Ryan Peterson already knows what Notre Dame's coaches think of him.
When the 2028 North Carolina linebacker visits South Bend in November, he'll be focused on learning much more about them.
The 6-foot-1, 220-pounder recently included Notre Dame in a Top 12 along with Missouri, NC State, South Carolina, USC, Michigan, Auburn, Tennessee, LSU, Texas A&M, Georgia and Florida.
The Hough High School standout isn't planning to make a decision anytime soon. Instead, he’ll use a busy fall visit slate to narrow his list down further in the months to come.
Notre Dame's place on that list is largely a reflection of the relationship Peterson has developed with linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary and the rest of the Irish staff.
"Just the staff, the aura about the squad," Peterson said. "Coach BJ and everybody, they all contact me a lot and they text me almost every day. We call a lot.
"They check up on me as not just a football player, but at the end of the day I'm a football player, but I'm a human first."
That relationship began in earnest in June when Jean-Mary called Peterson on the first day college coaches could directly contact 2028 prospects. Their introductory conversation lasted almost two hours and ended with Notre Dame extending an offer.
Jean-Mary already had connections around the Charlotte area, including a longstanding relationship with Peterson's defensive coordinator, which helped the two establish an immediate comfort level.
Their communication has been consistent since.
"They always tell me I've got to go see how it is up there," Peterson said. "I’m going to see how it is up there and I think I'm going to love it. How they see me as a player and how much they love my game and a lot of things.”
The Cornelius, N.C., native will get his first opportunity to experience Notre Dame in person when he visits for the Irish's Nov. 14 game against Boston College.
He already knows some of the things he'll be watching closely.
"Just to learn how Coach BJ coaches, how everybody responds to adversity and just seeing the culture and just getting to talk with the staff and talk with everybody," he said.
The Notre Dame stop will come toward the end of an extensive fall tour.
Peterson was at LSU on Saturday and is scheduled to be at Michigan next week, Georgia on Sept. 26, Texas A&M on Oct. 3, Florida on Oct. 10, Tennessee on Oct. 17, South Carolina on Oct. 24 and USC on Oct. 31 before heading to South Bend. He also plans to visit Auburn on Nov. 21 and return to Georgia on Nov. 28.
Once he's had an opportunity to make those trips, Peterson expects to trim his recruitment again rather than immediately moving toward a commitment.
The factors that helped Notre Dame make his Top 12 will also play a major role in determining which programs survive the next cut.
"Relationships. My relationship with the staff, just my overall fit and just the people around and the culture."
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