Johnathan Lloyd doesn’t know a bunch about Notre Dame at this point, but the Irish are doing everything they can to educate the 2014 North Carolina athlete on their program.
“I haven’t visited the campus, so they’re telling me about the campus, trying to get me to see the campus,” the 6-foot, 175-pounder from Southern Alamance High School in Graham, N.C., said.
“They send me pictures of the school and other athletes. They’re just trying to build a relationship.”
Lloyd - who has double-digit offers from programs like Notre Dame, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Duke, Clemson, Florida, Ohio State, South Carolina and West Virginia among others - has taken notice of Notre Dame’s pitches.
“I’m learning more,” he said. “I know more of their personnel. Before that, I really only knew about their football tradition.”
Lloyd plays quarterback for Southern Alamance, but most schools – including Notre Dame – are recruiting him as a receiver.
“Duke, State, Clemson and Indiana are recruiting me as a quarterback,” said Lloyd.
He played receiver as a freshman and many of his earliest offers came off that tape, but others have seen his athleticism at quarterback and believe it will translate to receiver at the next level.
“It would be a transition, but I think I could learn on the fly and I’m pretty athletic, so I could make it work,” he said.
It won’t be a dealbreaker, but Lloyd would definitely like a shot at quarterback.
“I’d like to get an opportunity at quarterback, but I’m not going to cut out a school just because of position,” he said. “I just have to make sure all of the variables are equally accounted for before I make my decision.”
Lloyd has a list of other factors that will play more prominent roles in his decision.
“Personnel, the coaching staff, how I get along with the players, how I fit into the system and what I’ll do academically,” he said. “All of those will play a role.”
Notre Dame assistant Mike Elston has made multiple stops by Southern Alamance to check on Lloyd.
“They came to some of my football practices and a basketball game,” said Lloyd. “They’re sending mail, so they’re maintaining contact.”
Lloyd expects to make a trip to South Bend at some point.
“Oh yes, most definitely,” he said. “Hopefully this summer.”
He made stops at some of the local schools like North Carolina, NC State and Wake Forest last fall and is looking to hit the road again.
“I liked them,” he said. “It’s exciting. They were always good games and it’s really about building a relationship.
“I don’t have any dates set or know where I’m going to go, but I’m almost 100 percent positive I’ll be going somewhere.”
He doesn’t have any favorites and isn’t in a rush to make a decision. For now, he’s honored by the opportunities he’s been offered.
“It’s a blessing and it’s exciting at the same time,” he said. “I’ve just got to continue to work hard and see what happens.”
