NEWARK, N.J. - Tahj Gray already had plenty of reasons to see Notre Dame as one of his top schools.
The commitment of his close friend Jackson Vaughn only strengthened the Irish’s position.
The 2028 New Jersey linebacker was in attendance here at the Prudential Center on Tuesday to support Vaughn as the Bergen Catholic standout announced his commitment to Notre Dame. During the ceremony, Vaughn specifically called out Gray when asked who he planned to begin recruiting immediately for the Irish.
Hearing that, but more importantly seeing his friend take a major step on a journey the two have been taking together struck Gray.
“It means a lot,” Gray told Irish Sports Daily afterward. “Just seeing what we go through because just hanging out at his house, it’s not just hanging out. We work out all the time.”
Gray and Vaughn’s relationship has been built through competition and common work behind the scenes.
“Just seeing the grind that we put through together and just seeing him excel, it’s a blessing,” the St. Joseph Regional standout said. “I just thank God that he brought us, me and Jackson, together to compete and have love for each other and just have fun.”
Appropriately dressed for the occasion with a fresh new Notre Dame tee, Gray acknowledged Vaughn’s commitment absolutely impacts how he views the Irish moving forward.
“No doubt,” Gray said when asked if Vaughn’s pledge makes Notre Dame more appealing.
Notre Dame has already positioned itself strongly with Gray following multiple visits to South Bend over the last year.
The four-star linebacker picked up his Notre Dame offer during Irish Invasion last summer before returning for Junior Day earlier this spring. During that March trip, Gray came away impressed by Notre Dame’s culture, defensive scheme and emphasis on life after football.
“I like that they’re big on life after football,” Gray said. “That’s really important to me when picking a school.”
Notre Dame’s defensive structure also continues standing out because of how the Irish utilize their linebackers’ versatility.
“The scheme of their defense, what they do with their linebackers, bringing them down on the edge,” Gray explained. “That’s a big part of my playing style so I feel like I would really fit there.”
Gray continues to point toward the overall atmosphere surrounding the program whenever discussing Notre Dame.
“I just love the hospitality,” Gray said of his visits. “It was just great overall. The campus is great.”
The 6-foot-3, 225-pounder is certain he’ll be back in South Bend over the coming months.
“I’ll try to go back there in the summer, try to come out for a game for sure,” Gray said. “I definitely need to see what it’s like up there in South Bend for a game.”
Gray also mentioned Texas A&M, Ohio State, Auburn and South Carolina as schools he hopes to visit moving forward.
For now, Gray is still taking a patient approach to the overall process and doesn’t appear to be in a rush to narrow things further or make a final decision.
“This time next year is good.”
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