Jackson Coleman’s recruitment moved quickly toward the end.
Once the 2027 Colorado wide receiver got to South Bend and saw Notre Dame in person, the decision became much easier to make.
“I just thought it was the right fit for me with the academics, the football,” Coleman told Irish Sports Daily. “I thought it was the right fit and I loved everything about it.”
The Valor Christian standout announced his commitment to the Irish on Monday, giving Notre Dame its first receiver pledge in the Class of 2027 and adding a player the staff believes fits both the offense and the culture of the program.
For Coleman, the appeal started with the combination Notre Dame offers on and off the field.
“I think it's just the top-notch academics plus the five-star football,” he said. “It's just an awesome mixture of being excellent at both things.”
That balance helped separate the Irish, but so did the vision laid out by receivers coach Mike Brown.
Notre Dame sees Coleman as a big, vertical receiver capable of stretching the field and creating explosive plays, a role he quickly connected with during the recruiting process.
“I think Coach Brown and his ties with Alec Pierce,” Coleman said. “I think we have lots of similarities.”
Pierce, the former Cincinnati and current Indianapolis Colts receiver who played for Brown in college, even reached out personally before Coleman’s commitment.
“He reached out to me before I committed, saying that he worked with Coach Brown,” Coleman said. “I got to ask him a few questions and learned from him a little bit.”
That conversation, which was not coordinated by the Irish, carried weight considering how often Coleman had already heard the comparison between himself and Pierce throughout the process.
“It was definitely really cool,” Coleman said. “He’s an excellent player and just hearing from him after being compared to him by so many coaches, it was just an awesome experience.”
More importantly, the message reinforced what Coleman already believed about Brown’s ability to develop receivers.
“He talked about Coach Brown really developing him at Cincy,” Coleman said. “We watched the film on him before and after and it was a huge difference.”
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman also played a major role in the process.
“He played a big role,” Coleman said. “I think he’s an awesome person and a great coach and I’m excited to work with him for the next few years.
“I’m ecstatic. I can’t wait to get on campus and work. We’ve got a year, but now I’m excited.”
Coleman is expected back in South Bend for his official visit on June 12.
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