Notre Dame football: Huge recruiting weekend ahead

With the 2023 class wrapped up, the Notre Dame football staff will turn their recruiting attention to the portal and the class of 2024. While they’re off to a great start on the offensive side of the football for the class, the defense could use some more help. The Irish will host a massive list of visitors this weekend.

According to Tom Loy at 247Sports, all 7 of the commits in the class of 2024 will be on campus helping to recruit for the Irish. Among them are CJ Carr, Cam Williams, and Aneyas Williams. A few names attending but not committed to the Irish are Bryce Young, Payton Pierce, and Adarius Hayes. The theme is that the Irish are looking for more defensive help for the class, a significant focus for the weekend.

A familiar name not a part of the 2023 or 2024 class is CJ Williams, who was once committed to the Irish from the class of 2022. Williams will supposedly visit the Irish to reconnect with coaches Freeman and Rees and meet coach Stuckey. While things are far from a lock and Wisconsin seems to be in the driver’s seat, Notre Dame getting the last visit is certainly notable. Williams will look to decide quickly after his trip, and the Irish should be among the group he’s choosing from.

Bryce Young is a Notre Dame football legacy recruit as his dad Bryant Young was a standout on  defense for the Irish during his playing days. The Irish should gain some traction with some of the recruits visiting and know where they stand with others. While you can’t land everyone, getting guys on campus and getting a true feel for what they think of your program is a step in the right direction.

Coach Marcus Freeman will be entering his second full off-season as head coach of the Notre Dame football program. Given his success this past season and even his narrow misses, I’d venture to guess the 2024 class could end up ranked higher than 2023. Both classes will be substantial foundational pieces for his coaching tenure with the Irish.