was excited to land the offer during a phone conversation with Notre Dame defensive line coach Al Washington last Monday.
“He said I was the best at my position,” Brewster said.
“They need the best in the program to come play.”
The 6-foot-4, 290-pounder’s initial impressions of Washington were positive.
“He's a cool dude,” Brewster said of Washington. “He's a real guy.”
Brewster is looking forward to continuing to speak with Washington and the rest of the staff at Notre Dame now that he has the offer.
“Building a relationship,” Brewster said of what’s next. “Getting closer to them and letting them get closer to my people.”
Despite growing up in Indiana, Brewster has never been to South Bend.
“But that's what I plan on doing this year,” he said.
“Bring my family up there because I know they're real big fans of Notre Dame, so I was going to bring them up for a game visit.”
Of course, Brewster also wants to check it out for himself.
“See the coaches, their facility and that environment,” he said of what he’ll be looking to see.
He’s already made trips to Texas, Oklahoma, Indiana, Ohio State and Oregon.
He has a couple other visits in mind for the fall.
“I want to get to that Ohio State-Texas game for sure,” he said of the Aug. 30th matchup in Columbus. “And a Michigan game.”
One factor will matter more than all else when it comes time for Brewster to pick a school.
“The relationship and how strong that is with the coaches.”
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