Carson Adkins arrived at Notre Dame this weekend hoping to begin building a relationship with Irish offensive line coach Joe Rudolph.
The 2028 Ohio offensive lineman left South Bend believing that relationship could eventually lead to an offer.
Adkins made the trip from Newark, Ohio for Notre Dame's home opener against Rice on Saturday.
The 6-foot-6, 305-pounder participated in the pregame meal, walked through the tunnel and got his first opportunity to meet Rudolph before watching the Irish play.
Afterward, Adkins joined the team in the locker room and heard from Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman.
"The game was sweet," Adkins told Irish Sports Daily. "Then after the game, we went into the locker room, listened to Coach Freeman. It was good."
But getting to know Rudolph was one of the most important parts of the visit given how recently Notre Dame has begun pursuing Adkins.
"I really like him a lot," Adkins said. "I just think he's personable. He seems like a good teacher, a good coach."
Rudolph made it clear that the interest is legitimate.
"Obviously they reached out just a little bit ago," Adkins said. "He really likes my film. He wants to keep building a relationship and see where it goes."
Notre Dame hasn't offered Adkins yet, but the Ohio native already has an impressive collection of options. Auburn, Indiana, Kentucky, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ole Miss, Penn State, Pitt, Rutgers, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech and Wisconsin are among the schools that have offered.
When asked whether the Irish had given him any indication that an offer could eventually come, the Licking Valley High School standout said it was a possibility if the relationship continues progressing. That’s a development he would certainly welcome.
"I would be really excited about that," he said. "Obviously they're a historic program that's run really well. They've got a lot of good things going."
Adkins came to South Bend already intrigued by Notre Dame.
"I'm excited," he told ISD prior to the trip. "I've always loved Notre Dame."
The next step is simply continuing to communicate with Rudolph and the Notre Dame staff while Adkins continues getting around the country this fall. He's scheduled to visit Ole Miss for its game against LSU next weekend, with trips to Penn State for USC, Indiana, Ohio State, Texas A&M and Texas also on the schedule.
He expects to narrow his recruitment sometime next summer. When that time comes, he's already identified what will separate the schools that remain under consideration.
"I would just say just how I feel like I fit in, the culture, my relationship with the coaches.”
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