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Recruiting: Can Notre Dame land NaNa Osafo-Mensah?

By Nathan Erbach

EAST LANSING, MI - SEPTEMBER 15: Andrew Maxwell #10 of the Michigan State Spartans fumbles the ball in the fourth quarter while being hit by Stephon Tuitt #7 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Spartan Stadium Stadium on September 15, 2012 in East Lansing, Michigan. Notre Dame won the game 20-3. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - SEPTEMBER 15: Andrew Maxwell #10 of the Michigan State Spartans fumbles the ball in the fourth quarter while being hit by Stephon Tuitt #7 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Spartan Stadium Stadium on September 15, 2012 in East Lansing, Michigan. Notre Dame won the game 20-3. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Decision day is fast approaching for talented Texas pass rusher, NaNa Osafo-Mensah, but can Notre Dame secure his commitment?

May 19th is a day that many Notre Dame fans have marked on their calendars. Why do you ask? One of the top high school pass rushers in the 2019 class is set to announce his college decision. NaNa Osafo-Mensah out of Nolan Catholic High School in Forth Worth, Texas has a top two of Texas and Notre Dame. If he chooses to play his football in South Bend, it would be one of the best recruiting wins of the Brian Kelly era. Let’s dive a little further into Notre Dame’s chances.

Background 

Osafo-Mensah was offered by the Irish almost a year ago to date, and he was already considered a national recruit. At that time, he held offers from many powerhouse programs such as Georgia, USC and Oklahoma, but Notre Dame immediately became a contender.

Nolan Catholic is a high academic, religious high school that resembles student life and atmosphere at Notre Dame. That had to sit well with the family from the onset.

Since that May 2017 offer, even more offers have trickled in and NaNa has visited several schools. He built a solid relationship with former Notre Dame defensive coordinator Mike Elko, therefore, Texas A&M posed a legitimate threat. It’s hard to say no to in-state programs that covet you.

In 2018 alone, Texas, Oregon, Florida, Michigan State, Alabama, Michigan have all offered.

Notre Dame vs. Texas 

A little over a month ago, Osafo-Mensah announced a top two of Texas and Notre Dame. Soon after, he scheduled official visits to both universities. Notre Dame received the first one on the weekend of April 13th, and Texas hosted him this past weekend.

For awhile it seemed as though Texas had taken a lead in his recruitment. His twitter was filled with Texas re-tweets and edits, and the 247sports.com crystal ball was shifting to the in-state power.

It’s not everyday – or every couple years, for that matter – that Notre Dame lands an elite pass rusher, especially not one from the South. Texas winning this battle would be yet another scar for the Irish faithful, but in all reality, it would be an understandable one.

New Life 

With both officials in the rear view mirror and only a decision left to make, things are looking more positive for Notre Dame by the day.

The crystal ball has been trending Notre Dame’s way for the last several days, which typically infers recruiting services are hearing murmurs from sources.

Related Story: Recruiting Big Board (Safety)

Could Osafo-Mensah’s mind be made up? Could Notre Dame finally land that elite pass rusher they’ve been coveting? We will have to wait until May 19th to find out for sure, but I like where Notre Dame stands.A verbal commitment from NaNa Osafo-Mensah would take this Notre Dame recruiting class from very good to great.

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