Elite 2019 RB Jerrion Ealy Intrigued By Notre Dame Offer

On Tuesday, 2019 Jackson Prep (Miss.) running back Jerrion Ealy‍ was caught off guard when he received the news of an offer from Notre Dame. 

The 5-foot-9, 195-pounder committed to Ole Miss in December, but the offer from the Irish definitely caught his attention. 

“It was a surprise,” Ealy told Irish Sports Daily. “It honestly came out of nowhere. I hadn’t talked to Notre Dame at all this year. It was a good surprise.

“What made it even more surprising was they even came down on Wednesday to check on me.”

Offensive coordinator Chip Long was the Notre Dame coach to swing by Jackson Prep, and the four-star prospect is looking forward to getting to know the Irish staff. 

“We can’t talk, so I don’t really have an impression of Coach Long,” explained Ealy. “I just want to get to know the coaching staff right now and learn a little bit more about Notre Dame. I want to learn about the offense and the atmosphere. I need to get up to a game.” 

Ealy has put up some eye-popping numbers over his prep career as he has rushed for 3,610 yards, 60 touchdowns and averages 9.2 yards per carry. 

He believes having a complete game is the reason for his success, but he also is working to shore up the finer points of the running back position. 

“I can catch the ball out of the backfield,” said Ealy. “I’m a good outside runner and a linebacker's nightmare.

“We don’t have many designed runs up the middle, so I don’t run up the middle a lot. I don’t have a big stature, so I might not run up the middle that much in college. I also need to improve my pass blocking, footwork and ball security. You can always improve ball security.”

As for Notre Dame, it’s very evident on film he would fit into Long’s offensive scheme, and Ealy will give the Irish a shot. 

“Location doesn’t play any part in my decision making on where I go to school,” stated Ealy “Home is home. It doesn’t matter where home is. If Notre Dame feels like home to me, then I could go to Notre Dame.” 

Despite being from Mississippi and committing to Ole Miss, Ealy remained adamant it wasn’t about distance, but rather a feeling of comfort and a little bit of state pride. 

“I felt like it was the right decision for me, right now,” Ealy explained. “Not that location plays a part, but it’s close to home, and I’m in my home state. It’s basically a kid’s dream to play for his home state. 

“At the time, they fit me perfectly. They still fit me now and I’m committed, but I want to make sure this is really where I want to go. I’ll be there the next four years, but the rest of my life, I’ll be affiliated with this university.” 

On Tuesday, Ealy came out with a Top 10 of Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Michigan, Mississippi State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Texas and USC, but that was about 10 hours before he got his Notre Dame offer. 

Alabama and Clemson recently hosted Ealy on visits, and he’s looking at the simple things right now. 

“I want to see if it’s a family environment and how they would prepare me for life after football,” said Ealy. “Those are my two biggest concerns.”