Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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74 MARCH 2025 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2025 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY TODD D. BURLAGE I n many ways, this recent develop- ment of Notre Dame finally tapping into the Wisconsin recruiting market feels like an overdue reunion with a long-lost friend. And the signing of 2025 four-star offensive lineman Owen Strebig out of Catholic Memorial (Waukesha) serves as more evidence that the Badger State is reemerging as a prospect hotbed for the Irish after it sat dormant for more than 20 years. Following the commitment of de- fensive lineman Brian Beidatsch (Mil- waukee) in 2001, Notre Dame went 21 years before it inked its next recruit from Wisconsin. That came when it signed starting offensive guard Billy Schrauth (Fond Du Lac), the state's No. 2-ranked player in 2022. And now, after landing only one Wisconsin player in 24 recruiting cycles, the Irish coaches pulled three in this 2025 class, and they're all good ones. Tight end James Flanigan (Green Bay) is rated as the No. 1 overall player in Wisconsin per the On3 Industry Rank- ing, while Strebig is the No. 2 player and kicker Erik Schmidt (Milwaukee) is No. 22. Schmidt is also the No. 2 kicker in the country per the On3 Industry Ranking. Strebig likely doesn't care much about a geography lesson or a histori- cal tutorial in regional recruiting. Be- cause the Irish early enrollee is already on campus, hoping to someday add his name to the growing list of Irish All- American lineman and NFL prospects. "You get the best of all worlds," Strebig said. "It is not only with aca- demics and football, but there are great people on the staff that I can be around. I trust them. I think it's a place for me to get developed, and they can also help me chase my dreams of play- ing on Sundays." Strebig, whose offer sheet included USC, Florida State, Miami and home- state Wisconsin, said he started com- paring those schools to Notre Dame after a visit to South Bend in July 2024. None of his other options stacked up, and so Strebig didn't waste any time making his choice. "This is where I want to be," Strebig said. "I want to be part of Notre Dame and I'm excited to be part of it." And Strebig went on to say that Irish head coach Marcus Freeman is a pri- mary reason why. "He is such a laid-back guy when you talk to him," Strebig said of his new coach. "He truly believes in what Notre Dame is. I think that's the biggest thing." When Strebig, Flanigan and Schmidt take the field at Notre Dame, they will bring the total to 90 Wisconsinites to suit up for the Fighting Irish. And all three hope to put their names along- side the Irish greats from the state that include: tight end Dave Casper (Chil- ton, 1971-71); defensive lineman Jim Flanigan (Sturgeon Bay, 1990-93); and running back Rocky Bleier (Appleton, 1965-67). ✦ Owen Strebig Adds To Wisconsin Recruiting Upswing OWEN STREBIG OFFENSIVE LINEMAN 6-8 ∙ 298 WAUKESHA CATHOLIC MEMORIAL H.S. BROOKFIELD, WIS. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE Industry ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 279 21 2 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 57 8 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ — 27 2 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 182 23 2 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 117 17 1 STATISTICS • Was part of an offensive line that helped pave the way for 2,283 yards and 34 touchdowns on 374 rushing attempts (6.1 yards per carry) as a senior. • Catholic Memorial ended the 2024 season 11-3 and lost in the Division 3 Wisconsin state champi- onship game. NOTABLE • 2024 Wisconsin Sports Network Joe Thomas Award (most outstanding senior offensive lineman in Wisconsin). • As a senior, named to the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association (WFCA) Large School All-State team. • 2023 and 2024 WFCA All-Region 3 Large School team selection. • Parkland Conference Lineman of the Year as a senior and a first-team all-conference pick as a junior and senior. RECRUITMENT • Enrolled at Notre Dame in January. • Committed to the Fighting Irish on Feb. 8, 2024. • Picked the Irish over Florida State, Miami, USC and Wisconsin. • Recruited by offensive line coach Joe Rudolph. • Visited Notre Dame twice, including his official visit on Nov. 17, 2024. 2025 PROJECTION • Expected to redshirt. THEY SAID IT BlueandGold.com football analyst Tim Hyde: "He's a fun one to watch. He plays with really good fundamentals, which I love. Strebig is huge, has great footwork and is an outstanding basketball player. He plays low to the ground for his size, is pinning and pulling, and is going to keep growing. "Strebig is super elite already with his move- ment. I'd play him at right tackle with his massive size and punch as a pass blocker." Prep Football Report recruiting analyst Tom Lemming: "I saw him a couple years ago and gave him five stars. He's so big and doesn't have an ounce of fat on him. He's tall and muscular. To me, he's a phenomenal looking athlete and has dominated at the high school level. He and James Flanigan [another Notre Dame signee] are the top two recruits in Wisconsin. "He's a big-time athlete and moves well for someone who is 6-8. And when I saw him a cou- ple years ago, and other offensive linemen were dwarfed next to him. With the right coaching, he's going to be another All-American at offensive tackle for Notre Dame." Strebig is listed as a four-star talent, the No. 2 player in Wisconsin, and the No. 21 offensive tackle and No. 279 overall prospect in the country per the On3 Industry Ranking. PHOTO BY KYLE KELLY