Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com OCT. 2, 2021 43 PREP PROFILES Notre Dame has a few spots left in its 2022 recruiting class as of mid-September, and offensive line is a big need. The Irish have three verbal commitments at the po- sition so far in the cycle but would like to add at least one more talented blocker. Huber Heights (Ohio) Wayne's Aamil Wagner — the No. 9 player in Ohio, and the No. 23 offensive tackle and No. 202 overall player nationally per Rivals — is a top-of-the-board target for the Fighting Irish. He talks often with offensive line coach Jeff Quinn. "We talk on the phone or text mes- sage every other day or so," Wagner said. "We were just talking about foot- ball and life. We also talked about our season and how it's going so far. We had a tough loss, and he was telling me things I can work and improve on and what I can tell my teammates to help them." It's well documented at this point that Notre Dame defensive coordinator Mar- cus Freeman and cornerbacks coach Mike Mickens attended Wayne High, and the current head coach at the school, Roos- evelt Mukes, was an assistant back when Freeman and Mickens were on the team. "Even though he's not my recruiting position, he still calls and checks in to see how I'm doing," Wagner said of Freeman. "It's more of personal recruiting than it being about how great Notre Dame is. He keeps in contact as much as possible." Wagner took an official visit to Notre Dame in June and plans to return to South Bend when the Irish host South- ern Cal Oct. 23. "My favorite things about Notre Dame are the academics and opportunity you have after football," he said. "Notre Dame offers a great education, and what it can do for you after football is great." Wagner has previously stated that he would like to take his recruitment the distance and announce a commitment at the All-American Bowl in January. How- ever, he's not locked in with that timeline and could make a decision this fall. "It depends, really. I've always said that when I feel comfortable, I'll make a decision," Wagner explained. "The All- American Bowl is still the plan, but as I go on these visits, I might end up mak- ing a decision. The earliest I'd make a decision would be November and the latest would be the All-American Bowl." — Mike Singer Major Everhart played a high school game on Friday, Sept. 17, flew up to Chi- cago early the next morning for his of- ficial visit to Notre Dame and made it back to Amarillo, Texas, on Monday af- ternoon. It was a jam-packed weekend for Everhart and his family. He was tired from his game Friday but got a jolt of energy once he stepped inside Notre Dame Stadium on Satur- day afternoon before the Irish kicked off against Purdue. "Once I walked through the tunnel and looked up at the crowd, it woke me up," Everhart said. "I had my eyes wide open. It was an amazing atmosphere — very electric and loud." During the game, Everhart kept a close eye on Notre Dame's offense, and while in meetings the following day, the staff spoked to him about how his skill set fits in and gave specific examples. "They were talking to me about Avery Davis and how they use him [as a slot re- ceiver]," Everhart said. "They see me like that in the offense. They can also give me outside zone runs at running back like Kyren Williams and can motion me out." With Saturday being about the game- day experience, Sunday was more sit- down, in-depth meetings with vari- ous folks at Notre Dame, including head coach Brian Kelly, receivers coach Del Alexander, offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, academic counselor Adam Sargent, and strength and conditioning coach Matt Balis. "They're all a bunch of great, genuine guys," Everhart said. "I definitely clicked with them and understood how they'd use me in their program. I liked that too. "Coach Rees is the guy who called me up when they offered. We click really easy and understand each other. He's a great guy and is awesome. "I was with Coach Del most of the time, and he's just like Coach Rees. He keeps it real with you, and we had a great time together." Everhart has now taken four official visits with his previous three being to in- state options Baylor, TCU and Texas Tech. "They're definitely high on my board for sure," Everhart said of Notre Dame. Everhart's best attribute is his speed. At the Texas District 3-5A two-day track meet in April, he won the 100-meter dash with a blazing 10.5 time. — Mike Singer Fighting Irish Battling For Four-Star Ohio Lineman Official Visit Impresses Texas Speedster AAMIL WAGNER ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Wayne H.S. Huber Heights, Ohio Status: Offered Class: 2022 Position: Offensive tackle Ht.: 6-6 • Wt.: 265 Rivals Rankings: No. 9 player in Ohio, and No. 23 offensive tackle and No. 202 overall player nationally MAJOR EVERHART ✪ ✪ ✪ Tascosa H.S. Amarillo, Texas Status: Offered Class: 2022 Position: All-purpose back Ht.: 5-11 • Wt.: 175 Rivals Rankings: No. 84 senior in Texas and No. 13 all-purpose back nationally "Even though he's not my recruiting position, he still calls and checks in to see how I'm doing. It's more of personal recruiting than it being about how great Notre Dame is. He keeps in contact as much as possible." Wagner on defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman "Once I walked through the tun- nel and looked up at the crowd, it woke me up. I had my eyes wide open. It was an amazing atmo- sphere — very electric and loud." Everhart on Notre Dame Stadium