2021 In-State CB Daylan Carnell Thrilled With Notre Dame Offer

Daylan Carnell‍ made a return trip to South Bend last weekend hoping to score an offer from Notre Dame and the 2021 Indianapolis defensive back did just that.

“I was in Coach Todd Lyght’s office,” he explained. “We were just talking and he gave me the news.

“I was real happy. I was just smiling.”

The Ben Davis High School standout already had offers from schools like Purdue, Indiana, Washington State, Cincinnati and Central Michigan but said the Irish offer is “a big one that will kind of put me on the map.”

Lyght has really made a strong impression on Carnell.

“He’s really done everything,” the 6-foot-2, 185-pound sophomore said of the Irish defensive backs coach. “He told me he was an All-American and won a national championship in college and was the #5 overall pick in Draft and was a Pro Bowler and won a Super Bowl.”

Carnell said it would “mean a lot” to be coached by somebody with Lyght’s resumé. 

“Some coaches know about the position, but they didn’t really play it,” he said. “He played it and knows a lot about it, so I know he knows what he’s talking about.”

Carnell also had the chance to speak with Notre Dame defensive coordinator Clark Lea for about 10 minutes.

“I liked him too,” Carnell said. “He told me about their defense and their players.”

As for Notre Dame’s academics, Carnell said, “I already knew they were really good, but I didn’t know the academics were that top-notch.”

Carnell doesn’t have any other trips locked in just yet, but is looking at getting back to South Bend soon.

“They said they want me to come back up there for a spring practice,” Carnell said of the Notre Dame coaches. “Their spring practice is during my spring break, so it works out perfectly. I’ll most likely be up there again.”

“A few schools told me they want to come up there. I’m waiting on them to email my coach the dates and stuff so I can figure out when.”

Carnell made the trip up to Notre Dame with fellow top 2021 Indiana prospect, offensive lineman Blake Fisher.

“We’re real close,” Carnell said. “Out of seven days a week, we probably talk about four days.”

Could the two end up playing at the same school in college?

“He’s always mentioning it. I’m all for it.”