2028 TE Theo Schott Returning To Notre Dame As Recruitment Takes Shape

Theo Schott‍ has been to Notre Dame enough times to know what the Irish have to offer.

This weekend, the 2028 Indiana tight end will return to South Bend as he gets closer to deciding which schools will receive most of his attention moving forward.

Schott has made multiple trips to Notre Dame, including a stop for Irish Invasion this summer. This visit will give the Zionsville High School standout another opportunity to spend time with the Irish staff and potentially get his first look at the program's new football facility.

“Just to continue building relationships with the staff,” Schott said of what he's looking forward to. “I think there's going to be less recruits at this game, so I'll get to spend more time with the staff.

“Hopefully see the new facility, that'll be cool to see, and just overall spend some more time around the team and continuing that process.”

The 6-foot-4, 210-pounder has remained in regular communication with Notre Dame in recent months.

Director of Recruiting Carter Auman has been Schott's primary contact, while offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Mike Denbrock and assistant tight ends coach Harris Bivin have also remained heavily involved. Schott occasionally hears from head coach Marcus Freeman as well.

“It's been great,” Schott said. “I've had many talks with Carter, the main recruiter guy I talk with, and then I talk with Bivin and Denbrock a lot, and occasionally with Coach Freeman. We always have good talks.”

Schott has developed an especially comfortable relationship with Auman.

“He's a great guy,” Schott said. “He's funny. He calls me ‘The Schott Caller’ every time he calls me, which is funny.

“We communicate a lot. Just been communicating about the games I've been wanting to come to and just kind of that back and forth stuff. He's been keeping me involved with the staff, which is nice.”

His conversations with Denbrock and Bivin have focused largely on Schott's junior season and getting him back to South Bend this fall.

“I feel like whenever we talk, we only have great conversations,” he said.

There isn't necessarily one specific aspect of Notre Dame that continues bringing Schott back. Instead, it's the overall fit.

“I'd say everything about it,” he said. “It's close to home, which is always a plus. Great staff. They have a great culture. Obviously have a history of tight ends. It kind of marks a lot of the boxes that you're looking for in a school.

“I'd say I definitely want to keep the relationship building and see where the whole process goes.”

Notre Dame is getting Schott back to campus during an important stretch of his recruitment.

He has already visited Ohio State this fall for the Buckeyes' game against Illinois and plans to visit Indiana, Oregon and Vanderbilt. Iowa and Texas Tech are also possibilities.

Once those visits are complete, Schott expects to take a significant step toward narrowing his recruitment.

“I would say after these visits I will definitely narrow my list down to maybe a Top 3 or 5 that I kind of just want to pour all of my time and efforts into,” he said. “That will help me get to my final decision.”

Schott isn't putting a firm deadline on that decision.

The upcoming visits could accelerate the process enough for him to decide late this year or early next year, but he doesn't intend to force himself into a timetable.

“These games will definitely be a big factor in making a decision in the future, but maybe sometime late this year, early next year, maybe,” he said.

“I don't know. I'm not trying to force it or anything. Definitely, when the time is right, I'll make my decision, but I don't really have a time planned for it yet.”

Want the latest scoop on the Fighting Irish? Sign up for our newsletter and become an ISD Premium Subscriber: Sign Up for ISD

Notre Dame Fighting Irish Under Armour Core Icon Fleece Pullover Hoodie