Notre Dame football: What 2023 CB Christian Gray brings to the Irish
By Carlee North
The Notre Dame football program is pulling away from the pack in terms of recruiting, this time landing an elite CB prospect in Christian Gray.
Happy Fourth of July Irish Nation, as Notre Dame football, continues to stack elite talent on the recruiting trail. This time they add 2023 cornerback Christian Gray out of Missouri with a firework of a commitment on the Fourth of July.
Gray has been to campus multiple times, has absolutely loved everything about the Irish since he was first offered, and has great relationships with the staff. That can’t be overstated how important that bond is with the coaches, especially Marcus Freeman, which ultimately swung in the Irish’s favor and he pulled to trigger for the long-time favorite in the Irish.
The LSU tigers made this interesting over the last few months after they added his former high school head coach to their staff, but again those long-lasting relationships solidified this for the Irish along with everything Notre Dame has to offer both on the field and especially off the field.
Right now Gray holds 25 offers from the likes of Alabama, Florida, Ohio State, LSU, and many other top programs around the country.
What will Christian Gray bring to the Notre Dame football program?
The 6’0 180-pound cornerback is going to bring a prototypical frame and length to the cornerback room. His arm length and wing span of 75.25 inches are eye-popping and it’s something you love to have at cornerback.
To go along with his great frame he possesses great fluidity with his lower half, having the ability to flip his hips and run with just about anyone on the field. Gray has excellent instincts and can break on the ball very quickly.
He excels at both press coverage and man so there isn’t much missing in his game. Adding strength will be key here and that should be easy with strength coach Matt Balis at the helm. He has what it takes to be a truly elite corner in South Bend and eventually beyond at the next level.
This is an outstanding player and cornerback coach Mike Mickens should be thrilled to coach him once he steps foot in South Bend. With Christian Gray committing on July 4th, the 2023 recruiting class now holds 10 pledges on defense and 9 on the offensive side, holding down the No. 1 class in the nation.
Gray will be joining safeties Peyton Bowen, Adon Shuler, and fellow cornerback Micah Bell in the defensive back room. There could be room for another defensive back if the right guy comes along but it seems like the staff is set on two safeties and two cornerbacks for this class right now. And if these four remain committed and sign in December this group could be really special together in South Bend.