4-star DB Ayden Pouncey commits to Notre Dame: 'It's truly a special place'

Notre Dame has landed a commitment from four-star defensive back Ayden Pouncey of Winter Park (Fla.). He visited South Bend for the first time late in March, then returned this week for a second visit and that is all it took for him to make his decision.

“I committed to Notre Dame because of the love from the coaches and people in the building, how they made me feel comfortable,” Pouncey told On3. “How I fit in with the players on the team and how stable coach Mickens is at Notre Dame were big too. Coach Micken’s has been there for five years and doesn’t plan on leaving on and neither does coach Freeman. It’s the best of both worlds, they are gonna develop me on and off the field.”

LSU had the momentum a little over a month ago after a visit to Baton Rouge. That first visit to South Bend really opened his eyes. The feelings only got stronger when he returned.

“After the first time I visited, I really saw how much I liked Notre Dame. Then it really hit me on Wednesday when I went back there,… I knew for sure Notre Dame was the school on that visit.

“It’s truly a special place with a lot of special people. It is also the best school in the country.”

On3 ranks the No. 138 prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking as a safety, but he is being recruited to play cornerback by Notre Dame. Pouncey is a 6-foot-2 1/2, 165-pound versatile athlete out of Winter Park (Fla.).

Pouncey breaks down his recent visit to Notre Dame

He was coming off a great visit to LSU when he saw South Bend for the first time and it surprised him how much he liked the Irish.

“I really thought I wasn’t going to like Notre Dame,” Pouncey said. “I didn’t know about the area and I didn’t think it would be a good fit, but it was a lot different than I thought it would be. That is why I wanted to get back for a second visit. I really liked it, so I wanted to make sure I got another look.”

This visit was similar to the first one. He saw more of the campus, he spent some time with Marcus Freeman and he learned more about the program, but the biggest difference was his time with Mike Mickens.

“I saw a lot of the same things this time, but I spent more time with coach Mickens. We spent a lot of time together and I got to see how the players interacted with him. I really learned a lot more about coach Mickens and that was big for me on this visit. We have a good relationship and I can talk with him about football and ask questions about life. Every player I talked to talked about how he will develop you and make you better. The proof is there.”

On3 Vice President of Recruiting and Transfer Portal Steve Wiltfong made a pick for the Irish on the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine Wednesday evening and Notre Dame didn’t hurt their chances with this visit.

“I can see myself there,” Pouncey said. “If I chose Notre Dame, it could be a great choice for me. What makes them different is that, outside of football, the education is second to none. It is one of the best in the country and you can be set for life with that degree. At Notre Dame, you are not just developed on the field, but off the field off the field also.”