Notre Dame immediately jumped up Luke Nabors’ list when the Irish offered the 2028 Georgia defensive end in June.
Consistent communication since then has only increased his interest, and Nabors will get his first look at South Bend on Sept. 19.
The 6-foot-4, 202-pounder has locked in a visit for Notre Dame's game against Michigan State after continuing to hear from the Irish even as the coaching staff works through preseason.
"I've been hearing from them all throughout camp," Nabors said. "I think that's pretty cool to be honest. I'm seeing a lot of universities wrapped up in camp, they're kind of focused on the players and that's understandably so.
"But I'm just constantly hearing from the whole d-line staff and the GMs and player personnel and all of that stuff. I've been locking in a visit there throughout this process. I've just been hearing from them constantly, so it's important for real."
That attention has only added to the significance Notre Dame already carried for the Buford High School standout.
Nabors grew up in the Chicago area cheering for the Irish and described Notre Dame as his "childhood dream school" after receiving his offer from defensive line coach Charlie Partridge in June.
His September visit will give Nabors his first opportunity to experience the program in person.
When he does, the Buford, Ga., product will be paying particularly close attention to Partridge's defensive line.
"I've been seeing some of the film from the d-line, but I just want to see them get after that quarterback really," Nabors said. "I've been hearing a lot of good things about Notre Dame from the internet, but I just want to see them go outside and play some hard-nosed football, which I know they're going to play that.
"Just knowing Notre Dame, they always play a good level of football, so I'm excited to see it."
The amount of attention and the number of people involved have helped the Irish secure his interest.
"It's a surreal feeling," he said. "You get all this attention, especially from a school like Notre Dame, and it's definitely important to me. Hearing from all those coaches, a lot of universities don't do that.
"Them taking the time out and them contacting me, that definitely moves them higher on my list just off of that."
Nabors has an extensive offer sheet that includes Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M and USC among several others.
He isn't ready to narrow that list just yet, but expects that process could begin relatively soon.
"I don't have an exact date in mind, but I wouldn't say it's too long," Nabors said. "Maybe towards the end of my season. So around October, November, something like that."
For now, Nabors' primary focus is on his junior season at Buford.
The Wolves went 15-0 and captured a Georgia state championship as well as some national championship accolades in 2025. Nabors understands the expectations that come with that success, but doesn't want his teammates spending much time thinking about what they accomplished a year ago.
"We've got a lot of attention coming from last season, but right now it's just everything in the past is done and we're just trying to focus on this season and complete the mission," Nabors said. "And that's to make it to the state championship. However we got to do it, but the best way will be to go undefeated just like we did last year."
Nabors believes Buford has the talent to make another run, provided everyone embraces their role.
"We're going to need a lot of players who are going to be willing to step up in moments that we're going to need them," he said. "Really if all 11 players do their job, we won't have anything to worry about.
"We have talent all the way around the field, but we don't need any guys trying to go and do stuff out of their body. I think we have a lot of the pieces and have everything we need for the team to be as great as we can."
As Nabors eventually turns more of his attention toward making a college decision, he already has a clear idea of what will matter.
"Honesty is the biggest factor," he said. "Just knowing that the coaching staff is going to stay around and that I'm hearing from them constantly. I want to be able to see myself in that scheme going into college, seeing myself early in that and then I can just develop into a player more.
"I just want to see myself being in that scheme, the honesty and just a relationship. A relationship outside of just football is big for that too."
Want the latest scoop on Notre Dame Football and Recruiting? Sign up for our newsletter and become an ISD Premium Subscriber: Sign Up for ISD
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Under Armour Golf Leprechaun Fleece Hoodie
