Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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46 SEPT. 16, 2023 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED PREP PROFILES On Aug. 28, Notre Dame director of recruiting Chad Bowden got in contact with Burlington (Ky.) Cooper class of 2025 edge Austin Alexander to discuss how impressed the Irish staff has been with his early junior tape and that de- fensive coordinator Al Washington would be in contact with him that day. Bowden also invited Alexander to campus for the Tennessee State game that weekend, but the four-star pass rusher told Blue & Gold Illustrated that it was the first time he heard from Notre Dame going back to last fall when he visited for the Clemson game. He vis- ited South Bend three times last year alone and loved those trips, but without the Irish recruiting him much it didn't make a whole lot of sense to visit. He still considered taking the trip, though. However, Alexander got a call that changed everything. It was a couple days after Alexander thought he'd hear from Washington, but it was worth the wait. "Coach Washington called me, said he loved what I've shown on film and that they were offering me a scholar- ship," Alexander said. "So, then I knew I had to come up for the visit for sure." It was a big moment for Alexander, the son of Durran Alexander, who graduated from Notre Dame in the late 1990s and was a member of the Irish marching band. "It was pretty awesome to get that of- fer, knowing the prestige and history of Notre Dame," Alexander added. He got to campus of game day around 12:30 p.m., saw the player walk, and got to talk to Bowden, Washington, head coach Marcus Freeman, defensive coor- dinator Al Golden and a few of the Notre Dame commits on the field pregame. He also got to catch up with offensive co- ordinator Gerad Parker, who played his collegiate ball at Kentucky and recruits the state for the Irish. And then, of course, Alexander got to watch the Irish dismantle Tennessee State 56-3. "It was a cool atmosphere with play- ing the HBCU school," Alexander said. "Their band brought a lot of flair. That was really cool to see; I'm a pretty big music guy. The atmosphere at Notre Dame is always excellent, even if they're playing a lower-level team. It was fun." Alexander plans to visit Clemson for their crucial matchup against Florida State Sept. 23 and head to Kentucky when the Wildcats host Alabama Nov. 11. He's also looking at possible trips to Illinois and Purdue. — Mike Singer Grant Beerman's game-time arrival did not deter a successful Notre Dame return visit Sept. 2 for the Tennessee State game. After all, the 2025 linebacker from West Chester (Ohio) Lakota West is all in on the Fighting Irish offense this fall. "I've been a college football fan for a while," Beerman told Blue & Gold Illus- trated. "But the big difference with this Notre Dame team is Sam Hartman. He's an amazing QB. So, watching him in person was really cool for me. He made a bunch of plays. "Being able to watch the offense just tells you what type of team they will be this season. It's going to be, I think, for all Notre Dame fans, exciting. Being able to watch as a recruit, it's also exciting knowing that this team is recruiting me and how good they actually are." The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Beerman first put himself on Notre Dame's radar June 20. The junior linebacker with 11 full- ride college football scholarship offers, five from the Power Five, participated in the program's Evaluation Camp II. Although the Irish have not offered him yet, they continue to evaluate him for one. Through three games in his ju- nior year, Beerman had 15 total stops (7 solo) and 1 tackle for loss. He plays on the same Lakota West (1-2) team as Notre Dame 2024 safety commit Ta- ebron Bennie-Powell. "I really base my performance off how like the team does," Beerman said. "We got off to a rough start, 0-2. But this weekend, Friday, we were able to win 33-0 against a pretty valid opponent in Fairfield. Going into this weekend, there was a much better vibe. So, I was happy with that." Beerman's 3:30 p.m. entrance at Notre Dame Stadium was actually be- cause he remained in West Chester for his team's Saturday morning practice. But that did not take away from an ex- cellent game-day experience. "My favorite part was being so close to the field," he said. "Being right there and right next to the student section is definitely a different type of experience from watching at home or being in the booth. It's an awesome experience. "Even though I didn't experience the pregame or after-game stuff. That was definitely my favorite part. Just being right there on the field practically." Since Beerman is a 2025 recruit, there will be plenty of time and opportunities to hear from the Notre Dame coaching staff. And certainly, others from around college football, too. Beerman has also planned visits to Pittsburgh Sept. 9 and Cincinnati Sept. 23. He also hopes to make it to West Virginia Sept. 16 and Purdue later this season. — Kyle Kelly Four-Star Edge Details His Notre Dame Offer And Visit Ohio Linebacker Makes Successful Trip To South Bend AUSTIN ALEXANDER ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Cooper H.S. Burlington, Ky. Status: Offered Class: 2025 Position: Edge Ht.: 6-3 • Wt.: 214 On3 Rankings: No. 2 player in Kentucky, and No. 18 edge and No. 195 overall player nationally GRANT BEERMAN Lakota West H.S. West Chester, Ohio Status: Not offered Class: 2025 Position: Linebacker Ht.: 6-4 • Wt.: 205 On3 Rankings: None