Visit seals deal for Notre Dame
SAN ANTONIO - Elijah Shumate arrived for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl feeling content in his college decision.
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Now the world knows the news Shumate has been sitting on all week. Notre Dame landed the four-star safety from Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, N.J., in an announcement during the NBC broadcast. Rutgers and South Carolina were the other finalists.
Shumate assessed the Irish earlier in the week when speaking about his list of choices.
"I thought it was beautiful," Shumate told Rivals.com. "Once I went there [it] felt like home. It was a nice place, a nice atmosphere. The coaches, the players really showed me a lot of love when I was out there. Just everything about it, just the whole picture about Notre Dame is perfect. Great football, great education."
In landing Shumate, Notre Dame adds commitment No. 18 to its current recruiting haul and the sixth defensive back. Nicky Baratti, CJ Prosise and John Turner are on board as safeties. Four-star prospects Tee Shepard and Ronald Darby are cornerbacks.
Notre Dame became seriously involved with Shumate during February of his junior year when defensive coordinator Bob Diaco, who recruits the Northeast, extended a scholarship offer.
Since then the Irish have remained at or near the top of Shumate's lead pack despite him not having visited. Diaco remained in steady contact throughout the process and a mid-December official visit made a large impact.
"(Diaco) is a cool guy," Shumate told IrishIllustrated.com in June. "He seems like a great coach and knows what he expects out of his players."
It all paid off for Diaco as he has landed the No. 128 prospect overall and No. 7 safety nationally.
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