Top 2021 WR Walker Merrill Ready To See Notre Dame

Notre Dame is familiar with Brentwood High School after signing offensive lineman Cole Mabry out of Tennessee in the Class of 2018.

The Irish will be hosting another Brentwood standout this weekend in 2021 athlete Walker Merrill‍.

The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder was invited to an earlier game in South Bend, but couldn’t make it, so he’ll be in attendance when Notre Dame plays Pittsburgh on Saturday instead.

Merrill hasn’t talked in-depth with Mabry about Notre Dame yet, but that connection has certainly piqued his interest.

 “I like Cole Mabry a lot, so I decided to come up,” Merrill said. “I just want to see a good game. I’ve heard it’s a great campus, it’s beautiful. I’m excited to see it.”

It’s early, but the sophomore already has a pair of offers from Louisville and Vanderbilt.

“It’s great,” he said of the early offers. “I’ve always been a hard worker and it’s great to see it pay off. I’ve worked very hard for it. It’s been my dream ever since I can remember. I think it’s awesome. I definitely worked for it though.”

Merrill believes that college coaches like his athleticism and versatility to play receiver and safety.

“I’m just trying to bring the ability to do both to the table,” he said. “I can play offense and defense. Some schools are looking at me on either side as an athlete.”

He’s been to Vanderbilt multiple times over the years and was in Tennessee for a game earlier this fall. He has plans to get to Louisville later this season.

As for the biggest factor in his ultimate decision, “Academics for sure.”