3-star safety Kennedy Urlacher commits to Notre Dame Fighting Irish

In late January, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman and defensive backs/safeties coach Chris O’Leary flew to Arizona. While in the Grand Canyon State, they met with Chandler (Ariz.) three-star safety Kennedy Urlacher for an hour and a half and extended him an offer.

Urlacher eventually visited the Fighting Irish on April 15 and felt “at home” in South Bend. A little more than two weeks later, he announced his commitment to Notre Dame.

“They play at the highest level,” Urlacher told On3. “Also, you’re not going to get a better education than at Notre Dame while playing big-time football.”

Urlacher, who let Freeman and his staff know about his decision last week, felt like a top target for the Fighting Irish throughout his recruitment. As a result, the 6-foot-1, 180-pound defensive back is “locked in” with Notre Dame and returning to the Fighting Irish for an official visit from June 9-11.

In addition to coaches, Urlacher got to meet with Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts on his last trip to South Bend. Urlacher, the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher, has also been speaking with Cincinnati (Ohio) Archbishop Moeller three-star cornerback and Fighting Irish commit Karson Hobbs.

“He was just saying, ‘Let’s make this happen. We’ll be a good secondary duo,'” said Urlacher, the No. 565 overall prospect and No. 57 safety in the 2024 On3 Industry Ranking.

Urlacher is excited to play for Freeman and Notre Dame

Notre Dame’s success at Urlacher’s position played a key role in him choosing Freeman and Co. Kyle Hamilton went 14th overall to the Baltimore Ravens in the 2022 NFL Draft, while Julian Love and Harrison Smith are other successful safeties who previously suited up for the Fighting Irish.

“You see guys literally in your exact position that have done it and have made it to the highest level,” Urlacher said. “It was definitely helpful when it came to making that decision.”

Urlacher, who is planning to graduate in December and enroll early with the Fighting Irish, has enjoyed learning about Notre Dame from current players. According to Urlacher, “it doesn’t get much better” than Notre Dame offering a tradition-rich program, success developing safeties, an elite education and a strong alumni network.

The three-star is also excited to play under Freeman, who is on track to sign another top-10 recruiting class. After Notre Dame finished 9-4 in Freeman’s first season as head coach, Urlacher believes the Fighting Irish are headed for big things in the coming years.

“He’s definitely one of the coolest coaches I’ve ever met,” Urlacher said. “All the players really like him. Watching him interact with the players, you can tell they’re all in good hands and they really like being around him. I see Notre Dame continuing to get better and better.”