Notre Dame Looking To Continue Impact In New Jersey With The 2024 Recruiting Class

The Notre Dame program has historically had a high level of success in New Jersey. Even recently we've seen a star like Quenton Nelson, and fellow standouts Theo Riddick, Anthony Fasano, Elijah Shumate and Bennett Jackson.

The current roster is also filled with former New Jersey standouts like Audric Estime, Howard Cross III, Clarence Lewis and incoming freshman Adon Shuler, among others. That pipeline looks like it could again continue in the 2024 recruiting class.

The Irish staff has already closed on one member of their 2024 recruiting class in the state and has eyes on a few more. Let’s take a look at a few of the recruits worth keeping an eye on.

EARLY IMPACT

Notre Dame already landed one Garden State standout in the 2024 recruiting class, landing a commitment from Princeton (N.J.) Hun School defensive lineman Owen Wafle. The 6-3, 290-pound interior lineman has grown tremendously physically over the last year.

He is a disruptive football player who has made plays up and down the line of scrimmage. Wafle may be more than just the glue guy that he was once portrayed as. There is some impact to make plays in the backfield.

Getting Wafle before he blew up physically looks like some very good identification from the Notre Dame staff. Wafle was outstanding as a junior, racking up 64 tackles, 24 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. If his junior campaign is any indication, Wafle has the chance to blow up during his senior year.

AREA STRENGTH

It appears to be a very strong year in New Jersey in the 2024 recruiting class. There is especially very impressive depth both in the secondary and on the defensive line in the class.

Notre Dame has laid close attention to both position groups in the Garden State. It promises to be a very active cycle in the state potentially.

TOP TARGETS

Recruiting the wide receiver position is a big opportunity in the 2024 cycle. Chansi Stuckey signed a dynamic four-man class in 2023 and now has the chance to stack two really good classes in a row.

One underrated member of the wide receiver board is Camden (N.J.) High School pass catcher Jaylan Hornsby. One of the most talented wide receivers on the board for Notre Dame is St. Louis (Mo.) University star Ryan Wingo. While Hornsby is not in the same tier as Wingo, he does win in a lot of similar ways.

Hornsby needs to be talked about more by Notre Dame fans moving forward. He is a very impressive, and talented, football player.

There are several defensive backs from New Jersey on the board for Notre Dame. Names like Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic standout Kaj Sanders and Irvington (N.J.) High School star Vaboue Toure (the teammate of 2023 safety signee Adon Shuler) have been on the board for some time.

It's unknown right now just how high Sanders and Toure are on the board, but Notre Dame went out to West Orange (N.J.) Seton Hall Prep - the home of safety Jaylen McClain - on multiple occasions in the last period the coaches were on the road. McClain is one of the more gifted athletes in the state. He brings a very interesting physical profile to the table. At 6-0 and 185 pounds, McClain has the look of a next level free safety with his combination of change of direction, range and planking ability.

McClain also has no issues throwing his body around in the run game. He is one of those versatile safeties that can do a little bit of everything on the back end.

It would come as no surprise if more New Jersey players are added to the board this spring.

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Irish Breakdown Content

2023 Scholarship Chart
2023 Football Schedule

Notre Dame 2023 Scholarship Offers
Notre Dame 2024 Scholarship Offers

2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Offense
2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Defense

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