Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BLUEGOLDONLINE.COM MARCH 2024 43 2024 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY KYLE KELLY A s most Notre Dame foot- ball fans would, Karson Hobbs recalled the moment vividly. The three-star cornerback from Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller was one of the fast- est-rising cornerbacks in the Midwest in September 2022. The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder is also a lifelong diehard Fight- ing Irish fan. He would not forget the day Notre Dame director of recruiting Chad Bowden invited him to cam- pus on a recruiting visit. "I had to go get my dad real quick to make sure it was real," Hobbs told Blue & Gold Illustrated. "I was like, 'Dang, Notre Dame just texted me.'" What made matters confus- ing is Hobbs, now On3's No. 27 prospect in Ohio and No. 55 cornerback nationally, was verbally committed to South Carolina. His father, Daniel Hobbs, pointed that out im- mediately — adding further skepticism to the invitation. It was not until Bowden called the younger Hobbs that he knew it was not a hoax. "Chad was like, 'This is real life, kid. Do you want to come up for the Marshall game?'" Hobbs said. Hobbs had a schedule conflict that week. However, he made it the follow- ing one for the California game on Sept. 17, 2022. Head coach Marcus Freeman and cornerbacks coach Mike Mickens, both products of nearby Huber Heights (Ohio) Wayne, offered him a scholarship on the field pregame. That was a mo- ment Hobbs — and his father — will also remember. "My dad stepped over to the side, near the bleachers, and cried," Hobbs said. "He was boo-hooing over there. He said, 'I always told Karson as a kid he would be able to play here one day.' I was like, 'All right. We're good. We got it.'" For the 2024 recruit, it was strictly business. He had a decision to make. His South Carolina pledge occurred about seven weeks earlier. Still, after the Irish offered, they prioritized him. He said Freeman, Mickens and Bowden called him daily. "It was to the point where it became unbearable," Hobbs said. "This is my dream school." Eventually, Hobbs scheduled another visit for the Week 10 game at Clem- son. He talked to Bowden and the staff to know this one was real. Several days later, on Nov. 9, 2022, he flipped his commitment to Notre Dame. It was a dream come true. "They've got all the connections in the world and a great degree," he said. "I was like, 'What am I waiting on?' So, I de- committed [from South Carolina], com- mitted to Notre Dame and that was it." ✦ Joining The Irish Is A 'Dream Come True' For Karson Hobbs KARSON HOBBS CORNERBACK 6-1 ∙ 180 ARCHBISHOP MOELLER H.S. CINCINNATI RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ — 55 27 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 55 23 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 55 23 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 56 24 STATISTICS • Finished his career with 84 tackles, 1 sack, 3 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles and 27 pass breakups. • Recorded 34 tackles (15 solo), 0.5 stops for loss, 2 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery and 12 passes broken up in 15 games as a senior. • Had 29 stops (22 solo), 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble, 11 passes broken up and a blocked kick in 13 games as a junior. NOTABLE • Earned first-team All-Southwest Ohio, first- team All-Cincinnati, second-team All-Ohio and Cincinnati Enquirer All-Star honors in 2023. • Has run a 4.4 40-yard dash and hit 21.9 miles per hour in a game. • Was also a four-year letter winner in track and field, and contributed to Moeller's record-holding team in the 4x100- and 4x200-meter relays. • His father, Daniel Hobbs, played football at Centre College. • His brother, Fausto, played football at FIU. RECRUITMENT • Committed to the Irish on Nov. 9, 2022. • Will enroll at Notre Dame during the summer. • Was previously committed to South Carolina. • Recruited by cornerbacks coach Mike Mickens. • Visited Notre Dame nine times, including his official visit on June 9, 2023. 2024 PROJECTION • Could become a possible special teams con- tributor but looks to be a redshirt candidate. THEY SAID IT Blue & Gold analyst Tim Hyde: "He is tall, long and lean. He reminded me of Cam Hart because he played a ton of receiver as a junior. I love the fact that he's from the Cincinnati Catholic League. That is a top-five league in all of high school football. "He's a smooth football player with great foot- work. … He comes from a highly competitive high school football program that is very well coached." Prep Football Report recruiting analyst Tom Lemming: "Hobbs has good size and speed. He plays for one of the top programs in the Midwest. He always seems to be in the right position all the time. He's a smart, heady ball player. He's got some physicality to him and obviously some speed. "[Mike] Mickens liked this kid a lot, which says a lot because Mickens is on a lot of the top corners. It just comes down to how much he develops at Notre Dame. He's got the ability to become an elite player." On3 rates Hobbs — who originally pledged to South Carolina before flipping to Notre Dame — as the No. 27 recruit in Ohio and the No. 55 cornerback in the country. PHOTO COURTESY ON3.COM