Notre Dame Football Recruiting: 5-Star defensive end Brenan Vernon commits to the Irish

Ohio 5-Star defensive end, Brenan Vernon, committed to the 2023 Notre Dame Fighting Irish recruiting class on Tuesday afternoon — just one day after Florida 4-Star defensive end, Keon Keely, gave his pledge.

Vernon, a 6’5” 245 pounder from Mentor, Ohio, chose the Irish over the in-state power Ohio State Buckeyes, as well as the Alabama Crimson Tide, Penn State Nittany Lions, Michigan Wolverines, and others.

Evaluation from 247’s Gabe Brooks:

Tall and long-levered with tons of frame space moving forward. Build and look of a strong-side end but frame potential to suit multiple roles in varying fronts. Plays very active and motor runs hots. Uses length to advantage when disengaging. Leverage consistency is better than expected relative to naturally high center of gravity. Flashes some counter ability as a rusher. Can improve fluidity and expand pass-rush arsenal. Seems like a particularly high-floor prospect among the nation’s elite defenders in the 2023 class.

Again, this is the second commitment in as many days for the 2023 Notre Dame recruiting class. While the addition of Keeley was absolutely incredible — there are few words to describe how huge this Vernon commitment is for Notre Dame. The Irish just went into Ohio and beat out the Buckeyes for a 5-Star DE who was ranked #2 overall in the state. This just doesn’t happen in that state.

The Marcus Freeman effect with special sauce from Mike Elston (both fellow Ohioans) really seems to be doing the trick out on the recruiting trail. They say you need 5-Star elite prospects to win a national championship — so here you go.

FIST PUMPS UP FOR BRENAN!