Latest news with #IrishInvasion
USA Today
16-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Notre Dame legacy target Cooper Witten ranks No. 15 overall in the initial 2027 Rivals300
Seemingly on a daily basis, Notre Dame is making national headlines because of the number of legacy recruits that are either committed or being sought by the football program. One of those Fighting Irish targets made news Wednesday when linebacker Cooper Witten placed No. 15 in his class with four-stars in the initial 2027 Rivals300. The son of former Dallas Cowboys and Las Vegas Raiders star Jason Witten, is an ND target who competed in the program's Irish Invasion event this summer. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Liberty Christian (Argyle, TX) product has been clocked at a 10.91-second 100 meters, and his elite closing speed and football instincts make him one of the premiere defenders in his class. Outside of Notre Dame, Witten has offers from major powers such as Alabama, Michigan, Texas and his father's alma mater, Tennessee. He had 45 tackles, five interceptions (two returned for touchdowns) and seven receiving scores on offense during his sophomore season. In its 2026 class, ND holds commitments from linebacker Thomas Davis Jr. as well as wide receivers Devin Fitzgerald and Kaydon Finley, all three of whom are sons of former NFL standouts. Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions. Follow Dave on X: Miller_Dave
USA Today
14-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
New Jersey linebacker Tahj Gray offered scholarship to Notre Dame
New Jersey linebacker Tahj Gray offered scholarship to Notre Dame Notre Dame's Irish Invasion recruiting camp last weekend was quite the success, and it led to another offer for a standout performer. Class of 2028 linebacker Tahj Gray received an offer from the Fighting Irish following his strong showing against fellow prospects. The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder from St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, NJ) excelled at the camp both at linebacker and defensive end. Making things even more special is his older brother, Chaz Gray, also was offered by the Irish. Chaz is a 6-foot-4, 225-pound three-star edge product in the Class of 2027. Notre Dame's excellence on the recruiting trail under Marcus Freeman and his staff have the program built for sustained success, and it's being noticed nationally. Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions. Follow Dave on X: Miller_Dave
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Recruiting Rumor Mill: Finalists beginning to crystallize for top prospects
Nick Lucero/ It's the busiest month of the year in recruiting and a second Recruiting Rumor Mill was needed this week. Here's the latest from Rivals national recruiting director Adam Gorney. MORE: Decision day nears for five-star quarterback Ryder Lyons | Monday's rumor mill CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage | Player ranking | Team ranking | Transfer search | Transfer Tracker RIVALS CAMP SERIES: Rivals Five-Star heading back to Indy | Rivals Five-Star roster | Schedule/info Georgia, Michigan, Alabama and Oregon are the finalists for the four-star linebacker from Owings Mills (Md.) McDonogh and while there has been a lot of chatter around the Crimson Tide, the Wolverines really impressed him over the weekend. A player panel stood out as Abrams felt like many players on the team and recruits in the building and the academics could genuinely be a serious factor here to push Michigan ahead although a visit to Alabama this weekend is big, too. Albert was supposed to visit Arkansas this past weekend but that trip was canceled as two main programs have emerged as the front-runners. Tennessee and Mississippi State should battle it out for the four-star defensive tackle from Jackson (Miss.) Jackson Academy with a commitment on July 18 planned. Florida State has pulled 'neck-and-neck' with Florida for the four-star running back from Fairburn (Ga.) Langston Hughes as his weekend visit blew him away and the coaching staff made it clear he's a top priority at his position. If the Seminoles can keep up that momentum then things could get interesting but the Gators still could have the advantage. Georgia Tech looks strongest for the high three-star quarterback from Lafayette (La.) St. Thomas More but others are getting involved often and Indiana could become much more in the mix if four-star Luke Fahey heads elsewhere. The Hoosiers would be a team to watch if Fahey ends up at Stanford or Ohio State but the Yellow Jackets lead in Bergeron's recruitment now. Missouri, Illinois and Nebraska are three other top programs to watch but Notre Dame could have the edge after Irish Invasion as the 2027 four-star tight end from St. Peters (Mo.) Francis Howell Central loved his time in South Bend. He mainly worked on offense but the defensive coaches wanted Brown to work on defense as well as they've talked about Brown going both ways. The Irish seem to have a considerable edge right now especially after that trip. If Florida State can flip Currence from South Carolina, it will be because of coach Mike Norvell. The four-star defensive back from Rock Hill (S.C.) South Pointe loves Norvell and how he conducts himself and runs the program plus Currence hit it off with a bunch of assistants - especially Tony White, Patrick Surtain and Evan Cooper - but the Seminoles weren't able to flip him on the visit. Advertisement SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH SOUTH CAROLINA FANS AT Texas is still considered the front-runner - maybe by a wide margin - for the four-star running back from Carthage, Texas but LSU did everything possible to sway him over the weekend. Position coach Frank Wilson even wrote out over 20 names of former running backs he coached that he put into the league and the love Edwards was shown blew him away. The Tigers are making up ground but Texas is still right there. A visit and offer from Ohio State is definitely a major deal to Elkins and if the Buckeyes can keep up the momentum they could be tough to beat in his recruitment. He also thought it was cool he was the only safety recruit on campus recently as he spent valuable time with the staff. But Indiana is going to make a major run at the 2027 four-star safety from Indianapolis (Ind.) Warren Central with Vanderbilt and Kentucky rounding out his top four. SMU, Texas A&M and Oklahoma are three to watch and a great visit to LSU will have Evers thinking but Ohio State is now 'over a lot of schools' after his weekend in Columbus. The four-star offensive lineman from Flower Mound, Texas loved his trip with the Buckeyes, had great talks with tons of coaches including coach Ryan Day and Tavien St. Clair was his host which could put Ohio State over the top in his recruitment. Gibson still feels good about his Alabama commitment after a weekend trip to Ole Miss. The four-star cornerback from Gadsden (Ala.) Gadsden City loves how the Rebels play a lot of man coverage and he hit it off with some players but the feeling is the Crimson Tide are still strongest here. Alabama will have one more bullet to dodge as Gibson plans to visit Tennessee this weekend. Advertisement SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH ALABAMA FANS AT Auburn's coaches were surprised at how smooth Harrington was during a recent workout as the Tigers have entered his top group with Alabama, Miami, Notre Dame and Arizona State and a new offer from Michigan should also join that top list. After a trip over to South Bend in recent days, the Irish will be one to watch closest if he's not set on playing in the SEC. The list remains long for Hasan as Tennessee, Florida and Georgia are up there with Penn State, Florida State and a whole host of others but Notre Dame is making a serious play for the 2027 four-star cornerback from Raleigh (N.C.) Cardinal Gibbons. At the Irish Invasion, Hasan loved working out with 'two of the best' defensive backs coaches and hit it off with coach Marcus Freeman and his vision for the program. The 2027 safety from Louisville (Ky.) Atherton has Clemson surging a little bit in his recruitment after working out there, getting an offer and loving his workout with position coach Mickey Conn. All that will play a major factor moving forward but there is serious competition from Michigan, Ohio State, Alabama and LSU so far. Georgia, Ohio State, Penn State, Florida and Tennessee remain among the favorites but now Clemson is on that list after he got offered by the Tigers and took a visit there. The three-star offensive lineman from Poquoson, Va., had an 'incredible experience' at Clemson and he loved how the coaching staff showed a 'genuine belief' in him both on and off the field. After an earlier commitment to SMU, Lincoln committed to Oklahoma State in April but three others are working to flip him again. Baylor has been the main one coming after the three-star cornerback from Lancaster, Texas with Arkansas and Vanderbilt heavily involved as well. Lincoln plans to be in Waco this weekend. Advertisement SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH OKLAHOMA STATE FANS AT LSU is definitely one to watch especially because of its receiver tradition with North Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, Florida State and Mississippi State involved but Ole Miss remains the team to beat. The four-star receiver from Morton, Miss., had another excellent visit to Oxford recently, playing in his home state is being pushed hard and the attention that staff is showing has pushed them to the top. The Irish Invasion was Miller's first camp ever and he 'learned a lot' from the Irish coaching staff as Notre Dame hasn't offered yet but there is a ton of interest in the program. Miami, Missouri, Iowa State and Minnesota are the other early teams to watch for the 2027 running back from Iowa City (Iowa) Regina. An offer from the hometown Hawkeyes could make it way more interesting. SMU and Texas A&M could be battling it out for the four-star offensive tackle from Missouri City (Texas) Ridge Point and a recent trip with the Mustangs where they sold him on how they could set him up for the NFL and life after football was a huge draw. TCU is also heavily involved here but this looks like a two-team battle. Ohio State, Auburn, Michigan, Nebraska and Florida are the five favorites for Mpouma but Auburn took maybe an insurmountable lead during his recent visit. He had an 'amazing' time on The Plains, the coaches made it clear he's a top priority and even though other visits are expected, the Tigers definitely look out in front. Arkansas, Georgia Tech and NC State are the three standouts for the four-star offensive tackle who's planning to commit on July 7. It wouldn't be a shock to see the Buford, Ga., standout stay home and play for the Yellow Jackets but he loved a weekend visit to Arkansas as he hit it off with coach Sam Pittman and position coach Eric Mateos. One of the top 2028 receivers nationally, a lot could change in Pierre's recruitment but Miami is going to be a major player for the Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade Madonna standout. UCLA, Tennessee, Purdue, Oregon and Missouri have made a big impression as he'll be with the Ducks Thursday and a trip to Tennessee went great especially with how the coaching staff treated him. A strong performance at the Irish Invasion has helped Purcell potentially land a Notre Dame offer as position coach Gino Guidugli told the 2027 four-star lefty quarterback that he 'definitely increased' his stock after the event. The well-traveled QB from Park Ridge (Ill.) Maine South is going to Michigan, Florida and Ohio State soon with Indiana and Wisconsin making a big impression in his recruitment as well. Kansas State is one of a handful of front-runners for Rajecki and the Wildcats took a major step forward this past weekend as the three-star running back from Canton (Ga.) Sequoyah figures out his recruitment. Rajecki and the coaching staff did a great job feeding off each other during the trip and they told him he fits their program perfectly. Vanderbilt, NC State, Memphis and Georgia Southern are the other standouts. A great conversation over dinner with position coach Mason Miller could help Baylor land Robinson as he loves the feeling in Waco and how he was treated on his official visit. The three-star offensive tackle from Lexington (Miss.) Holmes County spent a ton of time with the offensive line group and hit it off with them as Florida State and LSU are the main contenders as well. It would be a shock at this point if Ruxer doesn't end up at Oklahoma as Duke, Minnesota, West Virginia and Northwestern are the others seriously involved in his recruitment. Getting to Norman over the weekend only pushed the Sooners higher as he loves the offensive plan there and how Oklahoma always has good quarterbacks. Michigan has been one of the dream schools growing up and Penn State has not backed down an inch in recruiting the 2028 quarterback from Detroit (Mich.) Cass Tech. Oregon and Maryland are two others to watch and now so is Notre Dame after his visit for Irish Invasion where the coaching staff sold him on all the connection on and off the field he could make in South Bend. The development at Georgia is 'second to none' and that will have a major impact on Watkins as his recruitment continues but leaning on history, South Carolina remains a very formidable foe in his recruitment. The Bulldogs can never be counted out especially since Watkins is a top target but the four-star safety from Rock Hill (S.C.) Northwestern could be tough to pull away from the Gamecocks in the end. The four-star edge rusher from Miami (Fla.) Southridge remains committed to Syracuse but Nebraska is giving him a whole lot to consider. The Huskers are playing a 'big part' in Wilson's recruitment especially after a great visit this past weekend. Coach Matt Rhule and his staff made it clear he would have an opportunity to play as a true freshman and that was music to Wilson's ears. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH SYRACUSE FANS AT
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Legacy recruits James Halter and Xander Edwards set to visit Notre Dame
Notre Dame is set for a big football weekend as the program will hold its annual Irish Invasion camp. The showcase will feature a slew of talented prospects, including two legacy recruits. Central Catholic (Pittsburgh, PA) 2027 offensive lineman James Halter and The Bolles School (Jacksonville, FL) 2028 running back Xander Edwards will visit South Bend and compete in the high school prospect camp. Both recruits attended the Notre Dame Blue-Gold Game this past April. Advertisement Edwards' father is former Fighting Irish captain and fullback Marc Edwards, who played in South Bend from 1993-96 before being selected No. 55 overall by the San Francisco 49ers in the 1997 NFL Draft. He ranks eighth in ND history with 32 career rushing touchdowns. Halter is the son of former offensive lineman Jordan Halter, who was teammates with Edwards on the 1993 team. Halter was in South Bend from 1989-1993, when the Irish finished 11-1 and ended the season No. 2 in the AP Top 25 poll. The rising junior Halter is a 6-foot-5, 265-pounder who holds scholarship offers from 12 schools, including Nebraska, Michigan State and Pittsburgh. Notre Dame has been Halter's dream school, so his development as a lineman will be something to watch. Meanwhile, the rising sophomore Edwards has offers from eight schools, including SMU and Pittsburgh. The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder had 78 rushes for 558 yards (7.2 yards per carry) and 8 touchdowns last season. Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions. Advertisement Follow Dave on X: Miller_Dave This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Halter and Edwards, Notre Dame legacy recruits, to visit South Bend
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Recapping offers, happenings at Notre Dame's Irish Invasion camp
It was a big day for Notre Dame football, as they welcomed in multiple top-end prospects for its Irish Invasion camp. Earlier in the day, it was Texas running back Wayne Shanks Jr. earning an offer, but that wasn't the only one send out following the event. Multiple more players were given scholarships by Notre Dame, and a good part of that was due to the boss, head coach Marcus Freeman being there. Advertisement That's what separates this era of Irish football from others, the fact that this coaching staff is all-in on the program, and it has shown on the recruiting trail. It wasn't just them either, star running back Jeremiyah Love made an appearance as well. Find out below all the other prospects to earn an offer from Notre Dame during Irish Invasion. (Note: All recruits rankings are from the 247Sports Composite.) 2028 Linebacker Tahj Gray The 6-foot, 2-inch and 200-pound New Jersey native must have shown out during the camp, as the Irish are one of the first major schools to send out an offer after Ohio State and Penn State to the currently unranked prospect. Gray has the perfect size for a middle linebacker, and would look great in the Blue and Gold. 2028 Edge Jackson Vaughn Bergen Catholic has been good to Notre Dame, even though one of its former stars in Steve Angeli is no longer with the program. That didn't matter with the offer out to Vaughn, a 6-foot, 3-inch and 220-pound pass rusher. While he's not ranked at the moment, he has over 30-offers as he heads into his sophomore year. 2028 Cornerback Phoenix Evans Another New Jersey prospect getting an Irish offer, Evans is a bit on the smaller side at 5-foot, 9-inches and 160-pounds. That didn't seem to matter after his performance on Friday, showing that his size isn't going to stop him from being a high-level player. Evans also is unranked, but has over 25-offers, and should be soon. 2028 Defensive end Asher Ghioto Notre Dame has put extra focus on Florida prospects, and Ghioto is the latest from the state to earn an offer. At 6-foot, 5-inches and 240-pounds, he's got a very projectable body that could fill out even more by the time he arrives at a college campus. It's going to be tough to get him to leave his home state, but the Irish have shown that isn't an issue for them. 2027 Edge Chaz Gray It was a big day for New Jersey prospects, as Gray was added to the list that Notre Dame offered. At 6-foot, 4-inches and 225-pounds, he's the long, athletic and fast prospect that the Irish look for in an edge rusher. Gray is ranked as the No. 401 overall player in his class. 2028 Linebacker Allen Kennett Unranked at the moment, the 6-foot, 1-inch and 215-pound Californian did what he needed to earn a Notre Dame offer. He's a bit of unknown at the moment, but don't let that fool you. If Kennett is good enough to earn a scholarship, then he can play at this level. This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Notre Dame football offers multiple new prospect during Irish Invasion
