Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com JANUARY 2022 51 Las Vegas Bishop Gorman class of 2023 cornerback Justyn Rhett an- nounced his commitment to Notre Dame Dec. 11, selecting the Fighting Irish over finalists Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma and Tennessee. "I chose Notre Dame because ever since the first time I visited, I felt like it was a special place," Rhett told Blue & Gold Illustrated. "As I was narrow- ing my schools down, I figured that this was the best choice for me and option for me to go." Rhett participated in Notre Dame's Irish Invasion camp June 6 and ran a 4.43 40-yard dash. He received an of- fer from the Fighting Irish, and Notre Dame instantly jumped to the top of his list. He built a strong relationship with Irish cornerbacks coach Mike Mickens and then-defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman in the following months. The 6-0, 189-pound four-star pros- pect called Mickens to inform him of his commitment. "He was in the room with Coach Freeman and Coach [Chris] O'Leary," Rhett recalled. "They were all hyped up, and we were talking about the process of how this was all going to go down. I didn't know that they were all together, so that was a really cool experience." If Freeman hadn't been hired to re- place Brian Kelly, who left his post as Notre Dame's head coach for LSU, then who knows where Rhett's recruitment would stand right now. A new Notre Dame staff would have had to start over from square one with him. " I t's a b i g i m p a c t ," R h e t t s a i d of Freeman staying at Notre Dame. "Coach Freeman and Coach Mickens were the two who recruited me to the school. I feel very strongly with Coach Freeman being the head coach. I really like that. "We talk weekly. It's always a good connection with them." Rhett visited Notre Dame for a second time Oct. 23 when the Irish knocked off USC 31-16. It was at that point Rhett knew he wanted to spend his future in South Bend. "At first, I had a strong feeling, but then I didn't pay much attention to commit- ting because I figured I wouldn't commit until later, probably my senior year," Rhett explained. "But as I was looking around [at other schools], it just felt right with Notre Dame — nothing else compared." In six games as a junior, Rhett re- corded 14 tackles and broke up three passes in helping lead Bishop Gorman to a Nevada Class 5A state championship. "As a corner, I'm very physical, play good in man coverage and I can play zone as well," Rhett said. "I can fit in great with their defense." While Rhett is looking forward to playing in Freeman's defensive scheme, it wasn't a deciding factor. "That helped, too, but Notre Dame didn't need all of that for them to get me," he said. "I liked everything else about them already — the coaching staff, the school, the campus. I liked the whole vibe when I was there." Rhett's defensive backs coach at Bishop Gorman is Nicco Fertitta, who played safety and primarily on special teams for the Irish from 2015-18. Rhett has had many conversations with Fer- titta about what Notre Dame can offer him on and off the field. Rhett's father, Troy, was a cornerback for Albany, an FCS program in New York, from 1995-99. He couldn't be more excited about his son's commit- ment to Notre Dame. "I know that football only lasts but so long; it's about after football," the elder Rhett said. "I'm more concerned about building character in him that will last him the rest of his life. The football part is obviously very important, but build- ing character for Justyn is very impor- tant to me, and something that Notre Dame offers is the best of both worlds." Rivals ranks Rhett as the No. 2 pros- pect in Nevada, and the No. 8 corner- back and No. 50 overall player in the country. Rhett would like to major in business and get into commercial real estate after his football career is over. He is committed to playing in the 2023 Under Armour All-America Game and also has been invited to play in the All-American Bowl. ✦ COMMITMENT PROFILE JUSTYN RHETT Elite 2023 Cornerback Chooses Notre Dame Over Alabama And Georgia Rivals lists Rhett as a four-star talent, the No. 2 prospect in Nevada, and the No. 8 cornerback and No. 50 overall player in the class of 2023. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM FILM ANALYSIS "Justyn Rhett is as athletic as they come with the length, the long arms and the quick hands to become a superior cover corner. His athleticism is off the charts as is his potential. He shows good cover instincts and is a physical tackler. Smart and disciplined, Rhett shows fluid movements, a smooth backpedal and good man awareness. He plays for one of the top programs in the country." — Prep Football Report recruiting analyst Tom Lemming "It's a big impact. Coach Freeman and Coach Mickens were the two who recruited me to the school. I feel very strongly with Coach Freeman being the head coach. I really like that." RHETT ON MARCUS FREEMAN AND CORNERBACKS COACH MIKE MICKENS STAYING AT NOTRE DAME