Earnest Winters III may have gotten a sneak peek of his own future when he met Notre Dame safety Adon Shuler in South Bend last Saturday.
"That's just like meeting me five years down the road," the 2029 Illinois safety said of Shuler. "He plays just like me. He just perfected it way better."
The similarities Winters saw weren't limited to the field.
"Honestly, he kind of acts just like me too," Winters said. "He jokes just like me, everything."
Meeting Shuler was one of the highlights of Winters' trip to South Bend for the Irish’s home opener, which also gave the Cahokia High School standout an opportunity to spend time with several members of the Irish staff.
Winters toured the locker room and spent time with head coach Marcus Freeman, defensive backs coach Aaron Henry and safeties coach Jevaughn Codlin.
"It was a good experience," said Winters.
His interaction with Freeman left an impression.
"It was great," Winters said. "He was kind of inspirational."
Freeman told Winters he was looking forward to having him return to South Bend, while Henry and Codlin offered some encouraging feedback about how the Irish view the young safety.
"They told me just keep in touch and they're excited that I'm having my next visit and that I should be offered soon," Winters said.
For Winters, the message was another reason to continue doing what has already put him on the radar of several major programs.
"Just keep my head up and keep on working," he said.
Winters already owns offers from Penn State, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Iowa, among others.
Notre Dame has yet to join that group, but Winters hasn't been shy about how significant an Irish offer would be.
"Like I said last time, man, you think college football, you think Notre Dame."
Winters will have plenty of opportunities to continue exploring his options. He expects to visit Indiana this weekend after previously identifying Wisconsin, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa and Penn State among the schools he intends to see this fall.
Another Notre Dame visit is also in the plans as Winters hopes to lock in a return for the Miami game with recruiting assistant Justice Bathas soon.
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