On Monday, Notre Dame got some bad news when it lost out on a massive recruiting battle to Penn State for 4-star tight end prospect Cooper Terwilliger. The pain of that loss could be greatly blunted if a recent prediction for the Fighting Irish about Theo Schott comes true.
Late last week, Schott received a prediction from Rivals' analyst Mike Singer that he would eventually commit to Marcus Freeman and Co. That's a big move considering the many Power 4 schools that are now pursuing the 2028 prospect.
The prediction that Schott would eventually commit to Notre Dame came just days before the 6-foot-4, 210-pound Indiana star returned to South Bend, where he observed the Fighting Irish in spring practice and spent more time with the coaches.
Theo Schott’s latest visit gives Notre Dame football more momentum in tight end recruiting
Freeman and his staff also trotted out a weapon the Golden Domers can wield that few other schools at their level are able to take advantage of. “They really harped on the connections and academics,” Schott told Irish Sports Daily. “That’s something you don’t see at a lot of other places.”
“Coach Freeman kind of talked about the culture and how Notre Dame sets you up post football,” The Zionsville, Indiana, tight end added. “We didn’t really talk about football until later in the day.”
Focusing on academics as well as football success has been a trait the Irish have often used in recruiting over the last few years. It's something schools like Oregon can't offer in the same way. ND is seen in many circles as similar to an Ivy League education. That's a resume builder for players once they're done putting on the pads.
Notre Dame can also use its reputation as a program that has long bred spectacular play at the tight end position. With another unofficial visit in the rearview mirror, the biggest question now is just how quickly Theo Schott will commit.