Tag: ND Football Recruiting

A three pack of commitments as 2025 Illinois defensive end commits to Notre Dame

The Irish did great on the recruiting trail this weekend

All was not lost for [autotag]Notre Dame football[/autotag] this weekend, even if it feels that way.

On the field, it didn’t turn out how any of us would have liked, but off the field, it was a massive success. The Irish grabbed three total commitments in the 2025 class, on Saturday it was running back Daniel Anderson then defensive end CJ May making their verbals to the Irish.

Sunday saw Notre Dame add another commit, Illinois defensive end [autotag]Joseph Reiff[/autotag]. The 6-foot, 3-inch and 230-pound lineman was offered a scholarship in late June and didn’t take long to think before making his decision.

Reiff was among a large contingent of recruits that were on campus this past weekend and it’s same to say, it was a massive success on that side for the Irish.

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Notre Dame football adds 2025 running back ahead of Ohio State contest

Fireworks already in South Bend

[autotag]Notre Dame football[/autotag] is not only trying to win the game on the field this weekend, but on the recruiting trail as well.

Even though we won’t know the results on the field until much later this evening, we do know what the recruiting part is going extremely well. The Irish hosted Arkansas 2025 running back [autotag]Daniel Anderson[/autotag] on an unofficial visit, but he has made up his mind, committing to Notre Dame ahead of the big game.

Anderson stands 5-foot, 11-inches and weighs 195-pounds, is ranked as the No. 30 running back and 317th overall prospect according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings.

Although he also had an offer from Tennessee along with a few smaller schools, Anderson decided to shut down the process and commit to the Irish. He is now the fourth verbal commit for Notre Dame in the 2025 class.

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Notre Dame vs Ohio State: Confidences & Concerns

How you feeling about the Irish today?

Notre Dame vs. Ohio State week is upon us. All of college football awaits the answers to so many major questions relating to both of these teams. How much better does Sam Hartman make Notre Dame in the most premier of matchups? How will new Buckeyes starter Kyle McCord handle the hostile “greened out” home crowd? Are the Irish ready to take the next step or are the Buckeyes a threat to win it all this year?

In many ways, this game feels like both teams’ first. Neither the media or fans on either side of this battle seem to have drawn many concrete conclusions about either team based on the results of the games leading into this. This kind of game at Notre Dame Stadium doesn’t come around often. Will the Irish take advantage?

Let’s examine some confidences & concerns Irish fans may have entering this Saturday’s Midwestern masterpiece of a game.

Notre Dame vs Ohio State: Irish win would alter program

Marcus Freeman’s coming out party at Notre Dame?

You saw the title I came up with. What was your first reaction to it? John is being dramatic yet again? Or perhaps the notion of it being “just one game”? Or did you really take a moment to think about what this title represents for Notre Dame?

All of America will be watching Notre Dame vs. Ohio State. Will this be the “same old big game Notre Lame”, or will the Irish take the practical and perceptual “next step” towards elite status in year two of Marcus Freeman? In some ways, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Let’s examine a few reasons a victory this weekend against the Buckeyes would change Notre Dame’s path into the modern playoff era.

Scout’s view: Notre Dame football’s newest commit, tackle Guerby Lambert

Yet another big time tackle prospect will land in South Bend

[autotag]Notre Dame football[/autotag]’s offensive line just got a bit more depth on Tuesday evening as Massachusetts offensive tackle [autotag]Guerby Lambert[/autotag] committed to the Irish.

The 2024 prospect is a tackle all the way, standing 6-foot, 6-inches and weighing 280-pounds. The Irish beat out Ohio State and Harvard for Lambert’s verbal.

The final piece of the 2024 classes offensive line commitments as he joins [autotag]Peter Jones[/autotag], [autotag]Styles Prescod[/autotag], and [autotag]Anthonie Knapp[/autotag]. Lambert is the highest ranked prospect of the bunch, as he’s the No. 8 tackle and 117th overall prospect according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings.

After watching his junior film, it’s easy to see why many believe he is one of the best players in the country. Find out below what skills Lambert will bring with him to South Bend.

Notre Dame vs Ohio State: It’s Different This Time

This time it’s different.

For the last 25-30 years Notre Dame Football has been known for one thing more than any other. Losing “the big game”, often in horrifically embarrassing fashion. That hurts to hear if you are an Irish fan, but it’s the truth. Notre Dame is a running meme when it comes to big-game blowouts. And don’t get me started on bowl game records.

Somehow, some way Notre Dame must end this cycle.

Change the narratives.

Force the country to view them in a different light.

There’s only one way to accomplish this. Beat Ohio State. Let’s examine some ways that the 2023 Notre Dame team is uniquely positioned to possibly do just that.

Notre Dame football adds 2024 legacy wide receiver commit

A familiar name has joined the Irish 2024 recruiting class

[autotag]Notre Dame football[/autotag] had a great weekend, not only did they defeat Central Michigan to the triune of 41-17, but they also made an addition to their 2024 recruiting class.

[autotag]Xavier Southall[/autotag], son of former Irish cornerback Cornelius, made his verbal commitment on Sunday to be a preferred walk-on. At 6-foot and 180-pound, he’s following in his father footsteps and will don the Blue and Gold.

The receiver is not ranked by any major services, as is the case with the majority of walk-on players, but that doesn’t mean that Southall won’t be able to make an impact on the field. Plenty of former Irish players who have made an impact started their careers as walk-on’s.

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Notre Dame vs Central Michigan: Pick Your Narrative

How do you feel about Notre Dame’s chances to take down Ohio State?

Notre Dame officially accomplished their biggest initial goal of the 2023 season. Entering the Ohio State matchup undefeated. In fact, when looking at scores alone, none of the first ramp-up month of games ended that close. Notre Dame has taken care of business. They’ve allowed next week to become in reality what it’s been in theory for literally years. A good old-fashioned midwestern war on the national stage.

As I’ve been saying for years in my videos, nothing is ever black and white with Notre Dame. There’s always room for nuance, always. I ask Irish fans the following question. Do you feel better, worse, or the same about Notre Dame’s chances to take down Ohio State after seeing the Central Michigan game?

Notre Dame vs Central Michigan: Irish Face Unique Mental Test

It might not be a marquee matchup but it does pose a unique test for the Irish…

After a wet, wild, and adventurous journey to the Carolinas, the Irish return home this Saturday to take on Central Michigan. This will be Notre Dame’s last chance to “tune up” before the Buckeyes visit the following week. If there are specific points of emphasis the staff wishes to push, this is the time for it.

One question I have is one I ask half facetiously, and half completely serious. How much of the tailgate talk leading up to this game will actually be about this game and not the one coming next? Notre Dame has much work to be done in this game. Nothing should be taken for granted.

Let’s examine some areas of confidence and concern regarding the Irish this week.

Notre Dame’s Priorities for Central Michigan game

Priorities. Not next week – this week.

Notre Dame must stay focused this week as they host Central Michigan. The players must resist the urge to “look ahead” to Ohio State and forget the task at hand. The reality is, we may learn a lot about the Irish this week. How sharp will they look in their final contest before the one that has been circled on the calendar for years?

Certainly, getting a win is and should always be the first and foremost priority in any game. But should the game get out of hand in the Irish’s favor, which is the expectation, what should the Irish try and focus on?