Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BLUEGOLDONLINE.COM MARCH 2025 53 2025 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE from that first showcase," Sharon said. "He wasn't even going to school in the States yet. "Every day there was another offer, and that's when I thought, 'My gosh, I guess he really is this good!" One of the coaches in atten- dance was former Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden, who was impressed with what he saw. He sent word to Joe Rudolph about Black, and the next day, Notre Dame's offensive line coach was on a flight to see this intrigu- ing prospect himself. The only problem was that Black had already returned to Canada. "Coach Rudolph had a great meeting with Will's coach. He told him that they'd offer Will, but they wanted to offer him at their camp and make it special," Sharon re- called. The camp was the Notre Dame Lineman's Challenge in early June, and he landed the offer from the Fighting Irish. Six months later, Black commit- ted to Notre Dame over Michigan and many others. Then came his five-star ranking, which he earned and never relinquished. Black is set to enroll at Notre Dame this summer, and starting as a true freshman on the offensive line, especially without being an early enrollee, is very difficult. But it's also very difficult to keep a talent like Black off the field. Either way, Notre Dame has a player who has drawn more than reasonable comparisons to the great Joe Alt. ✦ WILL BLACK OFFENSIVE TACKLE 6-7 ∙ 292 CHOATE ROSEMARY HALL SCHOOL (CONN.) LONDON, ONTARIO RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE Industry ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 17 4 1 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 4 1 1 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 37 9 1 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 91 11 1 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 20 4 1 NOTABLE • 2025 Navy All-American. • 2024 New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Lineman of the Year. • MaxPreps second-team All-American as a senior. • 2024 Football All-NEPSAC. • 2023 and 2024 Founders League Lineman of the Year. • Has also played hockey, lacrosse and basketball. • Moved to the U.S. in 2023 to pursue football. • Notre Dame's lone five-star recruit in the 2025 class. RECRUITMENT • At one point called Michigan his "dream school" but com- mitted to the Fighting Irish on Dec. 21, 2023. • Recruited by offensive line coach Joe Rudolph. • Visited Notre Dame five times, including his official visit on June 14, 2024. • Held offers from Alabama, Georgia, Penn State, Tennes- see, Texas A&M and many others. 2025 PROJECTION • He's unlikely to begin the season as a starter, but it wouldn't be a shock to see him as one by the end of the season. He is that special. THEY SAID IT BlueandGold.com analyst Tim Hyde: "He's a big dude, listed at 6-7 with almost a 7-0 wingspan. That's an offensive line coach's dream — to have that leverage. Notre Dame beat Michigan for him, and he was favored to go there for a couple months. It's a huge win for Coach Freeman, Coach Rudolph and the whole recruiting staff. "I love his balance. He strikes and has really good leverage and finish; he stands out in those three areas. He has constant pancakes on his film. Black stays low and plays with a great pad level. As I keep watching his film, I see how patient he is." On3 director of scouting and rankings Charles Power on Black's performance at the U.S. Navy All-American Bowl Jan. 11 in San Antonio: "He was very consistent over the week and stood out in 11-on-11 periods, culminating in a strong showing in the game. The Irish pledge worked out of position at right tackle for the East team. And he looked increasingly comfortable as the week wore on. At 6-foot-7 and around 300 pounds, Black has an elite combination of size and movement skills. His reactive quickness and ability to effortlessly work to the second level as a run blocker proj- ect very well to the next level. We saw this on display during the game. Black looked to hold up the best of the offensive tackles on either team. "The Canada native got reps on both sides of the line and was particularly good while working at left tackle — his more natural spot. Black will need to add strength, but the Fighting Irish signee showed high-end traits and upside in San Antonio." Black's natural, advanced athletic abil- ity was evident at a young age, when he shined in a variety of activities. PHOTOS COURTESY THE BLACK FAMILY