Joshua Dobson needs to recalibrate part of his Notre Dame recruitment following the departure of defensive backs coach Mike Mickens.
The 2027 South Carolina cornerback had built a strong relationship with Mickens during his recruitment. That connection played a significant role in why Notre Dame remained firmly toward the top of Dobson’s list all along and possibly at the very top.
The news of Mickens leaving for the Baltimore Ravens came as a surprise to Dobson, who had been in contact with him in recent weeks.
“He didn’t really talk too much,” Dobson explained. “I asked him if he had any plans and he couldn’t really say it for real, but I knew something was off a little bit.”
The uncertainty has forced Dobson to pause and reassess at least in the immediate aftermath.
“It definitely weighs heavy,” Dobson said. “Coach Mickens played a huge role not only with the corner position, but in the program. Development at my position means a lot.”
Dobson remains one of the more physically gifted defensive backs on Notre Dame’s 2027 board. He holds offers from Notre Dame, LSU, Miami and Florida among others.
Dobson visited LSU this past weekend and the Tigers are trending quickly.
Of course, Aaron Henry, who is in line to be the Irish new defensive backs coach, hasn’t had the chance to make his pitch yet and the Irish figure to have impressed Dobson enough to this point to warrant continued interest.
What has kept Notre Dame in the mix goes beyond football.
“Definitely the culture and the academics,” Dobson said. “My mom’s a teacher, so it means a lot to her.”
Dobson, who was in South Bend for the home opener against Texas A&M in September, said he would “100 percent” welcome a return trip to campus.
Asked what he would want out of another visit, Dobson pointed less to facilities or environment and more toward relationships.
“I’ve really seen almost everything,” Dobson said. “So, just building better relationships, definitely.”
He also continues to communicate with Miami and Florida as he looks ahead to the spring and early summer. He plans to trim his list to six schools next month, take official visits from there, and target a decision in early to mid-July.
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