Notre Dame Football Recruiting: How does Notre Dame compete in the NIL era?
By Andrew Hall
Notre Dame Football Recruiting: How does Notre Dame compete in the NIL era?
The Notre Dame football recruiting classes can land in the top-5 of recruiting rankings with effort and vision.
In short, the playbook has not changed in the slightest. The pitch can be summarized in the age-old adage, “If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.”
In Notre Dame terms, this is known as “4 for 40.”
Yes, top players like Jackson State signee Travis Hunter and Texas A&M signee Walter Nolen might make around a million dollars in their first year of school. They could even make that for each season they play at their respective schools. $4 million at the age of 22 is life-changing if you know what to do with it.
But, what if those players valued football and the best NIL deal over their education? Does this sound at all familiar?
Coaches crafting each Notre Dame football recruiting class pushed the life-altering education available under the watchful eye of our lady on the dome. This situation is not different. If anything, it makes the choice even starker: short-term money grab or long-term financial success.
NIL success can also be had at Notre Dame football but it is not the primary focus. NFL draft prospect and former Irish safety Kyle Hamilton took advantage of the current NIL rules with his podcast, clothing endorsement with Roback, and a deal with Yoke.
According to defensive line coach Mike Elston, the former Notre Dame captain was one of the highest-paid defensive players in terms of NIL.
In other words, you can have the best of both worlds in South Bend. It has been the argument in favor of being a Notre Dame football player since coaches hit the road to recruit new players. Get an elite education and play elite football. NIL is no different.