LOOK: Notre Dame HC Marcus Freeman at five-star safety commit Peyton Bowen’s high school game
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman and safeties coach Chris O’Leary are in Denton, Texas to watch their prized five-star safety commit Peyton Bowen on Friday night, reports Blue & Gold, which is on-site.
Bowen’s younger brother, Eli, is a Notre Dame cornerback prospect who the Fighting Irish have already offered and are recruiting as well. The Bowen brothers lead a back end that has been outstanding this fall, helping Guyer to a 5-0 record and the No. 16 spot in MaxPreps’ national rankings.
Guyer (5-0) battles on McKinney (Texas) Boyd (0-5) at 7 p.m. CT.
Ranked as the nation’s No. 24 overall player and No. 2 safety according to the On3 Consensus, Bowen is a crucial prospect to the Irish in the 2023 cycle. He committed to Notre Dame on New Year’s Day but has taken visits to the likes of Alabama, Oklahoma and Texas A&M since giving pledge. While Bowen has taken other trips, it should be noted that none of them have been for an all-expenses paid official visit.
There’s been much chatter in recent weeks about him looking closely at the latter two schools, but the Irish are hoping to keep him solid with National Signing Day only two and a half months away.
Notre Dame has its bye week, which has meant the Irish coaches have been on the road. The staff went out on Monday and returned to South Bend the following two days for practice. They were back out on the road Thursday and of course Friday as well.
Bowen, who is expected to return to campus for the Clemson game Nov. 5, last visited Notre Dame for his official visit back in June.
“I had a good time; it was a fun weekend,” Bowen told Blue & Gold after the trip. “The bar was set pretty high for them. We had a player panel, and I talked a lot with Coach O’Leary and Coach [Al] Golden. We did this ‘legends walk’ where we walked on the field and looked back on moments [on the jumbotron] of Notre Dame history that’s happened on that field.
“Their emphasis was really just reminding me of why I want to be there and what’s so special about Notre Dame — education-wise, the talent on the coaching staff, where the education can take you, life after football and all that stuff.”
Notre Dame has 22 commitments in its 2023 class, which is currently No. 5 according to the On3 Consensus Team Recruiting Rankings.
Peyton Bowen On3 Scouting Summary
Athletic safety who stars for one of the best high school defenses in the state of Texas. Pairs solid size with some of the better combine athleticism we’ve seen among 2023 safeties. Carries over the twitchy athleticism onto the field. Is a dynamic return man, taking several kicks to the house as a junior. Plays with outstanding range, showing the ability to cover from the hash to the boundary with ease. Has awareness in coverage to recognize route combinations. Shows ball skills in deep coverage in addition to playing sparingly on offense in key spots. Stood out in the state championship game as a junior, making a number of explosive plays with the ball in his hands. Projects as one of the best defensive backs in the state of Texas in the 2023 cycle.
