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Pot of Gold Day: Notre Dame offers nation’s No. 1 linebacker in 2027 class, NFL legacy

Singer headshotby:Mike Singer•03/17/25•

MikeTSinger

Cooper Witten 2 copy 1
Cooper Witten (Photo by Chad Simmons/On3)

Notre Dame’s Pot of Gold day is in full swing, and the Irish just offered one of the best prospects in the 2027 class.

Argyle (Texas) Liberty Christian’s Cooper Witten was the recipient of the scholarship. He checks in as the nation’s No. 22 overall player and No. 1 linebacker according to the On3 Industry Ranking. And Witten is scheduled to visit Notre Dame March 22 for spring practice.

Witten — son of 11-time Pro Bowl tight end and Liberty Christian head coach Jason Witten — holds scholarship offers from the likes of Oklahoma, Michigan, Tennessee, Oregon and others.

According to On3’s own early 2027 rankings, the young Witten is the No. 37 overall player and No. 3 linebacker in the land.

Witten recently told On3 that four schools in particular were doing an excellent job of recruiting him.

“Oklahoma, Baylor, Texas A&M and SMU are really making me feel like a priority,” Witten said.

Witten also shared that most of the schools he is visiting in the spring have his attention. As his recruitment continues, the No. 5 player in Texas is working to build relationships with as many coaches as he can. 

“I want to go somewhere that has a family-like environment and play for a coach who is going to develop me into the best player and person I can be,” said Witten, the No. 23 overall prospect and No. 1 linebacker in the 2027 On3 Industry Ranking. 

He has the following trips scheduled in addition to getting up to South Bend: Michigan March 20, Ohio State March 21, Oklahoma March 25, Clemson March 31, SMU April 5, Texas Tech April 12 and Texas A&M April 17.

On3 director of scouting and rankings Charles Power wrote the following about Notre Dame’s new offer back in August 2024:

Cooper Witten (No. 42) is the son of Tennessee and Dallas Cowboys legend, Jason Witten. Like Gunner Rivers, Cooper Witten also plays for his father, who is coaching at Argyle (Texas) Liberty Christian Academy. The younger Witten is listed at around 6-foot-1, 205 pounds and primarily lined up at safety as a freshman flashing playmaking skills and physicality. He also shows plus athleticism in track and field, posting a strong 11.03 second mark in the 100 meters as a freshman. Witten is ranked at the athlete position, but given his size and skill set, it’s not out of the question he could ultimately grow into a linebacker.

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