Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com NOV. 27, 2017 43 PREP PROFILES Notre Dame didn't host a ton of visitors the weekend of the Wake Forest game Nov. 4, but the Irish still welcomed some talented prospects to South Bend. While cornerback Joseph Wilkins Jr. received much of the attention as the lone official visitor, four 2019 Rivals250 prospects made the trip. Among them was Georgetown (Ky.) Scott County offensive tackle Bryan Hudson. It was the second visit to Notre Dame for Hudson after taking in the Stanford game in 2016. "It was great," Hudson told Blue & Gold Illustrated about the visit. "I got a chance to speak with Coach [Harry] Hiestand briefly and the recruiters. I got to see the weight room and in- door field. I also spoke with the track and field throws coach. The atmo- sphere at the game was incredible. "I would rate the visit an eight to nine because of the tradition and at- mosphere. They had everything or- ganized and planned for me, which was nice." The 6-4, 290-pounder enjoyed checking out the Irish program again and getting the chance to talk with Hiestand and watch his unit perform against the Demon Deacons. "He just talked to me about how they played and the things they are doing there," Hudson said of his conversation with Hiestand. "I think he is a great coach and person, and I've heard a lot of really good things about him. "I think they played very physical and dominated, which is how I like to play. I thought they played really well, and I enjoyed watching them. It showed me how physical they are." Hudson, who Rivals ranks as the No. 26 offensive tackle and No. 205 overall player nationally, was im- pressed with the Irish fan base dur- ing the game despite the less than ideal weather. "I would say the game-day atmo- sphere," Hudson said when asked what was his favorite part of the visit. "I think it's crazy how every home game has been sold out since I think 1974. I didn't get to see much of campus because of weather and time. "I really like all the tradition that they have there, not only at the games, but with everything they do." — Corey Bodden Paintsville (Ky.) High sophomore athlete Jaylyn Allen made his first trip up to Notre Dame for the Wake Forest game and couldn't have been more impressed by the Irish. "It was great," Allen told Blue & Gold Illustrated. "I'm glad I got to experience and be part of such a rich culture of football and academ- ics. They really overwhelmed me with their campus. It was absolutely breathtaking. "We were able to check out the whole facility, meet with the staff and get to experience the whole deal of Notre Dame football. Their new locker room was amazing and had the signs you hit, I felt just like a little kid growing up wanting to al- ways hit the signs." Even though the tilt with the Demon Deacons wasn't a top-25 matchup against a bitter rival, Al- len enjoyed the intensity the Irish brought to the field. "I thought the game was amaz- ing," Allen stated. "It was a great chance to get the full effect of the atmosphere of the crowd. I felt they came out against Wake Forest as they always do against teams — never underestimate a team and to come out with the same intensity as their biggest rivals." Allen said he spent about 20 or 30 minutes with the Irish coaching staff during the trip and had a chance to talk with linebackers coach Clark Lea. "I thought he was a really nice guy and believes in what people can do," Allen said. "He was basically just saying to keep working and send my film." Despite it being just his first trip to South Bend, Allen felt a sense of comfort at Notre Dame. "They care for the players, not just academically, but as a person out- side of football and school as well," Allen said. "This made me feel as if I could be really comfortable around them." — Corey Bodden 2019 Rivals250 OT Impressed With Irish Atmosphere 2020 Athlete Blown Away By Recent Notre Dame Visit BRYAN HUDSON ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Scott County H.S. Georgetown, Ky. Class: 2019 Position: Offensive Tackle Status: Interested Ht.: 6-4 • Wt.: 290 Rivals Rankings: No. 26 of- fensive tackle and No. 205 overall player in the nation JAYLYN ALLEN No star rating yet Paintsville H.S. Paintsville, Ky. Status: Interested Class: 2020 Position: Athlete Ht.: 6-1 • Wt.: 220 Rivals Rankings: Not cur- rently ranked "I would rate the visit an eight to nine because of the tradition and atmosphere. They had everything organized and planned for me, which was nice." HUDSON ON HIS VISIT TO NOTRE DAME "I'm glad I got to experience and be part of such a rich culture of football and academics. They really overwhelmed me with their campus. It was absolutely breathtaking." ALLEN ON HIS VISIT TO NOTRE DAME