Here are tonight's Lucky Charms...
*** Notre Dame recently offered 2021 running back Byron Cardwell, a 6-0, 200-pound back out of San Diego (Calif.) Samuel Morse, on Monday. We caught up with Cardwell’s head coach, Tracy McNair, who spoke highly of Notre Dame, saying that he and Cardwell both ‘grew up on the movie Rudy’ and that Notre Dame is a special place. He expects the Irish to be a contender for his player’s pledge.
*** It appears Notre Dame is actively looking to add a second running back in the 2021 class with this offer and its pursuit of West Bloomfield (Mich.) High’s Donovan Edwards. We’ve also reported that Montvale (N.J.) St. Joseph’s Audric Estime is very much on Notre Dame’s radar, and we feel that the Irish have a strong chance to flip him. Look for Estime to visit Notre Dame in early December. Going back to Cardwell, he told us on Tuesday evening that he’s not looking to sign with a school in December. He’s hoping visits open up and he can take a trip to South Bend as well, but even if they don’t, he’s still looking to get to Notre Dame.
*** Valrico (Fla.) Bloomingdale defensive back Philip Riley is probably the most popular name on our message board right now. The latest we’re told is that Notre Dame’s potential flip of Riley from USC is still in the works but nothing is imminent at this time. I’ve heard from a couple of people on the west coast (where Riley is from and of course USC is located) that said Riley is still going strong with his Trojans’ pledge, but I just don’t buy it. This smells a lot like his first flip from the Irish to USC, but I will not predict anything with Riley. We’ll just have to wait and see what he does.
*** As I reported last night in Lucky Charms, Notre Dame had a Zoom call with Highlands Springs (Va.) High defensive lineman and Oklahoma pledge Kelvin Gilliam last night. He’s very much listening to the Irish’s pitch and I’m told the conversation went well. Gilliam and his parents wanted to know why the offer came late in the process, and the Irish explained that they had transfers along the defensive line. Gilliam is very up front with Oklahoma about everything going on, which helps the Sooners’ staff stay out ahead of a potential flip. My gut says Gilliam remains with Oklahoma, but don’t be surprised if he holds off until February to make a decision.
*** We don’t believe Notre Dame has completely given up yet, but the Irish staff isn’t making much progress with Indianapolis (Ind.) North Central 2021 athlete Theran Johnson. He committed to Northwestern in May and appears completely locked in with the Wildcats. Notre Dame offered him in September, and it looked promising at first, but Johnson just never was that interested in the Irish. Respect to him for staying with his commitment.
*** Notre Dame recently offered 2021 running back Byron Cardwell, a 6-0, 200-pound back out of San Diego (Calif.) Samuel Morse, on Monday. We caught up with Cardwell’s head coach, Tracy McNair, who spoke highly of Notre Dame, saying that he and Cardwell both ‘grew up on the movie Rudy’ and that Notre Dame is a special place. He expects the Irish to be a contender for his player’s pledge.
*** It appears Notre Dame is actively looking to add a second running back in the 2021 class with this offer and its pursuit of West Bloomfield (Mich.) High’s Donovan Edwards. We’ve also reported that Montvale (N.J.) St. Joseph’s Audric Estime is very much on Notre Dame’s radar, and we feel that the Irish have a strong chance to flip him. Look for Estime to visit Notre Dame in early December. Going back to Cardwell, he told us on Tuesday evening that he’s not looking to sign with a school in December. He’s hoping visits open up and he can take a trip to South Bend as well, but even if they don’t, he’s still looking to get to Notre Dame.
*** Valrico (Fla.) Bloomingdale defensive back Philip Riley is probably the most popular name on our message board right now. The latest we’re told is that Notre Dame’s potential flip of Riley from USC is still in the works but nothing is imminent at this time. I’ve heard from a couple of people on the west coast (where Riley is from and of course USC is located) that said Riley is still going strong with his Trojans’ pledge, but I just don’t buy it. This smells a lot like his first flip from the Irish to USC, but I will not predict anything with Riley. We’ll just have to wait and see what he does.
*** As I reported last night in Lucky Charms, Notre Dame had a Zoom call with Highlands Springs (Va.) High defensive lineman and Oklahoma pledge Kelvin Gilliam last night. He’s very much listening to the Irish’s pitch and I’m told the conversation went well. Gilliam and his parents wanted to know why the offer came late in the process, and the Irish explained that they had transfers along the defensive line. Gilliam is very up front with Oklahoma about everything going on, which helps the Sooners’ staff stay out ahead of a potential flip. My gut says Gilliam remains with Oklahoma, but don’t be surprised if he holds off until February to make a decision.
*** We don’t believe Notre Dame has completely given up yet, but the Irish staff isn’t making much progress with Indianapolis (Ind.) North Central 2021 athlete Theran Johnson. He committed to Northwestern in May and appears completely locked in with the Wildcats. Notre Dame offered him in September, and it looked promising at first, but Johnson just never was that interested in the Irish. Respect to him for staying with his commitment.
