2027 Notre Dame CB Commit Ace Alston Shuts Down Recruitment

Returning to Notre Dame gave Ace Alston‍ another opportunity to confirm what he already believed about the program.

The 2027 Irish cornerback commit spent time around the staff, including new defensive backs coach Aaron Henry, and saw practice up close during last month’s Junior Day, adding more clarity to his decision. By the end of the visit, his stance hadn’t changed.

“It went great,” Alston told Irish Sports Daily. “I had a great time being back home and I had a great time finally seeing Coach Henry in person again and he taught me a lot of great things. I saw a fast, physical, hard practice and everything else was great.”

Alston, who committed to the Irish back in December, has built a strong relationship with Henry, one that dates back to Henry’s previous stop.

“Coach Henry was recruiting me as a freshman at Illinois,” Alston said. “That’s how we knew each other.”

Seeing Henry coach in person only reinforced that connection.

“He’s a great guy,” Alston said. “He’s family-oriented. As soon as I stepped into his office, I felt his presence. I feel like he’s a great coach. 

“Being able to see him coach in person and him going to celebrate with the players, him coaching them if they made a bad play, I can definitely get behind that and I definitely want to be coached by that guy.”

That relationship has continued to grow since Henry arrived in South Bend.

“As soon as he got on campus, I was the first recruit that he called,” Alston said. “So that just meant a lot to me. Him saying how good I play film-wise and stuff like that, but I’m an even better person. So him just saying all those things and then me actually getting to see him coaching and stuff like that, I feel like both of us just clicked.”

Alston also spent time with head coach Marcus Freeman during the visit, continuing a relationship that has been a key part of his recruitment.

“My chats with Coach Freeman were great, like always,” Alston said. “When we get into his office, me and my family always have a great conversation with him because it’s not all about football. He talks about life with us or how he can build us as men. I just love everything he says. I think he’s the best head coach in the country.”

The visit also gave Alston a chance to spend time with other 2027 recruits, including linebacker commit Amarri Irvin.

“I feel like it was great,” Alston said. “Just building that connection in the 2027 class and seeing who you’re going to be up there with was real important. I feel like we all clicked. We all had fun up there and I feel like our class is going to be real dangerous.

He also spent time getting in the ear of top defensive back target Zayden Gamble.

“We clicked as well,” Alston said of himself and the Florida DB. "I feel like he’s a great player, so we’re working on that right now.”

Other programs have continued to pursue Alston despite his pledge, but the visit only reinforced his decision.

“100 percent,” Alston said of the strength of his commitment to Notre Dame.

“1,000 percent. I’m shutting down my recruitment.”

Want the latest scoop on the Fighting Irish? Sign up for our newsletter and become an ISD Premium Subscriber: Sign Up for ISD

Under Armour Navy Notre Dame Fighting Irish Golf Leprechaun Fleece Hoodie