Notre Dame's football program is making waves this winter, both in recruiting and with some strategic staff changes. A key intersection of these efforts is seen in their pursuit of linebacker Ty Ashley.
Ashley has long held the Fighting Irish in high regard, even before the arrival of their new linebackers coach, Brian Jean-Mary. Jean-Mary, who recently joined from Ann Arbor, has a reputation for landing top recruits, and his efforts have made a significant impact on Ashley. The young linebacker described receiving an offer from Notre Dame as a "blessing."
Jean-Mary's approach is anything but conventional. While Ashley might not yet be a household name, he's quickly gaining attention from major programs. This offer is a testament to Notre Dame's forward-thinking strategy, recognizing talent before it fully blossoms.
Ashley, hailing from Owensboro, Kentucky, is currently rated as a 3-star prospect according to Rivals. Despite this, he's attracting interest from a slew of schools, including Cincinnati, Virginia Tech, Louisville, Penn State, and West Virginia, to name a few. Notre Dame's recent engagement adds to the momentum.
In a conversation with Irish Sports Daily, Ashley expressed his excitement: "Coach Reader called me last week and then Coach BJ called me Tuesday night and offered me. It was insane.
It’s really a blessing. I’ve seen all the movies, the culture down there, and it’s definitely something I want to learn about.
It’s crazy that God gave me these abilities to play the game at that level."
Ashley is now planning a visit to Notre Dame's campus this spring, which could be pivotal in his recruitment journey. "I’m trying to figure out when I’m going to go up there," he said.
"We’re going to keep in touch until then, but I think once I get up to campus, it’s really going to show me a lot. If I like them a lot, I’ll potentially take an OV there."
Securing Ashley would be a significant win for Notre Dame, adding depth to a 2027 class already poised to be one of the nation's best. As the recruitment heats up, all eyes will be on how this relationship develops.