Recruiting Weekend Preview
Notre Dame will host several recruits for Saturday’s game against Pittsburgh.
Three 2019 commits will be on hand – wide receiver Cam Hart along with defensive lineman Jacob Lacey and linebacker Jack Kiser, who have been mainstays in South Bend this fall. 2020 tight end commit Kevin Bauman will also be on hand for his first game of the fall.
The Irish will entertain multiple 2019 prospects who could be potential preferred walk-on prospects, but linebacker J.D. Bertrand is the 2019 visitor who is likely to receive the most attention. Bertrand (pictured above with Mike Elston) backed off his commitment to Georgia last week and immediately followed up with a visit to Florida, where he landed an offer from the Gators. Notre Dame’s interest level isn’t completely clear at this point, especially with tight numbers, but we should have a better understanding after the weekend. Bertrand made an unofficial visit to South Bend a couple years ago and told Irish Sports Daily he was eager to get back again this weekend.
Back On The Market, JD Bertrand Ready For ND Stop
There will be several 2020 prospects in town as well, including linebacker Jordan Turner. The Michigan native already has double-digit offers from schools like Boston College, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Syracuse, Maryland, Central Michigan and Western Michigan among others. He was supposed to visit Notre Dame earlier this fall, but had to reschedule. A 4.0-student, his coach told ISD that Turner is “everything” coaches are looking for in a player and a person. Turner told ISD he’s looking forward to getting to know the coaches better during the visit.
Jordan Turner Previews ND Visit
2020 Iowa offensive lineman Josh Volk already has offers from the two top in-state programs – Iowa and Iowa State – and will be in attendance as well. He wanted to get to South Bend for a camp over the summer, but wasn’t able to make it. He’s also receiving interest from Michigan State and Northwestern among others. Comfort will be huge in his ultimate decision, so he wants to get a sense for how he’d fit at Notre Dame.
Josh Volk Looking Forward To ND Visit
2020 Wisconsin linebacker Ben Kreul was invited to camp in South Bend this summer, but couldn’t find a date that fit his schedule. But he remained in contact with Director of Football Recruiting Aaryn Kearney to work on getting down for a game and this weekend is the time that worked best. Kreul already has offers from Nebraska and Iowa State and is receiving interest from schools like Michigan, Michigan State and Iowa. Kreul knows all about the prestige of Notre Dame on and off the field and is excited about seeing the gameday atmosphere in South Bend.
“The great tradition that they have,” he told us. “That’s something that’s hard for other college to compete with. They’ve got a tradition of winning. They know what it takes to win and they know how to win. That’s really something that excites me as a player.”
Top 2020 LB Excited For ND Trip
2020 Indiana linebacker/safety Ryan Brandt will be on campus as well. The Angola, Ind., native has an early offer from Purdue. Initially, he planned to come for the Florida State game next month, but moved up his plans to this weekend. He was at Notre Dame’s Elite Skills Camp back in June.
2020 Illinois safety Semaj Brown recently received his first offer from Kansas a couple weeks ago and added offers from Syracuse and Nebraska on Thursday night. The 6-foot-1, 175-pounder will be in town to see the game against Pittsburgh. He’s also receiving interest from Northwestern and Arkansas.
2020 Ohio wide receiver Chris Scott doesn’t have any offers yet, but he could be a guy to keep an eye on down the road. The Pickerington North standout has received some interest from Ohio State, Michigan State, Pitt and Cincinnati.
The Irish will also be hosting some standout 2021 prospects, led by Texas defensive end Tunmise Adeleye, who already has offers from Texas, Texas A&M, Alabama, Baylor and Houston among others.
Tennessee wide receiver Walker Merrill already has offers from Louisville and Vanderbilt as a 2021 prospect. He’s looking forward to checking out Notre Dame in person. He went to the same high school as current Irish freshman lineman Cole Mabry and says he could also play safety.
Top 2021 WR Walker Merrill Ready To See ND
2021 Missouri defensive tackle Gabriel Rubio landed his first offer from Louisville last month. Rubio is fired up about returning to Notre Dame this weekend. “Absolutely!” he told ISD. “I’m excited to be back in South Bend for a visit. Looking forward to seeing everything that makes Notre Dame special”