Notre Dame football lands crown jewel on defense in 2024
Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa committed to Notre Dame football on Sunday and he’s the crown jewel defender the Irish have needed.
It was hard for Notre Dame football fans to complain about the 2024 recruiting class being put together by the Irish. But it will be even harder after Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame football landed elite defender Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa.
Viliamu-Asa plays for one of the top high school programs in California and is ranked 102nd overall according to the 247 Sports composite rankings for the 2024 class.
The 6-foot-2, 230-pound linebacker is ranked eighth among his position peers and with both USC and Ohio State making a strong push, it’s hard to overstate the significance for Notre Dame football. Here’s more on the commitment from Steve Wiltfong of 247 Sports:
"“Ranked by 247Sports as the nation’s No. 9 linebacker and No. 87 prospect overall, Viliamu-Asa racked up 111 tackles as a junior in helping St. John Bosco finish with MaxPreps’s No. 1 high school football ranking. He had 8.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, a forced fumble, an interception and two fumble recoveries. He is physically ready to play college football right now, shows great range, instincts and tackle ability on field.”"
A big commitment for the Fighting Irish
The pledge has Notre Dame football back in the top 10 (ranked ninth via 247 Sports team rankings) in the 2024 class. It’s the third top-200 defensive commitment for the Irish but the other two were outside the top 170, while Viliamu-Asa is ranked just outside the top 100.
Viliamu-Asa is a consensus four-star recruit and should quell any chatter about Notre Dame football not being able to land elite defensive recruits under Marcus Freeman.
The linebacker could have a chance to play early with the Irish and in an interview with Hayes Fawcett of On3.com, he said the decision came down to the end but he got a nudge in the right direction from the lord, which will be music to the ears of Notre Dame football fans.
One of the best quotes I’ve received from a recruit concerning his decision:
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) July 23, 2023
“Honestly man I couldn’t see myself there (Notre Dame), but I could at the other two schools.”
“I felt God wanted me to have faith, which required trusting in what I could not see.”
ND wins out in a… pic.twitter.com/FxdqnhOY9P
"“Honestly, I couldn’t see myself there (at Notre Dame) but I could the other two schools. I felt God wanted me to have faith and that required trusting what I could not see.”"
Notre Dame has been known for having some great linebackers over the years and Viliamu-Asa could very well turn out to be the next.
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