Ammar Banire went to Notre Dame last month wanting to get his first look at the Irish.
The 2028 Illinois running back saw enough to know there will be a second.
“The visit was great,” Banire said. “I loved the atmosphere and the energy, and I think everything about it was really nice.”
The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder was in South Bend for Notre Dame's game against Michigan State.
While on campus, the Oswego High School standout had an opportunity to connect with members of the Irish staff, including running backs coach Ja'Juan Seider.
“I just introduced myself and he said he likes my film,” Banire said of Seider. “He said he wanted to continue to see more of me.”
Banire then got an up-close look at the Irish running backs during the game.
“I think it was great,” he said of Notre Dame's running game. “They're very shifty and they can get through the holes.
“I was really keying in on them because obviously I'm a running back. So I was really trying to key in on them and learn what I could do better from watching them.”
But one of the most memorable parts of the trip came afterward, when Banire joined the Irish in the locker room.
“The locker room experience was just great,” he said. “I think that was one of my best parts of the night for sure.”
What stood out was relatively simple.
“I just think the energy was just there,” he said. “You could feel it.”
Banire already holds offers from Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas State, Northwestern and others after an impressive sophomore season and a summer that included a laser-timed 4.37-second 40-yard dash and a 38-inch vertical.
His fall travel schedule has also given him an opportunity to evaluate several programs. In addition to Notre Dame, Banire has been to Iowa, Iowa State, Illinois, Indiana and Northwestern. He also has an upcoming trip planned to Penn State.
And at some point, he’ll return to South Bend.
“I'm going to be back there again,” he said. “I'm not sure what date, but I know I’m definitely coming back.”
The next trip is expected to be different from his gameday visit, with Notre Dame wanting to get him inside the facility for a more complete tour and hopefully a better feel for the family feel within the locker room.
“I think the biggest thing that matters to me is definitely their brotherhood and family and their culture there,” he said. “Because once you get into school, after a while everything starts to die down, the building, the cool lights, everything.
“But then what really sticks with you is the brotherhood and who you have after college as well. So I think brotherhood and culture is a big, big thing.”
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