Tahj Gray's fall schedule may make another trip to Notre Dame difficult, but the 2028 New Jersey linebacker already knows he'll be back in South Bend eventually.
After two previous visits and continued communication with linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary, Gray remains intrigued by the Irish as his recruitment moves forward.
Gray has stayed in touch with Jean-Mary throughout the summer, including a conversation while the St. Joseph Regional High School standout was in the Dominican Republic.
"When I went to Dominican Republic, Coach BJ, he reached out," Gray said. "Had a pretty good talk for a little bit."
Jean-Mary used the conversation to check on how Gray was doing and reiterate Notre Dame's desire to get him back to campus.
"He was just saying, ‘Yeah, we got to get you down there for the game,’" Gray recalled. "He asked me how I've been and how school and practice has been going."
Gray has enjoyed getting to know Jean-Mary since he took over the Irish linebackers this offseason.
"Coach BJ's a great guy," the 6-foot-3, 225-pounder said. "He definitely knows what he's talking about. He's there to lead guys and turn guys into great players."
Getting Gray back to South Bend for a game may prove more difficult than either side would prefer.
St. Joseph Regional plays most of its games on Saturdays and Gray has already committed to visiting Ohio State for its game against Illinois. He’s seriously considering Tennessee and some other schools, leaving limited opportunities to fit Notre Dame into his fall schedule.
Still, the Montvale, N.J., native isn't completely ruling out the possibility.
"I think it's possible to get down there," he said.
If a game-day visit doesn't work, Gray is certain he'll return afterward.
"Most definitely," he said.
Gray already has a strong understanding of Notre Dame after earning his offer while camping at Irish Invasion in 2025 and returning for Junior Day this spring.
His next trip would provide an opportunity to reconnect with Jean-Mary in person and see some of the changes around the program.
"Definitely looking forward to the new facilities that they just put up," Gray said. "I've been seeing a couple videos from there. It just looks amazing. So just look forward to getting down there, seeing that, and definitely chatting with Coach BJ a little bit more."
Jean-Mary isn't the only person encouraging Gray to return.
2027 edge Jackson Vaughn has been recruiting his close friend since he committed to Notre Dame in May, and apparently isn't subtle about it.
"He's definitely been around," Gray said. "He definitely brings it up almost every time we talk."
Vaughn's pitch is straightforward.
"You got to get down there, man," Gray said of Vaughn's message. "It's a beautiful place."
Gray and Vaughn regularly work out together and have developed a close relationship away from recruiting. Gray understands he'll ultimately have to make his own decision, but acknowledged having Vaughn at Notre Dame could carry some weight.
"That would be a pretty good impact, just knowing that the chemistry will most likely definitely be there," Gray said. "We work together, work out together.
"Just in general, just knowing that a guy that I know is there and guys from Jersey are there, just knowing I'm not alone in this. So it's just good knowing that he's down there."
Gray remains in no rush to make a final decision, but he already has a clear idea of what will separate schools as he continues evaluating his options.
"Definitely coach-to-player relationship. Definitely an opportunity, trying to get on the field as soon as possible, getting a big impact really. And just how the program has developed and seeing the development that has come from the program."
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