Teddy Jarrard returned to South Bend for the Irish’s home opener last weekend, the 2027 quarterback’s first trip back since committing to Notre Dame over the summer.
“It went good,” Jarrard told Irish Sports Daily. “I enjoyed my time, enjoyed the coaches, enjoyed the environment. It was good.
“I thought the atmosphere was electric. I know I was talking to some of the recruiting guys, Carter Auman and all them, and they said that was probably the most electric crowd they've seen in the past five, 10 years. It was cool to be around.”
Jarrard enjoyed getting an in-person look at the Irish offense.
“It was great,” he said. “It's actually very similar to what I do in high school right now with the RPO system and all that. So I thought it was great. It's what I had envisioned for the offense.”
The Irish’s loss to the Aggies doesn’t impact the way Jarrard views Notre Dame.
“I chose Notre Dame because of the scheme and the coaching staff and the culture, not because of wins and losses,” he said.
He appreciated the opportunity to reconnect with offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock, quarterbacks coach Gino Guidugli and head coach Marcus Freeman again in person.
“It was good,” he said. “I got to see everybody and just talk a little bit of football more just a catch-up type of talk.”
Jarrard also enjoyed participating in the Irish Walk to the Stadium prior to the game.
“It was great,” he said. “That was fun, just seeing the fans and how much they interact and know about recruiting and know about everything. I think it was super cool to see, especially just envisioning myself as a player there too.”
The North Cobb High School star has, in a sense, transitioned from recruit to recruiter and was certainly wearing the hat of the latter while on campus.
“I think it's just the start for the 2027 class for Notre Dame and I want to be a big part and a lead recruiter there for the 2027 class,” he said. “Building a foundation here on this first gameday visit was a good start.”
Jarrard believes hearing a pitch from a peer can be impactful.
“I just normally give them my experience of the place,” he said. “People want to get feedback of why I chose Notre Dame overall. I think just hearing it from another recruit and another guy has been through the same process is good to hear.”
Jarrard spoke with several 2027 targets in attendance, especially the receivers and elite edge defender DJ Jacobs, who he played youth ball with.
“He’s one of my good buds,” Jarrard said of himself and Jacobs. “I was on him most of the night. It's not really different. It's just two friends hanging out. I think. We don't approach it as a different type of thing. It's just me being myself around him.
“It was just good to meet everybody.”
Jarrard will be back in South Bend for the Irish’s game against USC next month.
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