Michigan WR an intriguing option for Notre Dame’s 2023 class
Detroit St. Mary class of 2023 wideout Ryan Mooney is the definition of a “late bloomer.” The 6-4 170-pounder didn’t even start playing football until his senior year of high school, and with his natural athleticism and speed, he burst on the scene and has earned 12 division one scholarship offers since June.
Mooney also has preferred walk-on opportunities at Michigan and Notre Dame. He actually committed to the Fighting Irish baseball program back in August of 2020 but backed off that pledge in September as his football recruiting process started to heat up.
“I’ve always loved baseball and playing that sport for Notre Dame would be special,” Mooney said. “I was set with that decision with no second thoughts. But I started to play football and really liked it. Once I played my first varsity football game, which was in August, I thought that this might be what I wanted to do. I had to go with my heart.”
Mooney’s full focus is now on football. He has scholarship offers from Boston College, Iowa, Central Michigan, Harvard, Tulane and others. But he’s still very much considering his walk-on options as well.
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“It’s a tough decision because Notre Dame was the school I was committed to for baseball for all the reasons, and it was my dream school,” he explained. “Growing up, Michigan and Notre Dame were the two schools that I wanted to go to.
“You have a full scholarship elsewhere or you can follow what you’ve dreamed of doing — playing at Notre Dame or Michigan. At the same time, Iowa is a super good program and a Power Five full scholarship.
“It’s a tough decision; I’m talking to parents about it and figuring out what route I want to take. And I’m hearing from other Power Five schools about scholarship opportunities. I’m keeping all of my options open.”
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Mooney doesn’t have a set decision timeline ahead of the Dec. 21 National Signing Day.
“I want to commit whenever it feels right,” he explained. “I’ll do it when I know which place is for me.”
Mooney visited Notre Dame for the Clemson game
His visit to South Bend Nov. 5 was his first time at Notre Dame as a football prospect. Obviously, he had already been to campus a few times as a baseball recruit, which included him being inside Notre Dame Stadium to see the Irish knock off USC in 2021.
“Both of those games were really good ones to go to,” he said. “I spent a lot of time with Coach [Chad] Bowden; he’s always there with the recruits. I talked to Coach [Dave] Peloquin and some of the recruiting people. It was all pretty cool.”
Mooney caught 36 passes for 755 yards with 8 touchdowns during his senior season. He is not currently ranked.
