Notre Dame already had Jayden Beckley's attention.
The scholarship offer the 2028 New Jersey defensive lineman received last month simply gave him a reason to take a closer look at one of the schools he had been hoping would enter his recruitment.
"This was a very big offer right here," Beckley told Irish Sports Daily. "Notre Dame is a school I really like a lot. It's a school I've been trying to visit, so this is a big offer for me."
The offer came during a phone call with Notre Dame Director of Scouting DJ Bryant.
“He said he liked my film a lot and that he was looking forward to seeing me come on a visit this year,” Beckley said of Bryant.
Beckley, who recently transferred from Bergen Catholic to St. Peter's Prep, had already been intrigued by Notre Dame long before the offer arrived.
"Really, the education part of it," Beckley said when asked what first drew him to the Irish. "It's one of the best schools for education.
“I know the coaches are very good. They have a very good team. I've watched their games before, so I've seen that they have a really good defense that I think will fit me."
Bryant also left a strong first impression.
"He definitely knows what he's talking about," Beckley said. "I would definitely say he's knowledgeable."
The 6-foot-2, 290-pounder now hopes to make his first trip to South Bend later this year, though he has not finalized a date.
"I definitely will be coming down," Beckley said.
Notre Dame is expected to be one of the schools Beckley visits this fall as he continues evaluating an offer list that also includes Michigan, Penn State, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Rutgers, Pittsburgh, NC State, Syracuse, Vanderbilt and Boston College among others.
When he does, one meeting sits at the top of his priority list.
"I really just want to talk to the d-line coach and really see how he coaches," Beckley said of Irish defensive line coach Charlie Partridge.
"I'd like to see how the defense is run. I have not met him yet, so that would be one of the biggest things when I come down."
Although he has plenty of time before making a college decision, Beckley already knows the qualities he'll value most.
"How I believe the school can develop me, that's a big thing with me. Really how the situation around the school is, like the family energy there, how they help the players and how they are able to support them to be able to be the best people they can possibly be. That's a big thing for me."
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