Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com SEPT. 24, 2022 45 PREP PROFILES St. Louis Christian Brothers class of 2023 running back Jeremiyah Love hasn't announced a top schools list, but he seems down to just a couple of col- leges, including Notre Dame. The four-star prospect visited South Bend in the spring and summer, and made it back to campus Sept. 10 to take in the Irish's matchup with Marshall. Blue & Gold Illustrated was at Love's high school game the night prior to the visit, and he spoke about the impor- tance of the visit that would occur the next day. "It's really important," Love said. "It's my mom's first time up there, and I'm really going so she can see everything and meet the coaches. It'll be my first time seeing a Notre Dame game in per- son and meeting with Coach [Deland] McCullough and Coach [Marcus] Free- man again. Those are my guys. "I've been up there a couple times al- ready, and the main reason we're going up there is for my mom." Having his mom sign off on Notre Dame would be a big plus for the Irish. "My parents are helping me make my decision, but at the end of the day it's my choice," he added. "I'm sure she'll like it; my dad likes it a lot." We caught up with Love the day after his Notre Dame trip, and it looks like his mom enjoyed the visit — getting to see the atmosphere inside Notre Dame Sta- dium while also meeting with Freeman and McCullough. "My mom liked Notre Dame," he said. "I haven't gotten to talk to her much about what she thought, but she most definitely liked it." The Irish lost in a shocker to Mar- shall, dropping a 26-21 contest despite being three-touchdown favorites. But prospects typically don't make a deci- sion based on one game that they're not a part of. "The Notre Dame visit was good, and it was an exciting game day," Love said. "Them losing doesn't really affect my decision. I got to meet with Coach Free- man, and as always, he made me feel like I am welcomed there and the vibe was great." Love hasn't announced any top schools, but it seems as if Notre Dame and Texas A&M are the top programs vying for his talents. A decision could be around the corner — or occur later in the fall. "It could be any time," he said. "There's not really a timeline." — Mike Singer On Sept. 1 — the first day college coaches were allowed to directly con- tact class of 2024 prospects — doz- ens of programs must have contacted Tucson (Ariz.) Salpointe Catholic's Elijah Rushing. This surely would have included Michigan State and Notre Dame. Rushing told Blue & Gold Illustrated that those two programs had been re- cruiting him the hardest up to Sept. 1. But now, there's no shortage of schools blowing up his phone. The 6-6, 225-pounder visited Notre Dame last fall to see the Irish defeat Purdue, and he returned the following April — a few weeks after picking up an offer from the Fighting Irish. Rushing is keeping in constant con- tact with the Notre Dame staff, which views the borderline five-star as one of their top targets. "They're really excited about their 2023 class and looking forward to the 2024 class as well," Rushing said. "I'm usually talking with Coach [Al] Wash- ington, but I talk to Coach [Marcus] Freeman, too. They tell me about the prestige of Notre Dame and what that brings along with the football program. They want me there, and I'm what they're looking for. "I definitely feel the love from them. They're always talking about me get- ting me out there for a visit and how much more they want to show me." First-year defensive line coach Al Washington has made an impact on Rushing's recruitment. "He's a good dude, definitely," Rush- ing said. "He knows his stuff, and I like talking ball with him. Whenever I ask him for pointers on my game, he's al- ways on it, and it works." The Fighting Irish have established themselves as a big contender in his recruitment. "The history of the school," Rush- ing said when asked about his favorite aspect of Notre Dame. "When I went on my second visit, I got to learn more about the longevity of Notre Dame. There's such a prestige, and they can take care of you after football. That's stuck with me about the school." Rushing is hoping to take a third visit out to South Bend, ideally this fall. Over the summer, Rushing noted that he visited Florida, Georgia, Ten- nessee, Clemson and Michigan State. His next visit date will be to Florida Oct. 1. His father, George, formerly played tight end for the Gators, and Eli- jah's older brother, Cruz, is a walk-on safety at Florida. — Mike Singer St. Louis Playmaker Enjoys His Notre Dame Visit Elite Edge Rusher Has Interest In The Fighting Irish JEREMIYAH LOVE ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Christian Brothers Coll. H.S. St. Louis Status: Offered Class: 2024 Position: Running back Ht.: 5-11 • Wt.: 190 On3 Rankings: No. 4 player in Missouri, and No. 5 running back and No. 107 overall player nationally ELIJAH RUSHING ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Salpointe Catholic H.S. Tucson, Ariz. Status: Offered Class: 2024 Position: Edge Ht.: 6-6 • Wt.: 225 On3 Rankings: No. 2 player in Arizona, and No. 2 edge and No. 7 overall player nationally