3-star LB Cole Sullivan announces top five schools

Pittsburgh (Penn.) Central Catholic three-star linebacker Cole Sullivan announced his top five schools on Saturday. They are Duke, Michigan, Notre Dame, Stanford and Wisconsin.

Sullivan is the No. 513 overall prospect and No. 57 linebacker in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 14 player in Pennsylvania.

Thank you to all of the school the have recruited me. I have narrowed my decision down to these five schools! pic.twitter.com/6itOWMCDib

— Cole Sullivan (@ColeSull18) April 29, 2023

On3 rates Sullivan higher than other recruiting services, according to the Industry Comparison. Even though he is not ranked in the 2024 On300, Sullivan is the No. 37 linebacker in the country and the No. 10 player in Pennsylvania.

The 6-foot-4, 200-pound recruit has already visited Notre Dame (April 1/Oct. 15), Michigan (March 26 and March 11), Stanford (April 6) and Wisconsin (Oct. 1) since the fall. He is set to return to the Fighting Irish on June 9 for an official visit.

Sullivan discusses his interest in Notre Dame

According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, Notre Dame has a commanding lead for Sullivan’s commitment at 79.6%. On his most recent trip to South Bend, he spent time with head coach Marcus Freeman, defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Al Golden and Director of Recruiting Chad Bowden.

“They’re definitely up there at the top,” Sullivan told Mike Singer of Blue and Gold on April 5. “There’s not many places where you can get a high level of academics and a high level of football. That’s what makes Notre Dame unique.

“I like the aspect of it be a Catholic school. I go to a Catholic high school and I love it there. And I am Catholic. That attracts me as well. All around, there’s not a whole lot of downsides at all. It’s a great place for me.”

Sullivan also got time with both Freeman and Golden individually. The three-star shared with Singer that he hopes to commit before his senior season.

“We talked about not only football and the attraction of the level they play at but also the academics, what a Notre Dame scholarship means and the brotherhood they create there,” Sullivan said about his conversation with Freeman. “Life after football is very important, and he explained to me how the former players always come back to Notre Dame. The alumni look out for each other and the current students.”

“We mostly talked about why Notre Dame is so special and his vision for me,” he added about speaking with Golden. “He was telling me what he sees in me and why I’d fit at Notre Dame.”

“He sees me as a versatile player who could line up at multiple (linebacker) positions,” Sullivan also mentioned. “He likes my length and speed. Coach Golden wouldn’t limit me to one position because he thinks I can do a lot for them on defense.”