Four-star safety Malcolm Ziglar in depth on Notre Dame official visit, what’s next in recruitment
Fuquay Varina (N.C.) High class of 2024 safety Malcolm Ziglar picked up an offer from Notre Dame May 16 and quickly set up an official visit with the Fighting Irish coaching staff. He was in South Bend for the weekend of June 17.
It was Ziglar’s first time on campus, and it did not disappoint.
“Going in, I knew the football and academics were really good, and I heard that it’s different there — a place you need to experience,” Ziglar told Blue & Gold. “And I had a great time there and enjoyed everything. It’s a lot different than a lot of other schools.”
What makes Notre Dame different than other schools he’s been to?
“How good the football and academics are. the people and the connections there,” he answered. “When we were there, we got to talk to one of the co-founders of Keurig (Christopher Stevens). Not a lot of places have people like that come back and speak to just a handful of recruits. It says a lot about the program.”
Notre Dame safeties coach Chris O’Leary stopped by Ziglar’s high school last month, which led to the four-star defensive back picking up an offer from the Irish. But due to NCAA rules, the Irish coaches are not able to talk very much at all with prospects during the spring evaluation period.
Last weekend was really the first time Ziglar got to spend time with the Irish staff.
“It was great,” he said. “I got to see Coach O’Leary at my practice, but like you said, we can’t really talk to (coaches) then. I talked to him on the phone and FaceTime, so going into the visit, I knew him pretty well, but I wanted to get a feel for everyone in person and see how they are around each other.
“I noticed how they have a true bond and connection with each other. They all work as one, and they’re here to better you as a football player and make sure you get a good education. They help you with networking outside of football. If they sign 25 people, five of them might go to the NFL. The rest will get a great education and get a great job after football is over.”
On June 2, Ziglar, who ranks as the No. 252 overall player and No. 20 safety according to the 2024 On3 Industry Ranking, announced a top-eight schools list of Clemson, South Carolina, Notre Dame, Kentucky, Penn State, North Carolina, Appalachian State and East Carolina.
But in following his official visits, it appears at South Carolina, North Carolina and Notre Dame have the leg up on other programs. He already took his official to South Carolina and heads to North Carolina this weekend.
“It’s hard to have good football with good academics and then have great people to surround yourself with,” said Ziglar regarding what makes Notre Dame a top choice for him. “That says a lot about the program, and those are things that aren’t going to change for a while.”
On Wednesday afternoon, Notre Dame added its second safety commit of the class, as Taebron Bennie-Powell joined Kennedy Urlacher on the list for O’Leary and Co. And on Saturday, Notre Dame looks in prime position to land Tae Johnson from the Hoosier State. That could put the Irish at three safety commits.
“With me being versatile — I can play both corner and safety,” Ziglar noted. “It opens things up because I can play both. That’s how a lot of schools are.”
A decision is around the corner for Ziglar.
“I plan on committing sometime in July,” he said. “I’ll take my visit, and it’ll be my last official visit for the year.”
On3’s own rankings list Ziglar as the No. 79 player and No. 5 safety in America.
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