Joakim Gouda’s first visit to Notre Dame centered on building relationships, but it also provided him with a clearer picture of the program.
The 2027 Georgia linebacker got to campus for this weekend’s Junior Day, shortly after receiving his offer as the Irish look to build momentum with one of the top defenders on the board.
“It was good,” Gouda told Irish Sports Daily. “It was great.”
The 6-foot-3, 225-pounder spent time touring the facilities, getting a look at campus and sitting down with the staff as he worked through a full visit itinerary.
He was able to meet with linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary and head coach Marcus Freeman as those relationships continue to develop.
A key part of the visit centered on the defensive scheme and how he would fit within it.
“I fit in it,” he said. “I feel like I fit into any scheme, but that’s something they got going is very kind of pro style. So definitely something that could help me in the future league wise.”
The opportunity to see the full operation up close gave him a better sense of what Notre Dame offers off the field.
The South Paulding High School standout pointed to the academic structure and overall environment as part of what stood out during the visit, noting the selectivity and resources available to players.
The message from Freeman reinforced that combination of football and academics.
“His message is just that Notre Dame is the best opportunity you can get football-wise and academically in one school,” said Gouda.
The Douglasville, Ga., native also got a chance to take in the overall feel of campus, describing it as different from other schools he has visited but still appealing in its own way.
As a newer target for Notre Dame, the focus moving forward will be on continuing to build relationships with the staff and learning more about how he fits within the program.
“Just getting to know more of the coaches, just seeing if it's a good fit for me and getting to know the players and stuff like that.”
Gouda holds offers from Notre Dame, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Auburn, Alabama, Florida State, North Carolina, Tennessee, Ole Miss and Kentucky among others.
He is scheduled to visit Auburn next weekend and already has official visits set with Georgia, Texas, Florida and Auburn, while continuing to consider whether to add Notre Dame to that group.
With a full spring schedule ahead and multiple official visits already set, Notre Dame needs to find a way to get him back for an official.
Regardless, Notre Dame clearly opened Gouda’s eyes.
“Very, very historic,” he said of his overall impressions.
“Coach Freeman is making a great effort to bring it back to how it was back in the day.”
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