2028 DL Caleb Tucker Returning To Notre Dame With Irish Commit In His Ear

Caleb Tucker‍ doesn't need to wait until he gets back to Notre Dame this weekend to hear about what the Irish have to offer.

The 2028 Illinois defensive lineman gets plenty of that from Mount Carmel teammate and Notre Dame commit Roman Igwebuike.

Tucker will return to South Bend this weekend for another look at the Irish after attending a game at Notre Dame last season.

The 6-foot-5, 355-pounder isn't necessarily looking to answer any specific questions during the visit. He's already familiar with the program and has Igwebuike providing another perspective from inside his own locker room.

“I know my teammate has been telling me about the atmosphere and how it's been down there for him,” Tucker said.

Tucker is looking forward to experiencing that atmosphere again himself.

“I think it's going to be fun,” he said. “I get to see the Irish play again.”

Notre Dame has remained in regular contact with the Mount Carmel standout throughout the process. Defensive line coach Charlie Partridge has been a significant part of that effort, and Tucker has enjoyed the relationship they've developed.

“He's awesome,” Tucker said. “I get to communicate with him all the time. He's a great guy to be in touch with. He's a great coach in general, and I like how he keeps the relationship.”

Tucker can’t identify one particular aspect of Notre Dame that has kept him interested enough to return.

“Honestly, everything,” he said. “The coaching, the atmosphere, I like everything about it. It's a great place to be.”

The Irish have plenty of competition.

In addition to Notre Dame, Tucker has a lengthy offer sheet that includes Ohio State, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Texas, Florida, Penn State, Arizona State, Auburn, Illinois, Iowa, Louisville, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Oregon, Purdue, Syracuse, USC, Vanderbilt and Wisconsin among others. 

He's already used this fall to see several of those programs in person.

Tucker attended Texas' game at Ohio State and made a trip to Ole Miss for its game against LSU. He also saw Notre Dame from the opposite sideline when the Irish played at Purdue.

For now, Tucker isn't certain where he'll head after this weekend.

He is certain he isn't close to cutting down his list.

Tucker expects to remain open throughout the coming months before beginning to narrow his options sometime until springtime.

“I'm not narrowing my list down until probably late April, March,” he said.

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