Marcus Freeman and the Notre Dame football program have June 20 pinpointed as a big day in what has been a massive couple of months. That’s the day that elite defensive back Joey O’Brien is announcing his commitment.
O’Brien is one of many top prospects who are seen to have a very heavy lean towards South Bend. He’s long been considered someone who will eventually wear the Blue and Gold at the next level. However, that doesn’t mean he’s a slam dunk for Freeman and his staff. There are plenty of very good schools hot on the trail.
Joey O’Brien sets June 20 decision with Notre Dame out front as Oregon, PSU and Clemson make late push
When O’brien announces his school on June 20, he’ll pick between the Notre Dame football program, the Oregon Ducks, Penn State, and Clemson. There is at least one tidbit that could mean that the safety from La Salle College (Glenside, PA) has started to turn his attention to other schools.
Oregon and Clemson appear ready to enter the fray, and it’s worth pointing out that neither was getting much attention earlier this spring. Instead, almost everything was between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Fighting Irish.
While those two schools were considered the front-runners in April and May, there is room for change as we approach O’Brien’s commitment date. On the other hand, while the Ducks and Tigers are in the picture as a couple of his four, there hasn’t been any recruiting expert predicting that an ACC or Big Ten school could win the day.
For the most part, Marcus Freeman and company believe they’ve locked down the top player in the state of Pennsylvania. With his final official visit coming a week before he announces his choice (South Bend on June 13), it certainly seems as though the Irish will get to make the final argument.
Should O’Brien pick the Notre Dame football program, it will be another massive win on the recruiting front. And it could be one of several big wins this summer.