Notre Dame football's recruiting was absolutely red hot this week, but even the hottest teams in the country can't win over every player they target. That lesson was taught again on Saturday afternoon when a once-top wide receiver target, Osani Gayles, announced he's pledged to Alabama.
Gayles had cut the Fighting Irish out of his favorites just ahead of what was supposed to be his official visit to South Bend. It's not known just why he decided he wanted to go anywhere but to the Golden Domers. Still, Marcus Freeman and his squad were able to wipe away their tears and bounce back strong with the commitment of another 4-star receiver and legacy prospect, Julius Jones Jr.
Even if Notre Dame doesn't really need Osani Gayles anymore, it's still interesting just how much the Irish have struggled to recruit the wide receiver position when they aren't going after family members of current or former players. Even when they have the kind of success they've had so far with Jones and Jackson Coleman, Freeman's squad tends to miss at least one of its top targets at the position for reasons that aren't immediately clear.
The California native, who now stars at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., chose Alabama over Washington after also giving serious consideration to Tennessee and Stanford.
Osani Gayles commits to Alabama after Notre Dame football fell out of race
"It was a tough decision for sure," Gayles said. "It was really going back in my head between all three schools, trying to narrow it down. It was a gut feeling; I knew that is the spot for me. Looking back at the history of Alabama, talking about it with my parents and family, and praying about it, it was my gut feeling," Gayles told 247Sports after his commitment.
Alabama has had a tough go of it for the 2027 class though the next genertion's offense is starting to come together for the Crimson Tide. Now that they have Gayles and 5-star quarterback Elijah Havens in the fold, Kalen Deboer might be able to really get things going.
Gayles is the second-highest-ranked player in Alabama's 2027 class, just behind Haven, which holds commitments from 13 prospects. 'Bama is ranked at No. 49 in the class according to 247Sports.
Meanwhile, Notre Dame has 21 commitments after a very big week and is ranked at No. 2 in the same rankings. Osani Gayles would have been a very nice addition to the Fighting Irish but his loss to Alabama doesn't sting as much as it would most any other year.
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