How impressive 2025 WR Colin Charles received extra attention from Notre Dame’s coaches

Colin Charles camped at Notre Dame on a whim. And as it turned out, the 2025 wide receiver would not have been able to leave … even if he wanted.

“It was kind of just a hit or miss thing,” Charles told Blue & Gold. “My dad asked me if I wanted to go to Notre Dame for a camp. I was like, ‘Sure.’ Because I have nothing to lose, really.”

Good thing he went because the top quarterback in attendance might’ve not had someone to throw to afterward. 

While most of the about 150 high school football prospects participating in Notre Dame’s Evaluation III Camp left after the final whistle, Northville (Mich.) High’s Charles stayed behind at Chansi Stuckey’s request.

The second-year Fighting Irish wide receivers coach, Stuckey, wanted Charles to catch passes from 2025 three-star quarterback Kelden Ryan afterward. Quarterbacks coach Gino Guidugli wanted to evaluate Ryan operate a two-minute drill. They hand-picked Charles to be his receiver.

“It was really just like an in-the-moment thing,” Charles said. “I was heading over to get some water, and then we would go back into the indoor facility. Then, right as I was leaving, Coach Stuckey told me to stay out and run routes. 

“And I was just like, ‘All right, wherever you need me, I’m there, coach.’ I just tried my best, and I did the best I could do.”

The 6-foot, 180-pound Charles entered Notre Dame’s Evaluation Camp III with zero scholarship offers. Although the Irish — and other programs — still have yet to offer him, he was the best pass catcher during yesterday’s session.

Charles was a nuisance for opposing defensive backs by beating them with both his speed and physicality. He caught most of the passes that went his way, including a one-handed grab, which was the camp’s highlight. 

After 170 minutes — including a 20-minute private session with Ryan afterward — Charles gave the Irish everything he had.

“I think it went really well, honestly,” he said. “I think that I proved to myself and hopefully other people that I can go toe-to-toe with anyone in the country. And I feel like I’ve come a long way from last year and where I was around this time, last spring and summer. 

“So I’m overall really proud of myself.”

Charles does not yet hold an On3 or On3 Industry Ranking rating or NIL Valuation annual value. 

Charles recaps his time at Notre Dame for the Evaluation Camp III

Before Stuckey chose Charles to put in extra work after the camp, he gave the high school rising junior pass catcher plenty of attention during it. It ended up being a valuable experience for the talented recruit.

“I’d say it was a pretty good amount of communication,” Charles said. “I learned a lot from Coach Stuckey. He was really teaching me all the right tools that I’ll be able to take back to my high school in the fall and hopefully implement into my game.”

There was one message that Stuckey gave him that stood out above all else.

“Really just working on my hands, honestly,” Charles said. “Just like making sure I see the ball through every catch and tuck. Just really working on that portion of my game because I feel like that’s one of my major soft spots right now. 

“But I feel like I’m getting better at it. And I’m gonna take the stuff Coach Stuckey taught me and hopefully use that to get even better than I was.”

Afterward, Charles hung out with the coaching staff in the facility. He spent a good portion of it with Butler Benton. The first-year assistant athletic director for football player personnel grew up near Charles. So, that helped them immediately form a connection.

“We’re both from Detroit and know how hard it is to try to get to play at the next level,” Charles said. “So we really hit it off. I think it’s gonna be like the beginning of a really good relationship between us.”

In addition to Notre Dame, Charles also camped at Michigan and Michigan State. He said Navy, Toledo and Western Michigan have inquired about him through his head coach at Northville High School, Brent Luplow. 

Charles’ sophomore film is limited, which has prevented college programs from discovering him. But following Thursday’s camp, he is on Notre Dame’s radar. And he trusts it will stay that way with a strong junior campaign.

“After I do that,” Charles said, “everything will start falling into place.” 

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