Maddox Weil saw something encouraging from Notre Dame's passing game Saturday.
Watching Micah Gilbert produce against Michigan State gave the 2028 Indiana wide receiver another reason to picture himself succeeding in the Irish offense.
“I thought Micah Gilbert had a good game, so seeing him and what he did, I was thinking I could perform like that there as well,” Weil told Irish Sports Daily.
Weil has become a familiar face in South Bend. The Northrop High School standout attended the Blue-Gold Game in April before returning for Notre Dame's Grill & Chill and Irish Invasion camp in June.
Saturday's 27-10 victory over Michigan State provided another opportunity to experience a Notre Dame gameday.
“It was definitely a good trip,” Weil said. “I'm glad I was able to make the trip back up there.”
The 5-foot-10, 170-pounder participated in the Player Walk before heading inside the stadium and eventually making his way to the field for pregame warmups. The atmosphere continued to stand out to Weil, who attended a Notre Dame game last season as well.
“I liked it a lot,” he said. “Fans are really into the game. They were really engaged the whole time, so it was good to see that.”
Weil paid close attention to what happened once the game started.
The Irish produced several explosive plays through the air, including a 61-yard completion from CJ Carr to Gilbert on the first offensive snap. Gilbert finished with eight receptions for 170 yards.
“I liked how they played,” Weil said. “They were throwing the ball a lot. They had some good explosive passing plays, so it was good to see that.”
Notre Dame's interest in Weil has been clear for months.
The Irish contacted him on June 15, the first day NCAA rules allowed coaches to directly communicate with 2028 prospects. Wide receivers coach Mike Brown and recruiting assistant Justice Bathas have remained in regular contact with Weil since then, consistently making sure he understands that he is one of their top targets.
Weil spent considerable time with Brown again Saturday, although their conversation wasn't centered solely on football or recruiting.
“I talked to Coach Brown a lot,” Weil said. “Just checking up on me really and then just talking about my life really.”
Weil holds offers from Ohio State, Alabama, Auburn, Indiana, Kentucky, Miami, Michigan, Penn State and Purdue, among others. He entered the fall with Notre Dame in a top group that also included Indiana and Ohio State.
Weil visited Michigan State earlier this season and plans to be at Ohio State next weekend. He also plans to visit Tennessee and Indiana later in the fall. Notre Dame won't have to wait long to get him back, either.
“I'm going back there for the Miami game,” Weil said. “Just continue evaluating and seeing what I like about them.”
Through it all, Weil continues to feel like a priority for the Irish
“I'm high on Notre Dame a lot. Definitely still feel like a priority to them and just watching them play, it was good to see them in action again.”
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