Notre Dame Makes Major Impression On 2027 S John Gay III
It’s safe to say Notre Dame made a strong first impression on John Gay III.
“If I had a kid, I would want my kid to go there,” the 2027 Florida safety told Irish Sports Daily after his first visit to South Bend this weekend.
Gay made the trip to campus for the first time and came away with a clear sense of what the program has to offer, both on and off the field.
“Everything was great,” he said. “I enjoyed my time up there.”
Gay spent time with multiple members of the staff, including defensive backs coach Aaron Henry, safeties coach Jevaughn Codlin and assistant Shaun Shivers while also getting a chance to connect with players.
“I got to eat dinner with some of the players and the coaches,” he said. “I was able to watch the scrimmage and go on the campus tour. I liked everything about it.”
Those interactions helped reinforce the message Notre Dame has been delivering since extending an offer earlier this year.
“They were saying I would be a piece of their defense and that my versatility would be great,” he said.
That vision, combined with the personalities within the program, stood out to Gay.
“They’re great people actually,” he said of the coaches. “They’re bigger than football. They teach you life lessons. Everything is not just about football. Everything is about life and beyond football and just life in general.”
The Chaminade-Madonna standout also felt he could fit in within the locker room.
“Definitely,” he said. “They were some cool guys.”
The Hollywood, Fla., native has been active on the visit trail this spring, making stops at Miami, Michigan, Missouri, Georgia, California and Alabama, but indicated this trip to Notre Dame will be his final unofficial visit and potentially his final visit at all before making a decision.
“We’re just going to see where it takes us,” he said. “I plan on committing soon, so Notre Dame is definitely one of my top schools.”
He initially planned to take some official visits and had already scheduled a handful, but his timing has changed and he said he could have a decision within the next couple of weeks.
Programs like Texas Tech, Miami, Michigan, Missouri, Purdue and Indiana have also been involved throughout the process, but the impression made in South Bend has clearly put the Irish in a strong position early.
“I feel like if I go up there, I’m going to be in great hands.”
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