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It was a good weekend for the Irish
The end of the spring is always a big time draw for many recruits and Notre Dame’s Blue vs. Gold game is no different. Committed and uncommitted prospects share their experiences along with new offers as well. Find out below the latest on Irish recruiting post-spring game.
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Taking a look at several Sooners targets who saw movement in the updated Top247 Rankings from 247Sports.
With the completion of the 2021 season and 2022 recruiting concluded, aside from a few high-profile names, most recruiting services have moved their focus toward the class of 2023. Recently, On3 Recruiting released their updated On300 rankings to reflect how they view prospects from the class of 2023 as camps, showcases, and 7-on-7’s move to the forefront. The current juniors have one final summer before making that leap to their senior year.
Oklahoma has prospects littered up and down the 247Sports rankings, and many saw moves up the list while a few experienced declines in their rankings, and some held steady at their previous spots. Parker Thune of OUInsider provides a complete look at every Oklahoma target and where they now rank in 247Sports updated Top247.
Here’s a look at 11 Oklahoma targets and how they moved in the 2023 rankings.
The Irish ‘23 class is loaded with talent
The Irish have one of the best recruiting classes in the country, actually the top class according to 247Sports. They recently updated their top 247 recruits and there are plenty of Notre Dame commits on the list. Find out below where they ranked in 247Sports latest update.
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No surprises here
It’s safe to say that the Irish have done very well for themselves to start off the 2023 recruiting class. Their nine commits rank as one of the best early classes in the country and with each day, it seems to grow a bit stronger.
In a report by 247Sports Chris Singletary, two current commits handled themselves very well at the Battle Las Vegas 7-on-7 Invitational tournament.
First mentioned was defensive back Peyton Bowen, who was named as a Top-5 performer in the event. Singletary was high on his play saying Bowen “is going to fit well once he arrives. He did a nice job closing on routes and playing with excellent leverage preventing big plays against him.”
The other standout was tight end Cooper Flanagan, who didn’t make the top list but was singled out as one of the best at his position during the event.
Although these 7-on-7 tournaments aren’t real football, it give athletes a chance to showcase their athletic abilities and it was great to see Bowen and Flanagan performing well against a loaded field of competition.
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Hands off, Harbaugh.
This past early signing period Jim Harbaugh and Michigan were able to successful pry longtime Notre Dame commitment Amorion Walker from the Fighting Irish class. Now the ever lovable skunk-bears are at it again, this time trying to steal one of the top defenders in Notre Dame’s 2023 recruiting class.
Peyton Bowen, a four-star safety and top-100 national prospect committed to Notre Dame on New Year’s Day this year and figures to be a huge part of Marcus Freeman’s secondary before long. Despite his commitment, Michigan extended a scholarship offer to Bowen that he announced on social media Wednesday night.
#AGTG I am blessed to receive an offer to the University of Michigan!!@mike_gallegos16 @ReedHeim @coachrodneywebb @coachclink @DentonGuyer_FB @UMichFootball pic.twitter.com/xI9nox2uJO
— Peyton Bowen (@PeytonBowen10) February 17, 2022
Is it annoying to see? Certainly.
Does it mean that Bowen is going to go the route of Walker? Hardly. Although it’s possible.
Is this the way every big-time college football program does it (including Notre Dame)? Absolutely so there will be plenty more of it to come.
Related:
Notre Dame’s 2022 game-by-game predictions
Notre Dame’s 2023 recruiting class commitments
Notre Dame coaching staff tracker
Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.
Follow Nick on Twitter: @nickshepkowski
Tennessee offers a 2023 Notre Dame commit.
Tennessee has offered a scholarship to 2023 safety prospect Peyton Bowen.
“I am blessed to receive an offer from the University of Tennessee,” Bowen announced.
The 6-foot, 185-pound safety is from John H. Guyer High School in Denton, Texas.
Bowen is committed to Notre Dame. He committed to the Fighting Irish on Jan. 1.
He has Southeastern Conference scholarship offers from Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, LSU, Missouri, Ole Miss, South Carolina and Texas A&M. Bowen has also received offers from future SEC schools Oklahoma and Texas.
Tennessee’s 2023 football commitment tracker
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It’s early but it’s nice to be on top
The Irish have gotten off to an amazing start to their 2023 recruiting class, jockeying with teams for that top spot. Well, with the commitment of future linebacker Preston Zinter, the Irish have retaken the top overall class according to 247Sports.
The nine current commits, headlined by defensive stars Keon Keeley and Drayk Bowen, jumped Georgia and their 9 commits for the top overall spot. According to 247Sports’ player rankings, the Irish currently have the second most committed 5-Star prospects, 2 behind USC’s three.
Five total players inside the top-100 nationally, Keely, Bowen, safety Peyton Bowen, defensive end Brenan Vernon and cornerback Justyn Rhett make up the core of what looks to be a very high level ‘23 class. You can nitpick that there needs to be more high-end offensive talent, but it’s still super early in the cycle and plenty of time to change that narrative.
Marcus Freeman’s first true recruiting class is one we may look back upon that has created the foundation for a very impressive run for Notre Dame.
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Should we be worried about a potential decommit?
The Irish have gotten off to a great start in the 2023 recruiting cycle but it seems like they are going to have to fend off other programs for some of their current commits. First it was defensive end Keon Keeley taking a visit to Alabama which is a bit concerning. Now a report from 247Sports’ David Johnson has safety Peyton Bowen still looking at other schools.
Bowen took a visit to Ole Miss on Saturday and even though he is still verbally committed to the Irish, this isn’t a slam dunk for him to sign. He told Johnson “I just want to make sure I’m not making the wrong decision. I just wanted to go see these other places.”
This might seem like bad news, but you can understand what Bowen is doing. It’s a big decision and he wants to make sure that he’s making the correct one. Bowen does go on to tell Johnson that “in the fall, I’ll probably be a hundred percent into the school I choose, which is probably going to be Notre Dame.” Hopefully that is the case as Bowen is one of the best defensive back recruits in the country.
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Notre Dame landed a big victory an hour before the Fiesta Bowl kicked off.
Roughly an hour before Notre Dame kicked off the Marcus Freeman era in the Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma State the Irish landed a significant commitment in their 2023 recruiting class.
Peyton Bowen, a four-star safety from Denton, Texas announced his commitment to Notre Dame on New Year’s Day 2022. Bowen had offers from several college football blue bloods including Florida, Florida State, Texas, Auburn, Michigan State, and several more.
Bowen is easily ranked as a top-100 overall player in the 2023 cycle as ESPN ranks him the 50th overall player while 247Sports puts him at 58th overall. Both have Bowen as one of the nation’s top four safeties in the class as well.
Notre Dame landing this commitment is huge for a variety of reasons. Obviously Kyle Hamilton departs and although Bowen won’t be at Notre Dame until 2023, he’s certainly expected to be an impact player. He joins Adon Shuler of New Jersey in the class at safety after the Irish struck out on the safety position in the 2022 cycle and lost Khari Gee of Louisiana to the transfer portal from the 2021 class.
Bowen’s commitment becomes the eighth for Notre Dame in the 2023 recruiting class that is currently ranked as the nation’s top class on both 247Sports and Rivals.
Related:
This could be huge
Even though the 2022 class has yet to be completed, many school’s have started to peek over their shoulder to the 2023 class. Notre Dame is no different, as they already have seven commits in the class, one that is among the best in the country at the early junction.
There could be another name to add to the ‘23 class soon, Texas safety Peyton Bowen. The rising senior recently announced on Twitter that he will be making his commitment in less than a week, on the first day of the new year.
Bowen has a very impressive list of schools to choose from, including Alabama, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, and USC. The Irish are very much in the mix for Bowen’s verbal and will will find out soon if he becomes commitment number 8 for the 2023 Notre Dame football class.
The commitment January 1st on CBS!!
— Peyton Bowen (@PeytonBowen10) December 25, 2021
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