Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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FOOTBALL RECRUITING 34 MAY 2023 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED BY KYLE KELLY F or the first time in more than 240 days, five-star defensive lineman Justin Scott was at Notre Dame for an un- official recruiting visit. It was a trip about five times in the making for the Chicago St. Ig- natius College Prep junior. "Just because they were such a high priority for me," said Scott, explaining why he wanted to return to Notre Dame. "I haven't been there in a while. Just being able to con- nect with the coaches again." Scott last checked out the Irish for its 2024-focused cookout on July 26, 2022. He attempted to return for the Marshall (Sept. 10) and Clemson (Nov. 5) games, but family circumstances prevented it. But that didn't keep the Irish from going all in on On3's No. 1 player in Il- linois, and No. 2 defensive lineman and No. 7 overall player nationally. On the first day of the January re- cruiting contact period, head coach Marcus Freeman, defensive coordi- nator Al Golden, defensive line coach Al Washington, wide receivers coach Chansi Stuckey and former offensive coordinator Tommy Rees stopped by St. Ignatius. That visit sparked a Jan. 31 commitment date, on Scott's 17th birthday, only for him to later walk it back after receiving an offer from de- fending champion Georgia. Meanwhile, Scott was also supposed to visit Notre Dame in January but did not make the trip despite setting one up twice. During this visit in March, Scott re- ceived attention from Freeman, Golden, Washington and director of recruiting Chad Bowden. Freeman met with the Scott family before practice and es- corted them into the Irish Athletics Center before the March 25 session. Freeman presented the Scotts with the opportunities Notre Dame provides outside of football. Among the exam- ples he used were Isaiah Foskey's study abroad trip and a professional engage- ment experience in New York. Although Scott is one of the top de- fensive linemen in the 2024 class and has NFL aspirations, Freeman's expla- nation of Notre Dame's benefits off the field resonated with him. "Life after football is a huge factor," said Scott, an all-state pick by the News & Gazelle and a 6A all-state selection by the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association. "I want to say that maybe higher than getting to the NFL because the average player plays what — three years in the NFL? At that time, you're still in your 20s. So you still have your whole life ahead of you." The head coaches at Ohio State (Ryan Day), Miami (Mario Cristobal) and Michigan (Jim Harbaugh) have also spent time with Scott. However, no head coach has given Scott the amount of attention Freeman has. "I spent more time with Freeman than any other coach," Scott said. "I want to say maybe Cristobal, but Coach Freeman, yeah. I spent the most time with him." Throughout the media-viewing por- tion of the March 25 practice, Scott ob- served Washington while he instructed the defensive line during position drills. One thing stuck out above the rest. "Coach Washington is big on tech- nique," Scott said. "I saw, at times, some players would mess up on a lit- tle part, and Coach Washing- ton would make them redo it because technique is over skill. "If I ended up going there, that guy will be coaching me, developing me. I just wanted to see how he gets down and works." Scott also met with Wash- ington afterward. And Notre Dame's second-year defen- sive line coach kept the con- versation geared toward life rather than football. "We didn't talk about ball," Scott said. "We just caught up. Giving life updates on what's been going on. Just talking." Golden also stopped by to visit with Washington during that meeting. And during practice, Scott met for- mer Notre Dame safety and first-round NFL draft choice Kyle Hamilton. The current Baltimore Raven gave Scott a glimpse into his transition to the NFL. "I just asked him about the combine and draft," Scott said. "Because I had seen a lot of videos saying how the combine doesn't prepare you or isn't necessary. He told me people will try to get in your head and throw you off just to see when you fold — you just have to stay yourself." Following his third visit to Notre Dame, Scott is considering making his fourth an official one. "Since Notre Dame is so close, I'm thinking about maybe officially visit- ing," he said. "But since it's so close, I can drive there, spend a few days there and return. They could get an official visit." Scott has official visits scheduled to Georgia (June 2) and Ohio State (June 23). He will also unofficially visit Miami during a spring break trip April 10. Though Scott doesn't have a return trip set to South Bend, Notre Dame's proximity to home (about 100 miles) could end up working in its favor. "I'm a momma's boy, so I can't be too far from my mom," Scott said. "Notre Dame being just an hour and a half away plays a huge role." ✦ Elite Illinois Defensive Lineman Justin Scott Is High On Irish Scott — the No. 2 defensive lineman and No. 7 overall player nationally per On3 — met with Irish head coach Marcus Freeman during his visit to South Bend in March. PHOTO BY KYLE KELLY