With a surname like his, it shouldn’t be a surprise that JP Holtz would be interested in visiting Notre Dame. The 6-foot-4, 235-pound Pittsburgh athlete already has a solid set of offers, but he’s looking to add one from the Irish this week.
Holtz plays running back for his Shaler Area High School squad, but is being looked at as a tight end and/or linebacker by a host of schools. He already holds offers from Boston College, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Maryland, Michigan State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Syracuse and West Virginia.
“I’ve been to a few places,” said Holtz. “I’ve been to Michigan State, Penn State, Pitt, West Virginia, Cincinnati, and Maryland.”
Holtz doesn’t have any favorites at the time. Next up for him is a quick Midwestern swing.
“I’m going to Notre Dame on Thursday and Purdue on Friday,” said Holtz.
Notre Dame paid Holtz a visit during the May evaluation period.
“They came and visited my school,” he said. “They haven’t offered yet, but I’m hoping to earn an offer (Thursday).”
Notre Dame hasn’t told Holtz exactly where they’d see him fitting in yet.
“They mentioned both sides of the ball,” said Holtz, who added that’d be tight end and linebacker.
He said the interest he has in the Irish is “definitely” the reason he’s making a stop in South Bend.
“The history of Notre Dame is about as big as you can get,” he said.
If the Irish want to be seriously involved with Holtz moving forward, they might have to make a move soon.
“I am probably going to cut my list down after this week,” he said. “I’ll probably cut it down to about five schools. I think I might make a decision before the season.”
The visits he will take and has already taken will play a big role in who makes the final five and who Holtz ultimately signs with.
“I’ll have to be able to fit in with the people there,” he said. “I’ll see how it goes on my visits.”
