Jeremiah Figaro had already imagined what a Notre Dame offer would feel like.
The 2028 Massachusetts defensive end grew up hearing about the Irish from his family and previously told Irish Sports Daily that if Notre Dame ever offered, it would immediately become a school of serious interest.
On Tuesday, that offer arrived.
And even after adding dozens of scholarship opportunities over the past several months, this one feels a little different.
"It’s huge," Figaro told Irish Sports Daily. "That's another level of big-time offers. That's just top. That's the top of the top."
The offer came after Figaro competed in front of Notre Dame's coaching staff during a camp in South Bend on Tuesday. When the workout concluded, the 2028 prospect was told to stick around.
"They told me, 'You should stay back for a little bit,'" Figaro said.
The 6-foot-5, 200-pounder was brought to the players' lounge before eventually meeting with defensive line coach Charlie Partridge and head coach Marcus Freeman.
Freeman delivered the news personally.
"He talked for a little bit and was like, 'You look like a kid we would love here and who wants to be here,'" Figaro recalled. "And we want to offer you a scholarship."
Figaro was a little stunned.
"Honestly, I was shocked," he said. "I just said thank you so much."
He immediately called one of Freeman’s biggest fans.
"I FaceTimed my mom," Figaro said. "I know my mom loves him, so I wanted to tell my mom first."
The offer represents another major milestone in what has been one of the fastest-rising recruitments in the Northeast.
Figaro began attracting significant attention after moving from wide receiver and tight end to defensive end midway through last season. Since then, he has transferred to Dexter Southfield, reclassified from 2027 to 2028 and seen his offer sheet explode.
Nebraska, Tennessee, North Carolina, UCLA, Texas Tech, Maryland, Illinois, Rutgers, Syracuse, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech, Wisconsin and Wake Forest are among the programs that have offered recently.
Notre Dame now joins that group.
After experiencing Notre Dame firsthand, Figaro understands why the Irish have such a strong reputation.
"Honestly, after visiting today, it was just crazy," Figaro said. "It showed so much about them and how it's not all about football. It's about life after football too."
That message resonated because it aligned almost perfectly with what Figaro has consistently said he wants in a program.
"Coach Freeman barely talked about football when we were in the meeting," Figaro explained. "I'd say 95 percent of it was just about life outside of football. That just speaks volumes to me because you care about what I'm going to do after my playing career."
Notre Dame's coaches also made it clear why they believe Figaro has such a high ceiling as a defensive prospect.
"What I showed them was my get-off for sure," Figaro said. "My get-off and the way I can bend and how I can move fluidly, especially for someone so big. Some people my height don't really move well and I can show that I can move well."
Partridge's coaching style stood out as well.
"It was awesome," Figaro said. "He taught me a lot today. Some coaches will have these camps and they won't really coach you up. They just go through the motions. But with him, he was really coaching me up and trying to get me better. That really stood out to me. He was awesome. Great energy. Great guy. Great coach."
Figaro wants to get back to South Bend for a game day atmosphere and is already eyeing games against Miami and Boston College as possibilities.
"They say it's crazy out there," Figaro said. "I want to experience it for myself."
Before then, Figaro will continue a busy summer schedule with trips to Florida and Rutgers.
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