"Notre Dame was the best atmosphere I’ve seen" - 2019 DE Colt Ellison

Notre Dame continued to build its defensive end board on Tuesday as 2019 Aledo (Texas) defensive end Colt Ellison‍ added an offer from the Irish. 

The 6-foot-4, 235-pounder had heard from defensive line coach Mike Elston earlier in the week and got the good news on Tuesday afternoon.

“Coach Elston and I talked on Monday, and he said he was going to talk to the defensive coordinator,” Ellison told Irish Sports Daily. “He told me to call him on Tuesday, and he let me know I had an offer.

“I was amazed because Notre Dame is one of the best schools in the nation academically and in football. It doesn’t get any better than that.” 

The four-star prospect is already familiar with Notre Dame as Ellison was in South Bend in October to see the Irish roll over USC 49-14. 

“The atmosphere at Notre Dame was the best I’ve seen,” stated Ellison. “The leprechaun had its little dances and doing pushups in the stands. That was awesome.” 

Ellison is quietly building a solid offer list as Arkansas, Baylor, Houston, Illinois, Minnesota, Northwestern, Oklahoma State, Penn State, TCU, Texas Tech and Utah are a few of the programs that have already offered him. 

New Arkansas head coach Chad Morris recently hosted his first big recruiting weekend of the year and Ellison came away very impressed.  

“They're going to get better, and they’re rebuilding,” Ellison said. “I think they’ll be good in a couple of years. I think it’d be cool to be part of the change from where they’ve been to where they’re going if I was to go there.

“I went there last Saturday. It was a great visit. All the coaches were fired up to have everyone down there. Chad Morris was having a great time with the photoshoots.” 

When it comes to the in-state programs, Ellison’s dream school growing up was Texas as he watched Colt McCoy become a legend. 

“I’ve heard a lot from Texas, but they haven’t offered me,” Ellison stated. “I haven’t really heard from Texas A&M yet.”

Elston didn’t elaborate too much on where he saw Ellison fitting in at Notre Dame, but the Aledo standout believes it would be at defensive end.  

“For the most part everyone wants me at defensive end,” he explained. “Texas said they were looking at me at linebacker, tight end or fullback because they run a 3-4. They’d like to have me at linebacker.” 

Ellison will now turn his attention to making some unofficial visits and setting dates for his official visits. 

“I’m sure I’ll take a couple of official visits, but I haven’t set any dates,” said Ellison. “I want to get up to Notre Dame soon.

“I’m looking for a school that will set me up academically. After college, I want to get a great job. On the football side, I want to have a great connection with the coaches. I want to be in a cool town, but I want to win too.”