“My name is Aidan O'Neil. I’m Irish. I’m Catholic.”
And as of this morning, he’s a member of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
“I think it makes a lot of sense,” the 2027 New Jersey defensive end told Irish Sports Daily prior to announcing his commitment to Notre Dame on Friday morning.
O’Neil’s decision gives the Irish their 11th verbal pledge in the class and the first along the defensive line.
“The support around me as a football player and a student and the culture is like no other,” he said. “The academic prowess of this school, I couldn't say no.”
O’Neil chose Notre Dame over a host of other offers, including finalists Kentucky and Penn State, capping a recruitment where the fit between player and program consistently stood out.
“It was really the coaches and the people there and the academic history they’ve got there,” said O’Neil, who visited South Bend back in March.
“I couldn't go wrong with Notre Dame.”
The Don Bosco Prep standout had been trending toward the Irish in recent weeks, but once the decision was made, the emotion behind it was immediate.
The 6-foot-5, 250-pounder brings the size and physical profile Notre Dame covets on the edge, along with a mentality that aligns with how the staff envisions its defensive front moving forward.
“Notre Dame gets 11 wins every year at least, and they’re itching for a great defensive end to come in,” he said.
That opportunity to make an early impact was part of the appeal, but so was the willingness to embrace whatever role is asked of him. O’Neil is being brought in as an end because of his athleticism, but he has the frame to add more weight and potentially move inside.
“I’ll do whatever the coaches need me to do,” he said.
O’Neil now becomes the first piece of what Notre Dame hopes will be a strong defensive line haul in the 2027 cycle.
He isn’t exactly sure if the Irish want him to start recruiting other players now or exactly who that would be, but he’s ready to take on that role if asked.
“I’ll try to get the whole entire freaking country to come to Notre Dame,” he laughed. “I think it’s a great place you’ve got to see for yourself. The rich history of this place is just like no other.”
For now, he’s going to enjoy the end of his own recruitment.
“I’m so relieved. I’m so happy.”
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