Notre Dame four-star safety target Marquis Bryant sets commitment date

One of the nation’s top defensive backs in the 2027 cycle and a key Notre Dame football recruiting target is set to come off the board in three weeks.

On Tuesday, Rolesville (N.C.) High four-star safety Marquis Bryant announced on social media that he has set a commitment date. The 5-foot-11, 185-pounder will reveal where he plans to play his college football Dec. 16. Ahead of his announcement, Bryant ranks as the No. 169 overall player, No. 17 safety nationally and No. 8 player in North Carolina in the class, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking.

Bryant’s impending decision comes less than six weeks after he unofficially visited Notre Dame for the second time. He came away impressed by the Irish after watching them beat USC in person Oct. 18.

“I loved it,” Bryant told Blue & Gold about the trip. “I loved the game day experience and how the coaches interact with the players and recruits. They took time out of their day to show me love and make me feel welcome. They have a great plan for me if I’m to go to Notre Dame. It’s speaking a lot to me and my family.”

Back in August, Bryant included the Irish in a top six that also included Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee. However, earlier this month, Bryant told Blue & Gold that Nebraska, Penn State and Texas A&M also have his attention. He reported scholarship offers from 21 other Power Four programs throughout the course of his recruitment.

Notre Dame offered Bryant during the program’s March 17 St. Patrick’s Day-themed Pot of Gold Day recruiting event. About three months later, he made his first trip to South Bend. After that trip, Marcus Freeman’s program made a major move in his recruitment.

“I liked it a lot,” Bryant said. “It really changed my perspective about Notre Dame and how they run things up there. … Coach Freeman is doing great things there with that program.”

Notre Dame’s 2027 recruiting class, which ranks No. 7 nationally, already features one defensive back commit. On Nov. 12, the Irish secured Tustin (Calif.) High four-star safety Khalil Terry’s pledge. However, that did not take the Irish out of the running for Bryant, especially considering his unique skill set.

Notre Dame is recruiting him as a versatile, do-it-all defender. As a sophomore, he tallied 58 tackles, 1 for loss, 10 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles and 1 interception. That earned him second-team honors on the MaxPreps sophomore All-America team.

“Safety, nickel, I can come down and play corner,” he said. “They’re kind of recruiting me for everything. I think that’s why I’m so much higher on their board, because I can do everything.”

In the first nine games of his junior campaign, Bryant notched 6 interceptions to go with 28 tackles, 1 stop for loss, 3 pass breakups and 1 forced fumble. His season ended last Friday with a 40-14 loss to Wilmington (N.C.) Hoggard (12-0) in the third round of the North Carolina Class 8A playoffs.

With all sights set now on his senior season, Bryant wants to put his college football recruitment in the rearview mirror. And he’ll do so Dec. 16.