LOOK: Key Notre Dame recruits on campus for USC game
Notre Dame crushed USC 48-20 on Saturday night, giving the Irish’s 2023 season a big boost, as Marcus Freeman‘s squad improved to 6-2 on the year and earned a marquee victory over previously unbeaten USC.
It was also an important victory for the Notre Dame’s future, too. South Bend was rocking, and recruits on campus were loving the game day experience.
The marquee visitor of the weekend was Ainsworth (Neb.) High’s Carter Nelson, who ranks as the nation’s No. 60 overall player and No. 5 tight end according to the 2024 On3 Industry Ranking. Nelson is currently committed to Nebraska, but the Fighting Irish are working on flipping the elite talent. Nelson is pictured in the photo above.
Blue & Gold photographer Chad Weaver captured pictures of a handful of other Irish targets and commits on campus Saturday.
Waukesha (Wis.) Catholic Memorial’s Owen Strebig, the nation’s No. 75 overall player and No. 9 offensive tackle per the 2025 On3 Industry Ranking, was a key visitor over the weekend, as he’s closely considering both the Irish and Trojans.
Shaker Heights (Ohio) High’s Trey McNutt, the No. 56 overall prospect and No. 4 cornerback nationally in the 2025 cycle, has now been to Notre Dame three times.
Goodland (Kan.) High’s Linkon Cure, an unranked class of 2025 tight end, added an offer from ND before kickoff.
Davie (Fla.) Western’s Koby Howard, the No. 287 overall prospect and No. 44 wideout in the 2025 class, made a return trip to campus. His previous time at Notre Dame was for Irish Invasion in June 2022.
The Irish already have two running back commits in the 2025 class, but that’s not stopping them from recruiting Shreveport (La.) Calvary Baptist Academy’s James Simon. The 6-0, 198-pounder ranks as the No. 166 prospect and No. 15 running back in America.
Lynchburg (Va.) Liberty Christian Academy’s Easton Ware, an unranked class of 2025 offensive lineman, added an offer from the Fighting Irish Sept. 20.
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Elmhurst (Ill.) Immaculate Conception’s Dominik Hulak, the No. 407 prospect and No. 39 linebacker in America for the 2025 class, has been a regular visitor at ND this year.
Lucedale (Miss.) George County quarterback and Irish 2025 commit Deuce Knight, the No. 39 player and No. 3 quarterback in the land, visited for the Ohio State game and was back on campus Saturday. He’s pictured above with Atlanta Woodward’s Jerome Bettis Jr., the No. 451 prospect and No. 64 wide receiver in the 2025 class.
Lucas (Texas) Lovejoy’s Daylan McCutcheon is a top target for the Irish in the 2025 class. He ranks as the No. 100 prospect and No. 14 receiver in the nation.
Indianapolis Warren Central’s Damien Shanklin, the No. 278 recruit and No. 21 EDGE in the country, made his first trip to campus Saturday.
Phoenix Brophy Prep’s Cree Thomas, the No. 353 player and No. 37 cornerback nationally in the 2025 class, experienced his first ND game day. The Irish are considered the team to beat for the 6-1, 170-pounder.
Culpeper (Va.) Eastern View’s Brett Clatterbaugh, the No. 258 prospect and No. 27 linebacker nationally in the 2025 class, was in South Bend Saturday.
