2028 LB Cyrus Zuah Making Notre Dame A Priority

Notre Dame has quickly established itself as one of the schools recruiting Cyrus Zuah‍ the hardest.

For the 2028 Maryland linebacker, the Irish have separated themselves as much by how Brian Jean-Mary has recruited him as anything they’ve said about football.

“Notre Dame is one of the top schools recruiting me,” Zuah said. “I love Coach BJ. Coach BJ liked me as a person. Before he even offered me, he wanted to know more about me and not just who I am as an athlete.”

The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder from Mount Saint Joseph in Baltimore was offered by Notre Dame at the beginning of September. He also has offers from Boston College, Stanford and Virginia Tech and others.

The Irish, led by Jean-Mary and Director of Recruiting Carter Auman, have made it clear to Zuah that he is a priority in the Class of 2028.

“I talked to Coach BJ and Coach Carter,” he said. “Coach BJ's been trying to get me out there for real, for real.”

That trip will happen this fall, although Zuah wasn't certain which game he'll attend. He already knows what he wants to see when he gets to South Bend.

“I'm excited to see how the backers play and get to meet Coach BJ in person and see how he is,” Zuah said.

The visit will give Zuah an opportunity to evaluate Jean-Mary beyond the relationship they've developed through phone conversations.

“I really like Coach BJ as a coach,” he said. “I'm excited to come down there and see how he coaches.”

Auman has also helped the Irish establish themselves early in Zuah's recruitment.

“Carter's a good guy,” Zuah said. “He calls and checks up on me every now and then and puts me on the phone with all the coaches and lets me know how much they're recruiting me.”

Zuah has made just one gameday visit so far this fall, traveling to Michigan for the Wolverines' game against Western Michigan. He plans to make several more trips, with Notre Dame among the schools he wants to see.

“Notre Dame, Penn State and a couple other schools,” he said when asked where he hopes to visit before mentioning Auburn and Alabama as well. 

There is still plenty of time before Zuah will have to make a college decision, but he already has a clear idea of what will matter when that time comes.

“Coaching most importantly,” he said. “I want to go somewhere where I'm being developed. I want to go somewhere where I can be able to play for all four years.

“I'm not trying to be a guy that's in the portal, so I want to go somewhere where I know I'm able to play.”

Want the latest scoop on Notre Dame Football and Recruiting? Become an ISD Premium Subscriber and never miss the inside information. Sign Up for ISD

Notre Dame Fighting Irish Under Armour Sporting Leprechaun Motion Quarter-Zip