Elite cornerback Aaron Scott Jr. shares where Notre Dame stands in his recruitment

Reporters swarmed Aaron Scott Jr. after his Under Armour Next Camp workout in Obetz, Ohio. And unlike the footballs that came the 5-foot-11 ½, 165-pound cornerback’s direction Sunday, he didn’t swat questions down.

The attention resembled the fringe five-star prospect’s recruitment. Scott reports 25 Power Five scholarship offers. The On3 Industry Ranking evaluates him as the No. 38 overall player, No. 4 cornerback and No. 1 prospect in Ohio. He has a 95.42 rating.

In On3’s own rankings, Scott has a 97 rating and is the No. 13 player, No. 2 cornerback and No. 1 prospect in the Buckeye State.

Last month, Scott narrowed his recruitment to a top 12 that featured Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, Michigan, Penn State, Southern California, Tennessee, Pittsburgh, Florida State, Louisville, Kentucky and Oklahoma. 

Still, Scott’s phone blows up daily, with college coaches from around the country contacting him. 

“It can be rough,” Scott said. “But you just have to buy in because they’re buying in too.” 

The Irish are still in the Scott sweepstakes, but their chances are dwindling. The Springfield (Ohio) High junior plays high school football about 50 miles from Ohio State. And Michigan and Oregon also have his attention. 

But Notre Dame isn’t backing down. Irish cornerbacks coach Mike Mickens stopped by his high school on May 2. Mickens, who is from Southwest Ohio, was also there multiple times during the winter. Scott also said he talks to at least someone from Notre Dame daily.

“They showing all the effort,” he said. “They’re telling me everything I need to hear. … Just talking about how academics could get you far in life outside of football. You could be set for life after football and during football.” 

Undoubtedly, the Irish have prioritized him, and Scott knows it.

“They tell me always that I’m a priority,” he said. “They’re just not talking to me to talk to me. They want me to come and are ready when I am.” 

Scott has an annual On3 NIL valuation of about $165,000. That ranks No. 66 among high football players. 

Scott details his Notre Dame interest

Scott visited Notre Dame on April 1, marking his second trip to campus. He previously made it to South Bend on July 26 for the Irish 2024 class cookout. That visit was more of an introduction to Notre Dame, whereas the most recent one went more in-depth.

During last month’s visit, one thing stood out the most to Scott.

“I would definitely say the academic aspect,” he said. “They’re very high on academics. Getting to see the coaches with their players — I know they have some dogs at corner. Seeing them do what they’re doing, I feel like I could go there and do the same thing.”

Scott’s mother attended the visit with him and was impressed by Notre Dame’s educational offerings.

“(Academics) play a big role,” he said. “My mother preaches that — you have to have a backup plan if (football) doesn’t work out. And going to Notre Dame, you could be set going there. So that definitely plays a big role.”  

For much of Scott’s time in South Bend, Irish cornerback commit Karson Hobbs from Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller accompanied him. The two share a strong relationship.

“That’s my dog,” Scott said. “We talk, if not every day, every other day. But we check up on each other. We don’t really talk about Notre Dame. We talk about whatever. But that’s my dog.” 

He said having another cornerback in the class he’s comfortable playing alongside will factor into his decision.

Scott getting close to a decision 

Scott told Blue & Gold he’s hoping to commit in July. Or, at the very least, before his senior season. Before he makes one, he hopes to get his recruitment down to five schools. Right now, he has seven to eight teams in mind. 

And for the Irish to make it in that final group, he’s searching for one thing.

“Just getting that feeling,” Scott said. “They’re doing everything right. It’s just about me getting that feeling knowing if it’s real or not.” 

The post Elite cornerback Aaron Scott Jr. shares where Notre Dame stands in his recruitment appeared first on On3.