Richard Yeargin III seems to be getting very close to adding an offer from Notre Dame and if the Irish do offer the 2014 Florida linebacker, they’ll likely be a major player in his recruitment until the end.
Yeargin III spoke with Notre Dame assistant coach Tony Alford on Friday night.
“Basically what is going on is he wants me to send out my game film and we’ll go ahead and get this thing settled,” the 6-foot-4, 208-pounder said. “Until then, he said they’re really interested and we’ll stay in touch on Facebook and keep building the relationship.
“I feel as though he’s a good coach and I feel as though Notre Dame would be somewhere in my top 10, top five. It’s very prestigious and it’s a very highly-recommended university. Getting an offer from them would be pretty good.”
Yeargin III already holds offers from schools like Clemson, Florida, Georgia Tech, UCLA, Boston College, South Florida, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Wisconsin and West Virginia among several others. Even without an offer from Notre Dame just yet, Yeargin III has a great appreciation for the school.
“Just the academics and the actual fact that they’re one of the only institutions that is based on religion,” he said. “It has everything you’re looking for; religion, education and football. That’s something that really puts them over the top along with their location and the fact they’re a private school, the setting. It’s not even about football. It’s just the opportunity you get going to the University of Notre Dame.”
Yeargin III is hoping to make his first trip to South Bend in the coming months.
“I want to go up there for the summer,” he said. “You want to do a lot of things, but sometimes you have to wait because of finances and things of that nature. If I’m not able to fit them in for a summer visit, then they’ll definitely have a spot for an official. That says a lot right there.”
Clemson, Florida, UCLA and Georgia Tech are handful of other schools that are sticking out at this point.
“I’m starting to really separate who I really want,” he said. “It changes day by day, but as the days go by, I’m just taking it all in. Nothing is set in stone, but as of right now, that’s what I know.
“They offer life after football. UCLA is out in California, out in the city. Beverly Hills would offer a lot of opportunities after football if it does not pan out for you. Georgia Tech is surrounded by the Coca Cola factory, all of that good stuff in Georgia. Clemson is a great school. I can definitely go there, take over, be three years and done. Florida is right here in my home state. It’s a great school, it’s very well known around these parts. If football doesn’t work out, they still offer great academics. Either way, I’ll be set for life.”
Yeargin III transferred from Chaminade-Madonna in Hollywood to University High School in Fort Lauderdale recently. He says he still loves the Chaminade-Madonna program and school, but is looking forward to getting started with University, especially with a difficult schedule that’ll include a pair of games on ESPN.
“That’ll put me in the national spotlight ahead of guys in my class,” said Yeargin III. “I can get that exposure and hopefully I can go on to become one of the top players in the nation.”
Yeargin III will also be teaming up on defense with Quincy Wilson, a safety who is one of Notre Dame’s top prospects in the 2014 class.
“Me and Quincy have had a relationship since the start of high school,” said Yeargin III. “We’ve always been competing against each other.”
Yeargin III isn’t in a rush to make a decision.
“I’m taking my time,” he said. “I’m just going to enjoy the process. I may know early and not say anything or I may not know. But more than likely, my decision will be made on signing day.”
