Notre Dame is once again putting together one of the nation’s best secondary classes under position coach Mike Mickens. Yesterday, Notre Dame landed one of the nation’s best cornerbacks, with Towson (Md.) Loyola Blakefield star Khary Adams committing to the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame beat Oregon, Michigan, South Carolina and Penn State to land this talented cover player.
The talented two-way athlete is just a week removed from his official visit to Notre Dame, and it was that trip that confirmed his final decision. Adams relationship with Mike Mickens, his desire to compete for championships and the unique aspects of Notre Dame pushed this one over the line for the Fighting Irish.”It’s a special place,” Adams told Irish Breakdown. “Notre Dame has always been one of my top schools because of everything it offers. The visit was great from beginning to end.”
The relationship with Mickens and the Notre Dame staff has been building since Adams first camped at Notre Dame last summer. Once he received an offer, Adams was drawn to the tradition of Notre Dame and the plans that Mickens shared with him throughout his recruitment.
“I always knew about the tradition,” Adams stated. “They were always consistent with me, and Coach Mickens has coached guys like me and put them into the league. I feel like he’s going to be able to develop me the best.”Notre Dame was always a program that intrigued Adams, but the team’s success in 2024 was one of several factors that allowed the Irish to continue rising up on his list of schools. The official visit was the final piece he needed to make his decision to commit to Notre Dame. There was a moment during the visit with head coach Marcus Freeman that cemented things for Adams. After the recruits ran out of the tunnel, Freeman gathered them all at midfield of Notre Dame Stadium, and what he said next was impactful on Adams and the other recruits.
“We had no clue what was happening,” Adams explained. “Being in that tunnel and taking the field was a moment that stood out and made it feel like home. Then Coach Freeman talked to us in the middle of the field and I knew Notre Dame was my school as we were leaving. It was just something special about it.”I believed him,” Adams continued. “All of us (recruits) felt the same way after we left the stadium. They’re already a winning program, and I believe we’re to going to win a championship when we’re there.”
The Loyola Blakefield star is now relieved, focused and committed to becoming a more complete player on both sides of the ball while leading the Dons’ to a deeper run in the state playoffs.
“Yeah, I’m happy it’s done,” Adams declared. “I got back from the visit and went right back to morning workouts. I’m excited about our team and the season.”
Adams ranks as a Top 100 recruit on the Irish Breakdown board and he earned a 5.0-star upside grade. He also ranks as the No. 30 overall player in the country and the No. 3 cornerback according to On3.
