2023 OL Joe Otting commits to Notre Dame football
Topeka (Kan.) Hayden offensive lineman Joe Otting has announced his commitment to Notre Dame, giving head coach Marcus Freeman another solid addition to his 2023 football recruiting class.
Otting, who stands at 6-4 and 270 pounds, saw his recruitment with Notre Dame come together quickly. He landed an offer from the Fighting Irish May 4 after offensive coordinator Tommy Rees saw him work out at Hayden High. Offensive line coach Harry Hiestand told Otting of the good news of a scholarship offer that night.
A month later, Otting made it out to South Bend to participate in the Lineman’s Challenge and essentially “earned” his offer at that point, showing the entire staff what he has to offer.
“The rich tradition of football they have going on there, and their development of offensive linemen is pretty impressive,” Otting previously told Blue & Gold when asked what interests him about the school.
Just three days after his performance at the Lineman’s Challenge, Otting announced that he’s committed to the Fighting Irish. He did have official visits lined up with Iowa and Kansas State in June, but now, the only official he’ll take is to Notre Dame.
Otting doesn’t seem to be on the radar all that much of the four major recruiting media companies. ESPN doesn’t have him ranked yet, while the other three outlets list him with a three-star rating.
The On3 Consensus — which equally weighs the four outlets — lists him as the No. 7 player in Kansas, and the No. 62 interior offensive lineman and No. 689 overall prospect in America. On3’s own rankings have Otting a bit higher, listing him as the No. 5 player in Kansas and the No. 42 interior offensive lineman in the country.
Kansas State, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Baylor, Minnesota, Iowa State and New Mexico had also offered Otting.
He becomes Notre Dame’s third offensive line commitment in the 2023 class, joining Belmont (N.C.) South Point’s Sullivan Absher and Pfafftown (N.C.) Reagan’s Sam Pendleton. The Irish seem to be in prime position to land a couple more offensive line recruits before the summer is over as well.
Otting is Notre Dame’s 14th overall commitment in the 2023 class and six on offense.
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The Joe Otting file
KHSAA Covered and Sports In Kansas list him on their respective 2021 Kansas All-Class 3A first-team offensive line. He’s on the second-team offensive line for the 2021 All-Gannett Kansas High School Football Teams. Otting was also listed in the inaugural TopSports.news Top 22 All-Shawnee County football team following his junior campaign.
Along with playing football at Hayden, Otting — who reports a 3.7 GPA — also stars on the basketball and track & field teams. He made the 2021-22 Centennial League All-League boys basketball second team. He throws the shot put, javelin and discus in track & field.
Otting, who grew up Catholic, is the younger brother of Andy Otting, who played tight end for Division II Pittsburgh State, and Taylor Otting, who played on Division II Emporia State’s volleyball team.
