Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com NOV. 27, 2021 43 PREP PROFILES Notre Dame expanded its wide re- ceiver board in the 2022 class on Oct. 14 when it dished out a scholarship of- fer to Raleigh (N.C.) Millbrook's Wesley Grimes. "It's really just a blessing," Grimes said. "It was great to get it. I'm learning more about the program every time they talk to me." Grimes went to Notre Dame in June and participated in a prospect camp, working closely with wide receivers coach Del Alexander. The Fighting Irish staff decided not to offer Grimes at that point, and the three-star prospect com- mitted to Wake Forest Sept. 7. His com- mitment to the Demon Deacons still stands. The 6-2, 173-pounder is still in- trigued by Notre Dame, though. "I loved the campus; I toured it with my family," Grimes said. "We kept in touch from there as they figured out their scholarship number stuff. Then they finally called and said they had a spot and offered me." Grimes has been in good communica- tion with Alexander, talking to him of- ten before the offer and in recent weeks since the coach extended the news. "I like the coaching staff a lot. They really made me feel at home when I went there," said Grimes. "I really like what they have going on there as a program." To land Grimes, the staff will likely need to host him for a visit. "As of right now, I don't know if I have the time in my schedule, but I'm not against it," Grimes said about visiting Notre Dame. "It's always nice to go visit a school." Grimes has been terrific as a senior, leading to Notre Dame offering him. Clemson, North Carolina, Northwest- ern and Texas are showing interest as well and could offer. Wake Forest's strong season has only helped if hold on to Grimes' pledge thus far. He caught 71 passes for 1,270 yards and 18 touchdowns through 10 games. "They're doing everything I knew they would do," Grimes said. "That's why I committed before the season; I knew they were going to have a great season." Grimes will sign with a school and enroll next summer. — Mike Singer Notre Dame had a big recruiting week- end when the Irish defeated North Caro- lina 44-34 Oct. 30, and a key prospect on campus was class of 2023 quarterback Jackson Arnold of Denton (Texas) Guyer. The 6-2, 195-pound four-star pros- pect saw Notre Dame for the first time back in June when he participated in a prospect camp, so he had an idea of what to expect when he returned. The game-day atmosphere in South Bend exceeded expectations. "It was even better than the first time I went, which is kind of surprising because I loved it the first time I was there," Ar- nold told Blue & Gold Illustrated. "Notre Dame has an awesome campus. Seeing the fall colors made the campus look even better and seeing a game enhanced my experience at Notre Dame." Arnold felt the love from the Fighting Irish staff while he was on campus. He spent a good bit of time talking with the entire offensive staff, which included offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Tommy Rees. "It wasn't necessarily even about foot- ball," Arnold said of his conversation with Rees. "He was just asking about how we've been doing, but of course we did talk about how my recruitment has been going. It was a good, laid-back conversation." Rees extended a scholarship offer to Ar- nold Aug. 4, and the talented signal-caller typically speaks with Rees about once per week. "We have a good relationship, and I want it to stay that way because I really love Notre Dame, the coaches and what the program is doing," Arnold explained. "Notre Dame is defi- nitely one of my top schools right now." Also during his visit, Arnold was able to speak with Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly along with a couple of Notre Dame commits in the 2022 class — running back Jadarian Price and tight end Eli Raridon. Arnold met briefly with Kelly during his visit back in June. During the late Oc- tober trip, Arnold saw a new side of Kelly. "He showed his personality," Arnold said. "He started making jokes and was really laid back. It was cool seeing him behind the scenes." While leading Guyer to a 9-1 regular- season record, Arnold completed 200 of 308 passes for 2,363 yards with 19 touchdowns and three interceptions, and added 424 rushing yards and five scores. — Mike Singer Fighting Irish After Wake Forest Wide Receiver Commit Four-Star Texas Quarterback 'Loves' Notre Dame WESLEY GRIMES ✪ ✪ ✪ Millbrook H.S. Raleigh, N.C. Status: Offered Class: 2022 Position: Wide receiver Ht.: 6-2 • Wt.: 173 Rivals Rankings: No. 16 player in North Carolina and No. 88 wide receiver nationally JACKSON ARNOLD ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Guyer H.S. Denton, Texas Status: Offered Class: 2023 Position: Quarterback Ht.: 6-2 • Wt.: 195 Rivals Rankings: Currently unrated "I like the coaching staff a lot. They really made me feel at home when I went there on my visit. I really like what they have going on there as a program." Grimes on Notre Dame "Notre Dame has an awesome campus. Seeing the fall colors made the campus look even better and seeing a game enhanced my experience at Notre Dame." Jackson on his South Bend visit