Notre Dame’s linebacker board remains one of the least defined groups in the 2027 class entering official visit season.
JT Austin is one of the prospects the Irish remain involved with as they search for clarity.
The 2027 Georgia linebacker has been communicating regularly with Notre Dame since a trip to South Bend last month and he still considers the Irish one of the top programs in his recruitment despite official visits already scheduled elsewhere.
“It’s still in the works,” Austin told Irish Sports Daily of a potential Notre Dame official visit. “They’re definitely a top option for sure.”
The Sandy Creek High School standout picked up his Notre Dame offer during a visit for the Blue-Gold Game and immediately connected with the Irish’s vision for his role.
“A lot of schools got me at edge,” Austin said during that visit. “But in their system, I can pass rush, I can also drop. It’s very good. I love it.”
That versatility continues standing out.
Notre Dame’s structure would allow the 6-foot-2, 210-pounder to operate in multiple roles defensively, something that still separates the Irish from many other programs pursuing him.
“I really appreciate the position that I feel simplifies things,” Austin said. “It’s really kept them as a top option.”
The relationships with linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary and assistant linebackers coach Tre Reader have also continued strengthening over the past few weeks.
“I talk to Coach Tre a lot,” he said. “I communicate with him a good bit.”
Reader’s message has been consistent.
“He wants to get me out there,” Austin said. “We’re still trying to figure out an OV.”
Austin currently has official visits scheduled to UNLV (June 5-7), Cincinnati (June 12-14) and Appalachian State (June 18-20), meaning Notre Dame may ultimately need to work creatively around the calendar if the Irish want to get him back on campus before a decision.
“I think that’s what we’re trying to figure out right now,” Austin said of the possibility of a midweek visit.
“I’ll stay in contact with them and we’ll see how it ends up shaking out.”
The Tyrone, Ga., native came away impressed not only with Notre Dame’s defensive vision, but also the overall atmosphere surrounding the program during his previous visit.
“Getting inside the stadium, that was a real moment,” Austin said. “To see the turnout for a spring game, the fan interaction, everything like that was amazing.”
Austin also pointed toward Notre Dame’s alumni culture as something that stood out immediately during the visit.
“When alumni come back, that speaks volumes,” he said.
If he does make it back to South Bend for an official visit, the focus would shift more toward seeing the day-to-day realities of life within the program.
“Just building that relationship deeper, seeing a lot more of what a day in life would look like out there in South Bend would be great,” Austin said.
A final decision is expected this summer.
“Probably sometime in July. Sometime before the season starts for sure.”
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