Geordan McKnight will be back at Notre Dame next week and the Irish staff has been spending time making sure the 2028 Ohio safety knows he is wanted in the meantime.
Defensive backs coach Aaron Henry stopped by Pickerington North during the bye week while McKnight talks with Henry and safeties coach Jevaughn Codlin every week. The message has stayed consistent.
"Just keep balling like I'm balling," McKnight told Irish Sports Daily. "They want me to be there and they just like our relationship. They want to keep up with our relationship."
The attention matters.
"It means a lot to me," McKnight said. "I appreciate it a lot. I'm very grateful for it because they don't have to do that, so I'm very grateful that they do do that."
McKnight has been getting to know the staff since June, when he earned his Notre Dame offer with a camp workout. Head coach Marcus Freeman, a fellow Ohio native, and McKnight hit it off right away, and McKnight returned to South Bend in September for the Michigan State game to see how the coaches worked with their own players on a game day.
"There are a lot of schools that you could just go ball out and go to The League, but Notre Dame separates themselves by also giving you more opportunities than the rest of the schools," McKnight said after the Michigan State visit. "Off-the-field stuff after you graduate, after sports."
In addition to the Irish, the 5-foot-11, 180-pounder holds offers from Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Florida, Alabama, Texas and USC among others, with close to 30 schools on his list in all.
He has had a busy fall, attending Ohio State's season-opener and a game at Texas before the Michigan State visit, followed by trips to USC, UCLA, Penn State and Tennessee. He will visit Indiana this weekend before heading back to South Bend for the showdown against the Hurricanes.
He expects the Miami game to deliver.
"Great game atmosphere," McKnight said. "Great game in general. Two great teams playing against each other."
McKnight could narrow his list and decide anytime between December and his official visits, but he knows he wants to be committed before next season. He also knows what the decision will come down to, and it starts with the people and the fit.
"Where I have the best relationship coach-wise and also scheme-wise. Where can I really see myself playing? What scheme can I see myself playing? What coaches can I see myself playing for? It'll really be a mix of all those things that me and my circle really sit down and talk about."
