2027 DB Notre Dame Target Karnell James Previews Official Visits

For months, people around Texas recruiting circles have viewed Notre Dame as one of the biggest threats to flip Karnell James‍.

Now the Irish are set to host the elite defensive back for an official visit next week as his process moves toward a summer decision.

The 2027 Texas defensive back remains committed to Texas, but Notre Dame, LSU, Ohio State and Oregon continue pushing hard to change that.

James currently has official visits scheduled to LSU (June 5), Notre Dame (June 12) and Texas (June 19).

For now, LSU continues standing out because of defensive backs coach Corey Raymond’s reputation and the Tigers’ longstanding track record developing defensive backs.

“I would say definitely Coach Raymond himself,” James told Irish Sports Daily of what he likes about LSU. “All the guys he puts in The League.”

The Manvel High School standout also acknowledged the Louisiana ties within his family.

“My dad being from New Orleans and stuff like that,” James said.

At the same time, James admitted LSU still has more to prove during the official visit because he has not spent significant time around the Tigers recently outside of a spring practice visit.

“Definitely seeing more of what the program’s about and how they go about things,” James said.

Notre Dame’s appeal has centered more around culture and relationships throughout the process.

“I’d definitely say that family aspect,” James said.

The 6-foot-1, 175-pounder pointed specifically toward Marcus Freeman as someone who stood out during his April unofficial visit to South Bend.

“Coach Freeman, he doesn’t seem like a head coach,” James said. “He really seems like a father figure and a huge mentor.”

James also came away impressed by the overall atmosphere Freeman has installed in Notre Dame’s program.

“It felt like you could talk to him and it’s a close-knit team,” James said. “You could tell they’re going to do great things.”

The Texas standout spent two days in South Bend during that trip and acknowledged the Irish already gave him something close to an official visit experience.

“They said they were going to treat it like an OV,” James said. “It definitely felt like one.”

That familiarity could help Notre Dame heading into June because James already feels comfortable with the overall structure of the program and doesn’t need to see anything new when he returns.

“The only difference this time would be putting on the jersey,” James said. “That’d be great.”

Texas has remained supportive throughout the process despite James openly exploring other options while still committed to the Longhorns.

“They’ve been handling it really well,” James said. “They encouraged me to take these visits to make sure Texas is where I want to be.”

James appreciated that approach and said the Longhorns view the additional attention from other programs as reassuring. 

“It kind of shows that they’re making the right decision,” he said.

A final decision is expected sometime in early to mid-July after the official visit process concludes.

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