Jaylen McClain Explains Notre Dame's Place In His Updated Top Ten Schools

Flashing back to December, Notre Dame extended an offer to West Orange (N.J.) Seton Hall Prep 2024 standout safety Jaylen McClain. At the time, it was a well received offer by the talented defensive back.

Irish defensive coordinator Al Golden was the one who traveled to Seton Hall and surprised McClain with the offer. It was a surreal moment for McClain, who had an interesting connection to Coach Golden.

"The moment was really crazy for me because (Golden) had recruited my father out of high school and is now recruiting me,” McClain told Irish Breakdown. "My father ended up going to Syracuse, but it was still a cool coincidence. It was pretty crazy to think how small the world is. We had a good laugh about it.”

Flash forward to this past weekend and Notre Dame found a place among McClain’s updated Top Ten list. They were joined by Georgia, USC, Michigan, Penn State, Oregon, Tennessee, Michigan State, Stanford and Rutgers

Where is home🏡? @jgpvisuals @CoachBFitz @RivalsRichie @RivalsFriedman @On3Recruits @BrianDohn247 @ShawnB_247 pic.twitter.com/IHMbcQ8zzC
— 𝖩𝖺𝗒𝗅𝖾𝗇⁸ (@Jaylenmcclain08) February 11, 2023

McClain has continued to be extremely complimentary of the Notre Dame program. It should be no surprise that they were a part of the list.

"Notre Dame is a school that gives you the best of both worlds and that’s a big reason why they made the list,” explained McClain. "They play tough football, develop and send people to the league along with a degree that holds weight. There’s nothing that they can’t provide.”

Over the next few months, it promises to be a very busy time for McClain. Now that basketball season is winding down, the visit schedule will begin to get finalized. South Bend promises to be one of those destinations.

"I have a really good relationship with Notre Dame,” he said. "The plan is to get up there soon.”

It will be a massive opportunity for the Irish staff to get McClain on campus, especially because he does plan to make his commitment before his senior season. Notre Dame is in this one and could be a part of the program continuing to have a high level of success in New Jersey.

McClain is currently ranked as high as the No. 99 overall player and No. 7 safety in the 2024 recruiting class according to On3. ESPN sees McClain similarly, currently pegging him as the No. 147 overall player and No. 12 safety in the class on their ranking.

The New Jersey standout had a fantastic junior campaign for Seton Hall Prep. From his safety position, he finished third on the team in tackles with 83 total. The 6-0, 185-pound defensive back also recorded an interception and sack on the season.

On the offensive side of the football, McClain also scored a touchdown as a wide receiver. His touches were limited on that side of the football.

His offer list grows more and more impressive by the day. Some of his other notable offers include LSU, Texas A&M, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Pittsburgh, Kentucky, Maryland, Syracuse, Louisville and Duke among others.

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Notre Dame 2024 Scholarship Offers

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

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