Son of legendary former Notre Dame football player commits to the Irish as a PWO

The Notre Dame football program has added another legacy commitment to its 2024 recruiting class. On Thursday, Mishawaka (Ind.) Penn senior linebacker Tommy Powlus announced his Fighting Irish verbal commitment as a preferred walk-on.

Powlus, the son of former Notre Dame quarterback Ron Powlus, is the third recruit of a former Fighting Irish football player to pledge to the Irish in the 2024 recruiting cycle. Notre Dame accepted another PWO commitment from wide receiver Xavier Southall on Sept. 17. Four-star EDGE Bryce Young shut down his recruitment in favor of the Irish on April 29. 

Young is the son of former Notre Dame defensive lineman Bryant Young, who played for the team in the early 1990s. The elder Young had a 14-year career after the 49ers drafted him No. 7 overall in 1994. He is a Pro Football Hall of Famer. His son, Bryce Young, is the No. 108 overall player, No. 8 EDGE nationally and No. 2 prospect in North Carolina, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. 

Southall’s father is former Notre Dame free safety Cornelius “Corny” Southall. The elder Southall started on the Irish 1988 national championship team. After his football playing days, he worked for the United States Secret Service on the Presidential Protection Division for 27 years.

The younger Powlus committed to Notre Dame three days after he made a recruiting visit for the Pittsburgh game on Oct. 28. 

“I am excited to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of Notre Dame,” Powlus posted. “Thank you (head coach) Marcus Freeman for the PWO opportunity! Go Irish.” 

As of a year ago, the youngest Powlus recorded a 315-pound front squat, 250-pound bench and 245-pound power clean. He is also an outstanding lacrosse player. He reports a 4.05 GPA.

Powlus’ older brother is former Notre Dame quarterback Ron Powlus III. In the spring, he medically retired from football. He was a three-star recruit in the 2021 recruiting class. Their father, Ron Powlus II, was a four-year quarterback starter from 1994-97.

The eldest Powlus was a two-time captain who set 20 school records at Notre Dame. He started all 44 regular-season and two bowl games and completed 558 of 969 passes for 7,602 yards and 52 TDs. He now serves at the University of Notre Dame as senior associate athletics director for football.

Notre Dame’s next two recruiting classes could be filled with the sons of former Fighting Irish football players 

Former Irish bloodlines also flourish in the 2025 recruiting class. On Oct. 21, four-star tight end James Flanigan from Green Bay (Wisc.) Notre Dame de la Baie Academy committed to Notre Dame. Flanigan’s father, Jim Flanigan, starred for the Irish defensive line in the early 1990s. After the Bears drafted him at No. 74 overall in the same draft as Bryant Young, the elder Flanigan went on to have a nine-year NFL career. 

The younger Flanigan is the No. 127 overall player and No. 4 tight end in the 2025 recruiting cycle.

Notre Dame also targets Atlanta Woodward Academy three-star wide receiver Jerome Bettis Jr. His father, Jerome Bettis, played for Notre Dame from 1990-92. The Rams selected him with the No. 10 pick in the 1993 NFL Draft. He had a 13-year NFL career and is a Pro Football Hall of Famer. 

The younger Bettis is the No. 529 overall player, No. 83 wide receiver in the country and No. 54 prospect in Georgia. 

Although his father, Durran Alexander, did not play varsity football, Notre Dame targets Union (Ky.) Cooper High four-star EDGE Austin Alexander. The 6-3, 240-pounder is the No. 345 overall player, No. 22 EDGE in America and No. 2 Kentucky prospect. 

The elder Alexander is a 1998 Notre Dame graduate who played intramural football and was in the marching band. His brother, Austin’s uncle, is former Alabama All-American running back and NFL MVP Shaun Alexander.