Blue-chip LB Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa commits to Notre Dame over Ohio State and USC
It was a recruiting battle that left fans of Notre Dame, Ohio State and USC biting their nails until he announced his decision, and now it’s all over. Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco class of 2024 linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa has committed to the Fighting Irish.
Each program in his top three seemed to have momentum for Viliamu-Asa in different stages of his recruitment, and in the past few weeks leading up to his decision date, Ohio State seemed to have the most buzz. But Notre Dame pulled off the upset July 23.
“I don’t have to compromise; I get the best of both worlds in academics and football,” Viliamu-Asa told On3’s Chad Simmons about his decision to pick the Irish. “Regardless of if I make it in football, I’ll be set to achieve my aspirations off the field.”
Viliamu-Asa is a marquee addition to Notre Dame’s 2024 recruiting class. The 6-2, 235-pounder is a longtime Irish target who ranks as the No. 109 overall player and No. 8 linebacker per the 2024 On3 Industry Ranking. He’s also the No. 13 player from his home state of California.
He gives Notre Dame three linebacker commits in the class, joining Roanoke (Va.) Patrick Henry’s Bodie Kahoun and Omaha (Neb.) Westside’s Teddy Rezac. Kahoun and Rezac both rank as three-star players per the On3 Industry Ranking.
Viliamu-Asa’s pledge puts the Irish 22 commitments, and he’s the third-highest ranked verbal of the class, trailing only Saline (Mich.) High quarterback CJ Carr (No. 49 overall) and Glen Ellyn (Ill.) Glenbard South receiver Cam Williams (No. 36 overall).
“I definitely like the idea of my fit in their defense,” Viliamu-Asa previously told Blue & Gold about Notre Dame. “Coach [Al] Golden definitely knows what he’s talking about. He has NFL experience, and his layout for how I’d fit in their defensive scheme is really appealing. They’d put me in different positions to impact the game, whether that’s in the box or off the edge. I feel comfortable in knowing he’d develop me into an NFL linebacker.”
Golden, head coach Marcus Freeman, director of recruiting Chad Bowden and graduate assistant linebackers coach Max Bullough were just a few of the important figures for the Irish in landing Viliamu-Asa’s commitment.
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Viliamu-Asa officially visited each of his three finalists in June and raved about his time in South Bend. Not only did he gush about the trip, but his parents also enjoyed their time.
“They loved it,” he said. “It was my dad’s first time there and my mom’s third time. They loved it. It opened their eyes to the type of opportunity on and off the field that is presented at Notre Dame. There are connections and a network that they provide for their students. It opened their eyes to a holistic approach to the college decision and what Notre Dame is all about.”
Viliamu-Asa was named the Southern Section All-CIF Defensive Player of the Year as a junior. He finished 2022 with 111 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, two fumbles and one interception.
He missed the 2021 season because of an ACL injury that occurred in Bosco’s final spring game of the 2021 COVID-19 make-up season.
Viliamu-Asa was named to the 2022 MaxPreps High School Football Junior All-America first-team defense. He helped lead St. John Bosco to a 13-1 record last fall that resulted in a CIF Open Division state title and being crowned MaxPreps national champions.
