Five-star defensive lineman Justin Scott schedules next Notre Dame visit
Notre Dame’s upcoming recruiting visitors weekend just became a whole lot bigger … both figuratively and literally. On Monday, 2024 five-star defensive tackle Justin Scott announced that he would return to South Bend for an unofficial visit.
The 6-foot-5, 310-pound Scott is visiting Notre Dame for the first time since a roller coaster month of January that included a near commitment.
On the first day of the January recruiting contact period, the Irish sent a contingent of five coaches — Marcus Freeman (head), Al Golden (defensive coordinator), Al Washington (defensive line), Tommy Rees (former offensive coordinator) and Chansi Stuckey (wide receivers) — to his high school, Chicago St. Ignatius Prep.
Their trip to the Catholic Jesuit college prep institution sparked a surprise that featured Scott setting a Jan. 31 commitment date, the same day as his 17th birthday. Four days later, Georgia, his dream school, offered. And 10 days after that, Scott postponed his commitment date.
Still, Notre Dame looked to be in front for the standout recruit. The Irish were supposed to host Scott on an unofficial college recruiting visit on one of two days — Jan. 21 or Jan. 29. However, he never made the about 95-mile trip to South Bend.
Scott’s unofficial visit to Notre Dame on March 25 a welcome sign
Scott’s March 25 visit to Notre Dame will mark his first visit since attending a 2024 class-focused recruiting event on July 26. Previously, his only other trip to South Bend was for the Georgia Tech game on Nov. 20, 2021. He picked up an offer from the Irish last May.
Ranked by On3 as the No. 7 overall player, No. 2 defensive lineman and No. 1 player in Illinois, Scott headlines a three-day visitors weekend that includes 15 other recruits confirmed by Blue & Gold. He is the top-ranked 2024 recruit among the group.
Blue & Gold has also reported that 2024 class targets tight end Jaden Reddell and cornerback Jon Mitchell will be on campus this weekend. So will cornerback commit Karson Hobbs. But Scott is by far the most important recruit.
The On3 Industry Ranking — a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services — considers Scott the No. 16 overall player, No. 3 defensive lineman and No. 1 player in Illinois.
Scott tabbed Notre Dame in a top eight on Jan. 8 — before Georgia offered — that also included Alabama, Colorado, Miami (Fla.), Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon and Southern California. He will officially visit Georgia from April 14-16 and Miami in June.
