Notre Dame Football Recruiting: News and Notes on Top Targets

Mike MonacoJul 27, 2015

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Notre Dame football didn’t extend any new scholarship offers in the past week, but the Irish recruiting team kept humming.

A few prospects checked out campus, while others lined up and postponed visits.

Let’s break down the latest in Notre Dame recruiting.

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Damian Alloway

Credit: 247Sports

Class of 2016 wide receiver Damian Alloway visited Notre Dame on Thursday, and the Irish appear to be in a strong position to land the small speedster.

The 5’8 ½”, 170-pounder from Fontana, California, is listed as the No. 3 all-purpose back and No. 158 overall player in the country. The Irish view Alloway in the slot.

“I knew I was going to come to Notre Dame, and I knew they were going to try and blow me away,” Alloway told 247Sports’ Steve Wiltfong. “They did more than blow me away. I’m speechless what they did today. I was there for nine hours and they made the most of that nine hours.”

“The alumni base, you’re not going to find another alumni base like Notre Dame,” Alloway told Wiltfong. “The power of degree is something different than any other school. The tradition, the Heismans, the national championships, all the winning, it’s a tradition you may not be able to pass up an opportunity like this.”

Alloway told Wiltfong that Notre Dame has a “slight edge” but said he still wants to discuss the decision with his family.

Josh Lugg

Credit: 247Sports

Class of 2017 offensive lineman Josh Lugg also visited Notre Dame on Thursday and left high on the Irish after his second trip to South Bend.

Currently pegged as the No. 27 offensive tackle and No. 177 overall player in the country, Lugg holds offers from Northwestern, Duke, Boston College, Penn State, Virginia Tech, UCLA, Michigan State, Tennessee and Wisconsin, among others.

“Honestly, everything is extraordinary at Notre Dame, and [my mother] felt that. We all felt that on this trip,” Lugg told Irish247’s Tom Loy.

Lugg had originally visited campus for Notre Dame’s Irish Invasion camp in June.

“Last trip was a junior day and there was a ton of recruits,” Lugg told Loy. “It wasn’t nearly as personal, and it was almost more of a business trip. This trip was about me and developing my relationship with the coaches, the players and just getting a better feel for everything.”

Lugg told Loy that Notre Dame, Tennessee, Pittsburgh and Wisconsin are “up there” for him.

“Those are all good schools and the coaching staffs that I have the best relationships with,” Lugg told Loy. “No schools are eliminated or anything like that. That’s just a few schools that are standing out based on my relationships with the staffs at each one. I’m honestly not sure when I’ll make a decision.”

Brandon Burton

Credit: 247Sports

Class of 2016 wide receiver/defensive back Brandon Burton announced his scheduled official visits on Friday and had Notre Dame in the mix.

The Gardena, California, product is the No. 6 safety and No. 131 overall player in the class. Notre Dame offered Burton at the beginning of December.

“They have come after me the hardest, and I like the situation I would be put into on and off the field,” Burton told Loy of Notre Dame.

Dontavious Jackson

Credit: 247Sports

Class of 2016 inside linebacker Dontavious Jackson announced his top 12 schools on Friday, and Notre Dame made the cut.

"
'Top 12' Shout Out to @Hayesfawcett3 & @Claywill3_ for the edits.. Thankful. pic.twitter.com/lezC16aHoS
— Dontavious Jackson (@DCinco__5) July 24, 2015"

The Irish offered Jackson in June, joining a long list of schools fighting for the services of the nation’s No. 4 inside linebacker and No. 123 overall recruit. A Houston product, Jackson is listed at 6’2”, 239 pounds.

Thomas Jones