Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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40 AUGUST 2022 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED BY MIKE SINGER Charlotte (N.C.) Catholic's Jack Larsen committed to Notre Dame June 24, giving the Irish another tal- ented tight end to further bolster an al- ready impressive position room. Larsen selected the Fighting Irish over finalists Clemson, Michigan, North Carolina and North Carolina State. He's an impressive prospect who is ranked as high as the No. 3 tight end and No. 49 overall recruit nationally by 247 Sports. On3 isn't as bullish on him yet, but have him as a three-star prospect and the No. 15 player at his position. According to the On3 Consensus — a complete and equally weighted indus- try-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies — Larsen is a four-star talent, the No. 4 player in North Carolina, and the No. 12 tight end and No. 224 overall recruit in the land. Larsen has Irish heritage in his blood, was raised Catholic and attends a Cath- olic high school. After Notre Dame of- fered him a scholarship on St. Patrick's Day, he seemed destined to end up as a student-athlete for the Fighting Irish. "The education is top notch, the tight end excellence and the Catholic aspect of the school is huge for me," Larsen said. "I want to study business, and the Mendoza School is excellent. I met with academic advisors on my visit, and they're awesome. It's a great fit. "There are so many Notre Dame tight ends currently in the NFL, and the Catholic aspect is definitely something I embrace." The 6-3, 212-pounder has been to Notre Dame on four occasions. He per- formed at a camp last July and returned in October to watch the Irish knock off his home-state North Carolina Tar Heels. He made it back to campus April 12 — a few weeks after he received the Notre Dame scholarship offer — and made visit No. 4 during the first week- end of June for the Irish Invasion camp. He worked out for the staff, and it's safe to say that they were impressed. "Af ter be ing coache d by Coa ch [Gerad] Parker and being around Coach [Tommy] Rees and the staff, it really clicked," Larsen said. "I knew it was the place for me." Larsen told the Irish staff during his visit that he wanted to commit to them but needed to go back home to talk the decision over with his mother and sis- ter, who were not able to make the trip. When Larsen called the Notre Dame staff to give them the good news after getting home, Parker, Rees and head coach Marcus Freeman were probably expecting the commitment call, but that didn't stop them from being fired up about it. "It was special," Larsen recalled. "Coach Parker was fired up and pumped. He's ready to get me there." Larsen is making an early decision by committing a couple months before the start of his junior season, but choosing Notre Dame was inevitable for him. "I knew Notre Dame was the place for me for a while," he said. "I want to focus on my junior season and get a ring with my high school team." He's also relieved that he's commit- ted. "I'm stoked," Larsen added. "I'm ready to be a part of the Irish." Larsen was named to the 2021 North Carolina Southwestern 4A all-confer- ence team. Former Notre Dame offensive line- man Mark Harrell (2012-16) played his prep ball at Charlotte Catholic and is currently on the Cougars' coaching staff. ✦ COMMITMENT PROFILE JACK LARSEN Irish Beat Out Clemson And Others For 2024 Tight End Larsen, who is ranked as high as the No. 3 tight end and No. 49 overall recruit nationally in the 2024 class, picked Notre Dame over finalists Clemson, Michigan, North Carolina and North Carolina State. PHOTO BY MIKE SINGER "There are so many Notre Dame tight ends currently in the NFL, and the Catholic aspect is definitely something I embrace." LARSEN FILM ANALYSIS "Larsen is a pass-catching specialist who projects as a move tight end at the next level. He measured between 6-foot-2 and 6-foot-3 at around 215 pounds prior to his junior season. We see Larsen line up both in-line and split out as a receiver for his high school. He shows reliable hands both in game and camp settings and good ball skills on Friday nights, with the ability to come down with some contested catches. "What sticks out the most about Larsen at this stage is his ability to track the football. He's also quick off the line and shows some promise as a route runner. We'll have to see how he grows, but Larsen currently projects more as an H-back from a size and frame perspective." — On3 director of scouting and rankings Charles Power