Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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PREP PROFILES BLUEGOLDONLINE.COM APRIL 2025 41 Lewis Center (Ohio) Olentangy class of 2026 versatile defender Kaden Geb- hardt, a first-team All-Ohio Division I defensive back as a junior, was in con- tact with Notre Dame last summer and was looking at visiting for the staff 's annual Grill and Chill recruiting event, but Gebhardt had to cancel his plans. The two parties fell out of contact but got back in communication in late February. Gebhardt spoke with Fighting Irish linebackers coach Max Bullough Feb. 24, and by the end of the call the 6-1, 200-pounder earned a scholarship offer from Notre Dame. "It was a great feeling," Gebhardt told Blue & Gold Illustrated. "I've always wanted to get offered by Notre Dame. I know it came in a little late, but I'm still going to visit them and see what it's all about. It's great to be back in contact with them." All schools recruiting Gebhardt see him at safety. Just one school is in pursuit of him as a linebacker, and it's his latest offer. "Notre Dame has a history of athletic linebackers," Gebhardt said. "I'm totally fine with it. Notre Dame has one of the best defenses in college football. I'm just blessed to have the opportunity to play for them. "I think I can play either position; I play physical and fast." Gebhardt is fired up to get his recruit- ing process with the Fighting Irish go- ing. He'll be on campus March 22 for a spring practice. "I can't wait to learn more about Notre Dame," he said. "I'll learn a lot more on my visit and meet Coach [Mar- cus] Freeman." Gebhardt has official visits scheduled with Clemson May 30, Ohio State June 6 and Penn State June 13. He has one official visit weekend open (June 20) before a dead period starts the next week and could potentially take midweek officials as well. "I could lock in more officials; I'm not too sure yet," he said. "But I'm going to visit Notre Dame, and I might take a trip to Tennessee. I haven't been there yet, and I got offered by them a few weeks ago." The feeling is that Gebhardt has three schools at the top of his recruitment in the three he's officially visiting. And the Irish, Tennessee and Wisconsin could emerge as bigger contenders and pos- sibly get official visits from him. Gebhardt plans to take his official visits and commit to a school before the start of his senior year. — Mike Singer Gavin Mueller took matters into his own hands. The 6-foot-6, 231-pound tight end recruit from South Elgin (Ill.) High has been on Notre Dame's radar for at least eight months. He first participated in their Irish Invasion high school pros- pect camp last summer and then made two unofficial visits to South Bend. Yet, the Irish hadn't offered. Meanwhile, 20 other schools had. With official visits looming, some have become contenders for his verbal com- mitment. Still, Mueller did not want to consider a decision without Notre Dame as an option. So, he contacted Mike Denbrock and told the Irish offen- sive coordinator and tight ends coach where he stood. "I got a little serious with him," Muel- ler said. "I was like, 'Coach, I'm nar- rowing down my decision. It's going to be hard to keep Notre Dame in the pic- ture since you guys haven't offered me. I'm going to commit in June." Denbrock listened and thought it through. But he wanted to see more. "He said, 'You're right. You showed us everything we need to see. Just send me a couple more workout videos and seven- on-seven clips. Then I'll talk to some people around here and get back to you in a couple of days,'" said Mueller, recalling his conversation with Denbrock. Denbrock called him back Feb. 20 and delivered the news he desired. Mueller finally had a Notre Dame scholarship offer. "It's definitely one of my favorite schools," he said. "They have been. They weren't in a position to make a proposal to me because they went far into the playoffs, which was awesome for them. I just wanted to be honest and upfront with them about my timing. "What I wanted to get back is honesty about their timing and how they feel about me. I said, 'You guys are super high on my list. I really want to make sure you know I'm going to commit pretty soon, and I want to make sure you don't just get blindsided by the fact that you guys aren't really in my options just because I haven't had an offer from you guys." Entering the spring, Mueller is eyeing trips back to Wisconsin, Duke and NC State. He also wants to see Arkansas, Kentucky and Purdue for the first time. Whether those are contenders for his commitment is to be determined. How- ever, his feelings about Notre Dame are more certain. The Irish are a team to watch now that they are an option. "They're definitely going to jump into one of my favorite schools," Muel- ler said. "I'm going to get down for a spring practice, and if everything works out, maybe go on an official visit there." — Kyle Kelly Notre Dame Emerges As A Contender For Ohio Standout Direct Approach Helps Illinois Tight End Secure Irish Offer KADEN GEBHARDT ✪ ✪ ✪ Olentangy H.S. Lewis Center, Ohio Status: Offered Class: 2026 Position: Linebacker Ht.: 6-1 • Wt.: 200 On3 Rankings: No. 41 player in Ohio and No. 62 safety nationally GAVIN MUELLER ✪ ✪ ✪ South Elgin H.S. South Elgin, Ill. Status: Offered Class: 2026 Position: Tight end Ht.: 6-6 • Wt.: 231 On3 Rankings: No. 13 player in Illinois and No. 18 tight end nationally