Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BLUEGOLDONLINE.COM JANUARY 2024 39 FOOTBALL RECRUITING who is the No. 34 running back in the land according to On3. "They do what they do," Williams said of Missouri. "It's the hometown school. I'm not just 'no, no, no' to them. I listen to what they have to say. But I made a commitment, and I'm big on loyalty. I want to keep my word. "It's Notre Dame for sure unless something unexpected happens." On Dec. 1, Notre Dame running backs coach Deland McCullough made it out to Missouri to meet with Williams for lunch at Hannibal High. "It was really nice," he said. "It had been a while since I saw him because I wasn't able to make it up there much during the football season. We talked some football and how he's going to de- velop me and what I need to bring to the table. Communication between him, my parents and me when I'm there was a big thing during our conversation. "It's pretty cool to have someone of that stature to come to little ol' Hanni- bal, Missouri." Williams committed to Notre Dame Dec. 16, 2022, and his relationship with McCullough has become incredibly tight. "It's really laid back," he added. "The more and more we talk, I forget that he's my coach to be honest with you. I can really open up to him. He knows my life better than some of my family members." It's not just McCullough that Wil- liams interacts with, though. He's in consistent communication with head coach Marcus Freeman, director of re- cruiting Chad Bowden, offensive co- ordinator Gerad Parker and director of high school scouting Dre Brown. "Yep — all of them. Every week," he said. Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco's Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, who is the No. 9 linebacker and No. 167 over- all prospect in the nation according to On3, committed to Notre Dame during the summer over Ohio State and USC, a couple of programs that would love to flip him away from the Irish. Freeman and Bowden had an in-home visit with Viliamu-Asa Dec. 7, and com- ing out of the trip, it appears that the four-star recruit is firmly locked in with his decision. "His decision was made on July 23, and if you knew our son, when he makes a decision, he will follow through," Vil- iamu-Asa's mother, Taliuta, said on X (formerly known as Twitter). WIDE RECEIVER COMMITS EXPECTED TO SIGN WITH THE IRISH On Nov. 27, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman stated in his press con- ference that he "would love all of them to be back" regarding his group of 10 assistant coaches. However, that would not be the case. News broke the next afternoon that receivers coach Chansi Stuckey and the Fighting Irish would be parting ways. Notre Dame released a statement confirming the news and clarifying that it was Freeman's decision to not bring back Stuckey. "First of all, I want to thank Chansi for all of the work he put into our pro- gram," Freeman said. "I wish Chansi and his family all the best. "Over the past few days, we had con- tinued discussions on the overall per- formance of our wide receiver group and my expectations for the develop- ment of that position. I decided it was in the program's best interest to part ways." The Fighting Irish have three verbal commitments at the receiver position in the 2024 cycle, and all are expected to sign with Notre Dame when it is all said and done. Glen Ellyn (Ill.) Glenbard South's Cam Williams is not only the gem of the receiver group but the entire class. The 6-2½, 196-pounder is the high- est-ranked prospect on the Notre Dame commit list. On3 lists him as the No. 6 wide receiver and No. 25 overall player in America. Williams told Blue & Gold Illustrated in a text message that he's solid with the Irish despite the Stuckey news. "No, it doesn't impact me at all," Wil- liams said. "It is unfortunate that the guy who's been with me for almost the last two years is gone, but I have a goal with the school and my guys, and that's to win and perform big at the University of Notre Dame." Salinas (Calif.) Palma's Logan Sal- date, who is the No. 48 wide receiver and No. 289 overall player in the land per On3, tweeted out shortly after the news broke that he's "locked in." "I love Coach Stuckey, but I'm locked in," Saldate told Blue & Gold Illustrated. "I committed to Notre Dame and Coach Freeman." The coaching staff has also been in contact with Charlotte (N.C.) Chris- tian's Micah Gilbert, who is the country's No. 29 wideout and No. 157 overall pros- pect according to On3, since the Stuckey news broke and feel good that Gilbert will also stick with his commitment. ✦ Glen Ellyn (Ill.) Glenbard South standout Cam Williams, On3's No. 6 wide receiver and No. 25 overall player, told Blue & Gold Illustrated he is solid with his Notre Dame pledge despite wide receivers coach Chansi Stuckey parting ways with the Irish. PHOTO BY CHAD SIMMONS/ON3.