Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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48 OCT. 31, 2020 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED PREP PROFILES Notre Dame started expressing interest in Memphis (Tenn.) White- haven class of 2022 offensive tackle Aliou Bah last October, which the 6-6, 316-pounder appreciates. A number of Irish staffers were reaching out to Bah's high school coach last fall, and it eventually led to the big man receiving an offer from Notre Dame. "It kind of surprised me, but it is definitely worth the wait," Bah said of the Fighting Irish offer. Notre Dame offensive line coach Jeff Quinn extended the offer to Bah, who is ranked as the nation's No. 29 offensive tackle and No. 219 overall prospect in the country, on Sept. 2. "It was great to get on the phone with him and build a relationship with him," Bah said. "I learned about him not only as a coach, but as a man off the field. I'm looking forward to talking more with him. "He's a real cool, down-to-earth, genuine guy. He's someone who you can kick it with. He's more than just a coach." Bah is gathering more information about the Fighting Irish, but what he already knows about the program gives him a high view of it. "My favorite offensive lineman in the NFL right now is Quenton Nel- son, and he went to Notre Dame," Bah explained. "He's probably the best offensive lineman in the league right now, and it's only his third year. "Notre Dame developed him very well. The academics there are phe- nomenal — probably one of the best schools in the country." The day prior to Bah re c e i v i n g t h e N o t re Dame offer, he heard from dozens of college coaches. After all, it was basically Christmas morning for re- cruits, because staffs were allowed to start directly reaching out to pro- spective student-athletes Sept. 1. "It was crazy and hectic for sure," said Bah, who holds 32 scholarship offers. "A lot of schools reached out and showed some love. I've been receiving a lot of mail, and it's been great. It's truly a blessing, and I'm thankful for the experience." Bah is listed as an offensive tackle, but would be open to playing any- where along the line. "I've talked to some schools about how I'd fit into their styles of of- fense, but we haven't talked about specific positions," he noted. "I'm an athlete; I'll play wherever I'm needed to play." — Mike Singer As a member of the Rivals100 in the class of 2022 and approaching 40 schol- arship offers, all is well in the recruit- ing process for Larry Turner-Gooden. Of course, the times aren't ideal as he can't take any visits through the 2020 calendar year, but he is forging ahead. "It's crazy, but it's still a good feeling to know that my talents are appreci- ated," Turner-Gooden said. "I can still go to a great college regardless of the situation." Notre Dame is one of the most re- cent schools to offer the Playa Del Rey (Calif.) St. Bernard athlete, with it coming on Aug. 23. "It was obviously a big one," he said. "That's not an offer that's going around and everyone is getting. It's a big offer. I know they're rivals with one of my hometown schools, USC. That's a big rivalry right here. It felt great to get the offer." Turner-Gooden notes that the of- fer came as a surprise — but a wel- comed one. He spoke on the phone with Fighting Irish safeties coach Terry Joseph when he received the news. "He was basically saying how great of an athlete I am," Turner-Gooden recalled. "I hear that a lot, but it was good for him to notice that, and he wants me to come play for Notre Dame." On Sept. 1, Notre Dame was one of many schools to reach out to the 6-1, 190-pounder. It was the first day col- lege coaches were allowed to initiate contact with 2022 recruits. "We're most definitely going to be staying in touch," he added. Rivals lists Turner-Gooden as an athlete, and he is listed as the No. 5 player at the spot nationally. Addition- ally, he's the No. 8 prospect in the state of California and the No. 62 overall player in America. "I'm an athlete; I can play any- where," he said. "I hear a lot of safety, but I think that's because a lot of peo- ple haven't seen me on the offensive side of the ball. But really, I'm a spe- cial teams guy, defensive player, of- fensive player — just a football player all around." Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, USC and Washington are among Turner-Gooden's notable offers. — Mike Singer Four-Star Tennessee Tackle Excited To Add Notre Dame Offer Fighting Irish Offer Elite California Recruit ALIOU BAH ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Whitehaven H.S. Memphis, Tenn. Status: Offered Class: 2022 Position: Offensive Tackle Ht.: 6-6 • Wt.: 316 Rivals Rankings: No. 29 offensive tackle and No. 219 overall player nationally LARRY TURNER-GOODEN ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ St. Bernard H.S. Playa Del Rey, Calif. Status: Offered Class: 2022 Position: Athlete Ht.: 6-1 • Wt.: 190 Rivals Rankings: No. 8 player in California, and No. 5 athlete and No. 62 overall player nationally "It kind of surprised me, but it is definitely worth the wait." Bah on his Notre Dame offer "It was obviously a big one. That's not an offer that's going around and everyone is getting." Turner-Gooden on his Notre Dame offer