Notre Dame picks up commitment from 2024 DT Sean Sevillano

Notre Dame’s hot streak of landing new commitments in the 2024 class continued Friday, as Clearwater (Fla.) Academy International interior defensive lineman Sean Sevillano pledged to the Irish.

Sevillano picked up an offer from Notre Dame March 13 and visited campus less than two weeks later. It was a short visit because he was traveling with a 7v7 organization that had a tournament in the Midwest, but Sevillano’s recruitment was impacted in a big way while he was in South Bend.

“I got to see the vibe of the coaches and the intensity of the practice was high,” Sevillano told Blue & Gold announcing his commitment.  “There was intention behind what was going on. I enjoy the faith part of the school. I felt at home when I was there.

“Talking to Coach [Al] Golden, Coach [Al] Washington, Coach [Marcus] Freeman and Coach [Nick] Sebastian — those are guys I can see myself around.

“I’m very happy we could make the commitment happen.”

Sevillano picked Notre Dame over finalists Auburn, Miami and Ohio State. The Canadian native also held offers from the likes of Louisville, Wisconsin, Stanford, Wake Forest, Georgia Tech and West Virginia.

He is Notre Dame’s 17^th commitment of the 2024 cycle and the fourth defensive line pledge for the Irish.

Sevillano ranks as the nation’s No. 883 overall prospect and No. 82 defensive lineman per the 2024 On3 Industry Ranking. On3’s own rankings list him a bit higher, slotting him as the No. 66 defensive lineman in the land.

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Sevillano breaks down Notre Dame commitment

The Fighting Irish instantly became a top contender for Sevillano when they offered him in March, and it helped Notre Dame that he already had a baseline knowledge of the program before receiving the scholarship.

Former Notre Dame running back Dean Lytle is a part of the training group that Sevillano works with in Winnipeg, Canada.

“Each offer I got — whether it was a small or big school — I did research on it,” Sevillano explained. “Notre Dame was a school that intrigued me a lot, even since I was young. I have (had) a coach who played running back there behind Jerome Bettis. I had heard a lot of great things about Notre Dame, and I was really excited when I got the offer.

“It’s one of those big offers. When I got it, I was really excited and super intrigued with what it could become.”

The Notre Dame staff recruited Sevillano hard. He had daily contact with defensive coordinator Al Golden, defensive line coach Al Washington and assistant defensive line coach Nick Sebastian. He speaks “often” with head coach Marcus Freeman as well.

“I’m keeping up with them all the time, which is awesome,” Sevillanos said. “It makes me feel really comfortable with my decision.”

Sevillano originally planned to take official visits to Auburn, Notre Dame and Ohio State in June, but once he got the green light to commit, he jumped on it. Princeton (N.J.) The Hun School interior defensive lineman Owen Wafle decommitted from the Irish May 24, and that’s the same day that Sevillano committed to the staff.

“I had talked previously with Coach Washington about potentially committing,” Sevillano explained. “I had felt Notre Dame was the place and was my favorite spot. When he gave me the opportunity [to commit], I felt the same way, and I talked it over with my family. We didn’t hesitate to make the commitment. I couldn’t say no.”

Sevillano, who will officially visit Notre Dame next weekend, reports that he stands at 6-2, 305 pounds. He’s a nose tackle all the way at the next level.

“I’m a high-motor guy who won’t stop until the job is done,” he said. “I bring strength, intensity and leadership to the game.”

Notre Dame has been active in landing Canadian players, especially in recent years. The most notable star has been Chase Claypool from the Vancouver area. In last year’s class, the Irish signed two Canadian natives on the defensive line in Devan Houstan (Ontario) and Armel Mukam (Quebec).

“That intrigued me a lot,” Sevillano said. “I got to talk to those guys about Notre Dame. It will be cool to be with other guys from Canada on the defensive line.”

Now that he’s announced his commitment, Sevillano plans on shutting down his recruiting process. Notre Dame is the only school that he’s planning on considering moving forward.

“I’m super happy,” he said. “I can focus on playing ball. The recruiting game is stressful. You have to make sure you make the right decision and have to tell the other schools no. Although the official visits would’ve been fun, I have to make the best decision for me, and this was the one. It’s a big weight off my shoulders for sure.

“I’m going to help bring the natty back to South Bend.”

Sevillano helped lead Clearwater Academy to back-to-back Sunshine State Independent Association state titles in 2021 and 2022. During his junior campaign, he totaled 75 stops, 21 tackles for loss, 19 sacks and 3 forced fumbles in 11 games.

Clearwater Academy regularly has players from Canada, and Sevillano enrolled at the school for his sophomore year. He grew up playing baseball before focusing on football.