Elite 2027 OL Albert Simien Talks Notre Dame, Officials & More
The battle for Albert Simien has already narrowed and is beginning to narrow even more.
Despite LSU’s in-state pull, Notre Dame continues looking like one of the schools best-positioned to potentially pull the elite offensive lineman out of Louisiana.
The 2027 Louisiana offensive lineman is entering the most important stretch of his recruitment with official visits coming up to Nebraska, Texas A&M and Notre Dame after already taking an official visit to LSU.
The next several weeks will be less about flashy recruiting pitches and more about the Sam Houston High School standout evaluating overall fit.
“Getting out there and seeing what players have kind of developed differently from how I saw them before,” Simien told Irish Sports Daily. “Seeing what changes have happened with their own process and seeing what coaches are up to.”
The Moss Bluff, La., native is also paying close attention to academics, culture and overall player support systems.
“Seeing if there’s any big caveats of the schools as a player being there academic-wise and social life,” Simien said.
Texas A&M continues standing out because of the relationships Simien has created throughout the process.
“Building those connections with the coaching staff up there and the players in the building and the recruiting class,” Simien said. “Just knowing all those people and them being people that it was like, ‘Yeah, I want to be around people like this.’”
The 6-foot-4, 285-pounder wants to learn more about how Texas A&M handles the transition from high school to college life both on and off the field.
“Seeing what system they have in place to help their players learn what they’ve got to do in the classroom and what’s going to help them on the field,” Simien explained.
LSU’s position in the race naturally carries a different dynamic because of the in-state ties and familiarity surrounding the program.
“LSU being in state, it’s pretty cool,” Simien said.
The four-star offensive lineman has also enjoyed building relationships with new LSU head coach Lane Kiffin and the revamped staff in Baton Rouge.
“Getting to talk to him, it was pretty cool to understand his whole why behind being a college football head coach,” Simien said of Kiffin.
Notre Dame, meanwhile, continues appealing heavily because of the academic side of the University and the long-term opportunities that come with it.
“Just the academic parts of it,” Simien said of what keeps Notre Dame high on his list. “Knowing that it’ll be a grind in the classroom.”
The Louisiana standout plans to major in Psychology and recently experienced firsthand the type of networking Notre Dame often sells recruits beyond football.
On the return flight from South Bend following his last visit, Simien unexpectedly found himself seated next to a Notre Dame professor involved with the university’s Real Estate program. Those conversations expanded beyond academics and into broader networking and career opportunities former Notre Dame players have found after football.
The relationships Simien has developed with 2026 Notre Dame offensive line signee Ben Nichols, 2027 commit Richie Flanigan and other Notre Dame offensive linemen have also helped reinforce the overall fit.
“I know there are a few recruits who I was there with, Richie and a few other o-line dudes,” Simien said. “I think Ben will be there when I’m there.”
Those interactions should become even more important during the upcoming official visit.
“Getting back with them and just having one-on-one conversations to really get a vibe of what that o-line room will be like when I’m there,” Simien said.
For now, Simien insists the race remains open entering the final stretch.
“I wouldn’t say anyone has an edge really because it’s kind of weaving through the information,” Simien said.
A final decision is expected after the official visit process concludes.
“It’ll be a tough decision. There’s no wrong choice. But without a doubt, once I make my decision, it'll be 100 percent I know for a fact myself that that's where I want to be and that's why I'm making that decision.”
Want the latest scoop on the Fighting Irish? Sign up for our newsletter and become an ISD Premium Subscriber: Sign Up for ISD
Notre Dame Fighting Irish 25" Solar Light Glow Post
