2020 Hawaii Star Jordan Botelho Planning Notre Dame Official Visit
Notre Dame offered 2020 St. Louis (Hawaii) linebacker Jordan Botelho three weeks ago and the Irish have the attention of the 6-foot-3, 220-pounder.
“I’m really thankful and blessed,” Botelho said of the offer from the Irish. “My parents and I really like Notre Dame and we want to take a visit. We’re going to take a visit there in the summer for an official visit.”
The four-star prospect has seen several players from Hawaii choose the Irish over the last few years, but while it’s good to see, it’s not going to be part of his decision.
“I’ve seen a lot of Hawaii kids go to Notre Dame,” stated Botelho. “I don’t really mind if there are people from Hawaii or not. It doesn’t affect me.”
Notre Dame special teams coordinator and recruiting coordinator Brian Polian has been a fixture in Hawaii since his return to South Bend and it’s paid off.
Botelho believes he is forming a good bond with Polian and is intrigued with Notre Dame’s plan for him.
“I talk with Coach Polian,” explained Botelho. “He wants me to play at the Drop position. It’s similar to the position I’m playing now where I’ll get to rush off the edge and drop into coverage. I like that position, so it’s something I’m definitely looking forward to learning more about.”
The Honolulu native holds offers from Arizona State, Boise State, Cal, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, LSU, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Oregon, Oregon State, USC, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin, but programs vary in terms of where they project him to play.
Some programs feel he’s an edge player, while others believe he could end up inside playing a more traditional linebacker role.
“I don’t mind playing inside, outside or defensive end,” Botelho said. “As long as I’m on the field that’s all that matters to me.”
Oregon and Washington are the two programs recruiting Botelho the hardest right now, but other programs will have a chance to catch up when he takes his official visits.
“I’m not too sure how everything is going to go,” Botelho said. “I know I’ll take a couple officials in the summer.
“I want to make sure the place I go, I’ll feel like family. No matter what happens, I want to know I’ll be taken care of there.”
In terms of a commitment, Botelho’s goal as of now is to get his recruitment wrapped up by the fall so he can enjoy his senior season.
“I think I want to commit before my senior season,” said Botelho.
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