Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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football recruiting to cover his ears at times during the game against USC, and that's something he's never done at a game before. "I really couldn't believe how loud that place was. It hurt my ears at times," the 6-3, 190-pound recruit noted. "I didn't really know what to expect, but it was crazy and so much fun. Nick and I were surprised how excited all the fans were. You can see that they love Notre Dame a lot. "I'd say that Notre Dame is my leader, but it's close. I have a couple schools up there and a few I want to visit, but I'd say they're on top for me. I had a real good time." Fort Wayne, Ind., three-star linebacker Drue Tranquill may be committed to Purdue, but that could be changing soon. The 6-2, 210-pound prospect spent a lot of time with a few of the Notre Dame commits and targets, and could end up flipping his commitment to the Irish. "I loved all the people I was able to meet and the people I was able to be around at Notre Dame," said Tranquill, the No. 31 safety nationally and the No. 7 prospect in Indiana, according to 247Sports. "[Quarterback commit] DeShone Kizer was one of the guys I got to know the best. He's a great guy. We were able to talk academics and athletics, as well. "I also got to talk to Allen Lazard. He's an Iowa State commit going through the same thing I am. He seems like a cool kid with a great background, and he could be the potential hometown hero at Iowa State like I could be at Purdue. It's getting tough to turn down Notre Dame, though." Notre Dame was very close to adding its second commitment from the 2015 class in Pocatello, Idaho, four-star center Tristen Hoge. Heading into his unofficial visit to South Bend, the 6-5, 287-pounder had a few schools near the top, but that was not the case when he left campus Oct. 20. "I have obligated myself to visit Florida, but I told Coach [Harry] Hiestand that I feel it in my heart that I could sport the Golden Dome, and I almost ended my recruitment," said Hoge, who is ranked as the No. 92 overall recruit in the 2015 class, the No. 1 center in the country and the No. 1 prospect in Idaho. "I plan on returning this winter for another visit, but Notre Dame is definitely on top. "Notre Dame has the most authentic atmosphere that I have ever experienced. I had the best time here, and I plan on being back really soon. The game was fantastic, and it was very, very fun for me and my family. This was the first trip that I ever took for a game at Notre Dame, and it literally couldn't have been a better experience. I love this place." Hoge will visit Florida Nov. 30, but a commitment to Notre Dame could come shortly after that trip. Notre Dame may not have picked up any commitments immediately following the defeat of USC, but its future is looking up on the recruiting front. With only 16 commitments on board in the 2014 class and 24 or 25 prospects expected, the next few months should be an exciting time for fans of the Fighting Irish. ✦