Julian Bruno has spent the last couple months building his relationship with Notre Dame from across the country.
This fall, the 2028 California linebacker will finally get a chance to experience the Irish for himself.
Bruno is set to visit South Bend for Notre Dame's Nov. 7 game against Miami, a trip the 6-foot-1, 225-pounder has been hoping to make since receiving his offer in July.
The Grant Union High School standout has remained in weekly contact with Notre Dame linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary and Director of Recruiting Carter Auman.
"They’ve both been showing me a lot of love and just keeping that relationship going," Bruno told Irish Sports Daily. "Coach BJ has been really consistent with me, checking in and talking football, and I can tell he really believes in me as a player.
"Carter has also been great and makes me feel like they genuinely want me to be a part of the program."
The Sacramento, Calif., native has been particularly impressed by the way the Irish are looking at him as more than just a football player.
"They’re real people, they care about their players, and they’re building a relationship with me beyond just football," he said.
Bruno's November trip will give him his first opportunity to evaluate those relationships in person.
"I'm really excited to finally get out to South Bend and experience Notre Dame in person, especially for a big game like Miami," he said. "I want to see what the atmosphere is like, meet more of the coaches and players, and really get a feel for the culture."
Since receiving his Notre Dame offer, Bruno has wanted to learn more about how he’d be used within the Irish’s scheme.
"I’m also looking forward to seeing how they use their linebackers and learning more about where I could fit into their defensive system," he said. "I just want to take everything in and see if Notre Dame feels like the right place for me."
Notre Dame is one of several programs Bruno intends to see this fall as well as USC, Cal, Arizona State, Arizona, Michigan, Washington, SMU and Oregon State.
That stretch could prove pivotal as Bruno hopes to shorten his list at some point during the season, with a commitment potentially following before the end of the season, but he won’t force one before he’s ready.
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