Notre Dame’s continued presence in Chicago was clear again last week when Marshaun Thornton added an offer from the Irish.
Notre Dame recruiting assistant Justice Bathas linked Thornton with Irish receivers coach Mike Brown.
“Then I talked to Coach Brown and it went from there,” Thornton said. “We were talking and he said I had a scholarship from them.”
The 2028 Chicago wide receiver said the moment felt almost inevitable.
“It was a surreal feeling,” Thornton said. “Knowing that I've been down there already. I already had a good connection with the coaches. I felt like it was coming sooner or later. I just didn't know it was.
“It was good that it came. Now I can build a better relationship with them and see how everything goes.”
Notre Dame joins an offer list that includes Arizona State, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas State, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, Washington and Wisconsin among others.
The 6-foot-2, 180-pounder has already been to South Bend, attending Notre Dame’s game against Boise State last season.
“It was good,” Thornton said. “It was packed. The fans were loud. It was just a good feeling to be around to see how the coaches were.”
Thornton said his early impressions of Brown and Bathas have stood out.
“Definitely great people,” he said. “They're always ready to develop great players, like all the players that they have. So I feel like they, and they're great people all ready to stay in touch with you. So it's all great vibes, great energy, all of the above.”
A return trip to campus is likely soon.
“Of course,” Thornton said. “I'll most likely be down there for the spring. I'm not sure yet. Don't have a date, but I'll definitely try to make my way down there again.”
When he does return, seeing the development and relationships in South Bend will be crucial.
“Just how they develop everybody,” Thornton said. “How they develop the freshmen, lift the program, the receivers, how the relationships are with everybody. Just little things like that just to see how can I fit in to be the best person for myself there.”
Thornton has not finalized his spring travel schedule but expects to soon.
“As of right now, I haven't narrowed anything down,” he said. “I'm still working on it, but I know I'll definitely have something out probably by next month or so.”
The Mount Carmel receiver also noted Notre Dame’s continued attention to his school and the Chicago area.
“It makes me feel like they're definitely in tune with us to know the type of caliber player, the high caliber players that we have here, always ready to work. They know we’re one of the best programs, if not the best. I feel like they know to come up here and they’re going to always find the best of the best no matter what the situation is.”
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