Ty Ashley’s recruitment continues to accelerate, and Notre Dame is now part of the picture.
The 2027 Kentucky linebacker added an offer from the Irish this week, joining a list that includes Cincinnati, Virginia Tech, Louisville, Notre Dame, Penn State, Wake Forest, West Virginia and Western Kentucky among others.
“It’s been great,” Ashley said of the recent surge in offers. “It’s a blessing, but it’s taken some time to balance it and get used to it. It’s coming along now.”
Notre Dame began communicating with him about a week before extending the offer. Assistant tight ends coach Harris Bivin, who is from the same hometown as Ashley, helped initiate contact, and assistant Tre Reader also reached out before linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary delivered the news.
“Coach Reader called me last week and then Coach BJ called me (Tuesday) night and offered me,” Ashley said. “It was insane. It’s really a blessing. I’ve seen all the movies, the culture down there, and it’s definitely something I want to learn about. It’s crazy that God gave me these abilities to play the game at that level.”
The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder is now working to schedule a visit to South Bend for spring practice.
“I’m trying to figure out when I’m going to go up there,” Ashley said. “We’re going to keep in touch until then, but I think once I get up to campus this spring, it’s really going to show me a lot. If I like them a lot, I’ll potentially take an OV there.”
When he makes the trip, getting to know the people will be central.
“Building the best relationship I can with the staff and people around it,” Ashley said. “Whoever’s going to invest in me, I’m going to try my best to invest in them. Whoever’s going to not budge and keep coming at me and keep showing me that they want me is probably who I’m going to show interest in.”
Jean-Mary made a strong early impression.
“He’s awesome,” Ashley said. “He actually reminds me a lot of our linebacker coach down here. His energy was great. I could even tell on the phone. Seems like a great guy and a great coach. They definitely have a lot of experience up there.”
The Owensboro, Ky., native has a busy spring ahead. He plans to visit Louisville, Kentucky, Virginia Tech, Cincinnati and Western Kentucky in addition to Notre Dame.
Ashley does not plan to rush a decision.
After talking with a friend who committed early and later decommitted, he intends to take official visits before making a final choice.
“I want to be sure. I’m definitely going to take my OVs. After that, I think that’s when my decision will be made.”
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