Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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46 OCT. 7, 2023 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED BY KYLE KELLY Elmhurst (Ill.) York Community de- fensive lineman Joseph Reiff scrapped return visits to Iowa and Wisconsin in favor of a verbal commitment to Notre Dame, which he announced Sept. 24. T h e 6 - fo o t -5, 2 3 0 - p o u n d Re i f f picked the Fighting Irish the day af- ter visiting for the Ohio State game. It was the three-star recruit's third time on campus. He first visited June 20 for the program's Evaluation Camp II. Irish defensive line coach Al Washington of- fered him a scholarship that day. On3 ranks Reiff as the No. 10 pros- pect in Illinois and the No. 39 defensive lineman nationally. He had 21 tackles (16 solo), 8 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 7 quarterback hurries, one pass broken up and a fumble recovery through five games during his junior season. "He's an athletic kid for his size," York head coach Michael Fitzgerald told Blue & Gold Illustrated. "I think that's re- ally what these schools like about him. There is so much versatility to him, his body is not done growing and he has a lot of flexibility. "They know he will be a great player somewhere — whether it's a three- technique with his hand in the ground or more of being a rush-end type guy. Some of that is still to be determined and depends on the defense the school runs as well." Reiff picked up his first scholarship offer from Iowa May 18. He received Purdue's offer June 14, four days after he participated in one of the Boiler- makers' camps. After the Irish offered, Northwestern, Louisville and Cincin- nati eventually followed suit. He a l so ca m p e d a t I l l i n o i s a n d Northwestern. The Illini never ended up offering him a scholarship. Reiff is a Northwestern legacy. His father, Jo- seph, played on the defensive line for the Wildcats. Reiff returned to Notre Dame July 30 for the program's "Grill & Chill" re- cruiting event. That trip was important to prove that the Irish were at the top of his list. "Show that I'm interested," said Re- iff, describing the importance of the visit. "Get to know fellow recruits and coaches. The coaching staff there is great." Two days later, college coaches could begin contacting 2025 college foot- ball recruits. Since Aug. 1, Washington proved to Reiff he was a top priority on Notre Dame's defensive line board. "It's been FaceTimes, texts," he said. "I've been getting good luck messages. After their win against Navy, Coach Washington texted me all fired up. He said, 'Let's go. We were dominant out there.'" Before returning to Notre Dame Sept. 23, Reiff visited Purdue for its home opener Sept. 2 against Fresno State. He also intended to visit Michi- gan, but there is no evidence that the visit happened. Reiff did pay past unofficial college recruiting visits to Iowa (four), North- western (three), Illinois (three), Purdue (two), Louisville, Ohio State, Michigan and Wisconsin. The latter three schools — in addition to Illinois — never ended up offering him a scholarship. Once Notre Dame offered him in June, the Irish positioned themselves well in his recruitment. "Everyone knows the prestige of Notre Dame," Fitzgerald said. "And when you say Notre Dame football, it's a brand name. I think he was definitely over the moon about that one and ex- cited. Notre Dame has a great academic reputation. "Academics are important to him and being set up for life. I think he was really excited about that one." Reiff joined Miami Palmetto three- star recruit Davion Dixon as Notre Dame's other defensive line commit in the 2025 class. The 6-3, 305-pound Dixon is the No. 44 prospect in Florida and the No. 36 defensive lineman na- tionally in the class of 2025, according to On3. The Irish also received a verbal com- mitment from Highland Home (Ala.) High three-star defensive end CJ May Sept. 23. The 6-4, 225-pound May is the No. 13 prospect in Alabama, and the No. 21 edge rusher and No. 242 overall player in the country according to On3. Although Notre Dame already has three defensive line commits in the 2025 cycle, the Irish are still targeting Chicago Simeon Career Academy four- star defensive end Christopher Burgess Jr., among others. The 6-4, 230-pound Burgess also visited Notre Dame for the Ohio State game. He's the No. 2 pros- pect in Illinois, and the No. 10 edge rusher and No. 114 overall player na- tionally per On3. ✦ Chicagoland Defensive Lineman Wastes No Time Locking In Irish Pledge COMMITMENT PROFILE JOSEPH REIFF Reiff is a three-star recruit, the No. 10 prospect in Illinois and the No. 39 defensive lineman in the 2025 recruiting cycle per On3. PHOTO COURTESY ON3.COM FILM ANALYSIS "Joseph Reiff is the fastest-rising player in the state of Illinois. I went to see Joseph about a month before I wrote about him, and he had gained 20 pounds of muscle from the previous year. He has become one of the more heavily recruited pass-rushing defensive end pros- pects in the Midwest. "He brings quick feet, good natural strength and explosive speed to the defensive end posi- tion. He looks thin at 235 pounds and should weigh around 270 pounds at the next level. He's a very active and productive ball player with a relentless style of play. He always plays hard, gives great effort when in pursuit, and has the dynamic quality you look for in an All- American pass rusher." — Prep Football Report analyst Tom Lemming