2020 KY LB Enjoys Notre Dame, Hopes To Return

Jaylyn Allen‍ got his first look at Notre Dame last weekend and it’s likely to be the first of multiple trips to South Bend before the 2020 Kentucky linebacker’s recruiting process is complete.

“It was great,” the 6-foot-1, 220-pounder said. “I really enjoyed it.”

The Paintsville, Ky., native’s recruiting process is still in the early stages, but he’s already drawing attention from schools like Notre Dame, USC, Kentucky and Louisville among others.

His time in South Bend made a big impression.

“We got there and they showed us around the complex,” Allen explained. “I really enjoyed it. It was a good experience.

“I loved it. I felt like they showed they care about the players. It was a good experience.”

He was certainly impressed with the atmosphere in and around Notre Dame Stadium.

“It was like nothing I’ve ever seen,” the Paintsville High School standout said. “It was amazing. They actually told me they sell out every home game and I was amazed by it.”

He also liked what he saw from the Irish on the field during their 48-37 win over Wake Forest.

“It was amazing,” the sophomore standout said. “Everybody was going at it, no slowing down. The tempo was always up. The coaches were loving it, the players were loving it.”

While on campus, he had a chance to speak with Notre Dame linebackers coach Clark Lea, who is from Nashville, which is just over Kentucky’s southern border.

“He was just telling me he’s from the area and to keep working and sending him my film and to ball out,” Allen said of Lea.

Allen plans on visiting Kentucky when the Wildcats host Louisville in a couple weeks and definitely wants to return to Notre Dame in the future.

“I hope to come back up there sometime,” he said. “I really enjoyed it. I’m just going to keep working on my game and hopefully they’ll invite me back up so I get to talk to more of them.”

One thing is for sure, Allen isn’t going to be scared of playing football on the biggest stage at a place like Notre Dame or USC.

“Nah,” Allen laughed.

In fact, he’s likely to seek out that kind of stage.

“I feel like I could do big things there,” he said.

Respect will also play a big role in his decision.

“I want them to show me the same respect I’m going to give to them. I want them to help me develop in my game and not just on the field, but off the field as a man.”