Florida Has Its Challenges But Notre Dame Is Still Battling In The State
The state of Florida has become a place that is harder and harder for Notre Dame to have consistent success on the recruiting trail. Historically, the Irish have found a flurry of impact talent in the Sunshine State, and the staff is working to continue making an impact in the state.
Names like Jeff Faine, Tom Carter, Dave Duerson, Pat Terrell, Oscar McBride, Derek Brown and Autry Denson will bring back great memories during their times wearing the blue and gold. Their impact was extraordinary, leading to several All American honors and NFL careers.
In the 2000s, several other notable standouts from the state include former running back Tarean Folston, Armando Allen, Greg Bryant and Dexter Williams, standout pass catcher Kevin Austin, offensive lineman Sam Young and Robert Hainsey, defensive lineman Ian Williams, Louis Nix III and Aaron Lynch, linebackers Maurice Crum Jr., Te’von Coney and Drew White, and safety Zeke Motta.
Again, that group once again floods the memory banks with great moments and impact plays.
The 2024 recruiting class hopes to make an impact back in Florida, a state that might not be easy to consistently get impact talent, but one that the Irish program is still attempting to tap into. Past results have shown that when Notre Dame can tap into that talent pool, they tend to land great football players.
AREA STRENGTH
As is the trend in the state, Florida is once again littered with high impact athletes. If you are in the market for a wide receiver, running back or defensive back, you are in luck. They produce those positions in leaps and bounds.
There is also a lot of defensive line talent in the state, boasting several big time edge talent and interior defensive lineman. Linebacker is another position that has some recognizable names in the 2024 cycle.
IMPACT SO FAR
Unfortunately linebacker was a spot that Notre Dame was hoping to make an impact early on with their recruitment of Largo (Fla.) High School standout Adarius Hayes. A couple of weeks ago, Hayes opted instead for the Florida Gators.
There was no shame in Notre Dame’s efforts with Hayes. They pushed all the right buttons but in the end, he was always going to be a tough pull out of Florida and SEC country.
As it currently stands, Notre Dame does not hold an offer from any Florida recruits in the 2024 cycle. They have their eyes firmly on several key standouts but have some work to do.
TOP TARGETS
With wide receiver being such an area of strength in Florida for 2024, it should be no surprise that Notre Dame is targeting a couple of premier pass catchers in the state. One of the biggest names on the board is Tampa Bay (Fla.) Carrollwood Day standout Bredell Richardson.
The 6-1, 180-pound pass catcher is one of the better wide receivers in the 2024 class at finishing in the air. He is a true boundary wide receiver who brings a high level of physicality and ball skills to the table. Richardson also included the Irish in his top eight schools recently.
There is obviously some legitimate interest from both sides.
A player who hasn’t been on the wide receiver board too long is Tampa Bay (Fla.) Catholic star Terrance “TJ” Moore. The 6-4, 190-pound pass catcher is one of the more underrated players in the state of Florida, and nationally in 2024.
Moore has yet to visit campus but the staff is working hard to get him in for a visit over the next couple of months. It doesn’t hurt the Irish chances that 2024 quarterback commit CJ Carr is Moore’s teammate on the 7-on-7 circuit.
The running back board also has a couple of key members coming from Florida. One of the bigger names is Tampa Bay (Fla.) Carrollwood Day standout Anthony Carrie, who is the high school teammate of Richardson.
Carrie continues to speak favorably about Notre Dame and is planning on trying to make the trip sometime over the next few months. There is, however, some question on whether Notre Dame wants to take a second running back in the 2024 class but Carrie could make that an easier decision.
The program is also keeping close tabs on Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna runner Davion Gause, who is a part of one of the more talented skill position groups in the nation. There are a lot of college teams who would kill for that talent offensively.
The 5-11, 210-pound Gause brings a physical downhill style to the equation that Notre Dame loves. There does appear to be some level of interest from Gause but it’ll be tough to get him out of the South.
Notre Dame is also still attempting to recruit Jacksonville (Fla.) Mandarin cornerback Jon Mitchell.
IMG Academy has not been an overly successful program for Notre Dame over the years but the staff is still continuing to recruit defensive lineman Ernest Willor Jr., who is one of the premier players in the 2024. Willor originally transferred to IMG from Gilman High School in Baltimore, Maryland so he is not technically a Florida native.
Still, fighting for the elite talent out of IMG Academy is a challenge that the staff has in front of them.
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