SerpApi.Org
There can’t be many defensive line recruits in the 2028 class with an offer sheet that looks like four-star Ayden Woodruff’s.
The massive 6-foot-5, 305-pounder from Brentwood (Tenn.) Ravenwood holds offers from 30 Power Four programs, including many of college football’s most prominent ones. Georgia, Ohio State, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Oregon, Miami, Alabama, Michigan and Notre Dame are all in the mix for the No. 13 D-lineman and No. 132 overall player in the class, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking.
With schools of that caliber pushing for the attention of the No. 1 defensive tackle in Tennessee, the competition has become fierce. Yet, the Irish, led by defensive line coach Charlie Partridge, have been one of six programs standing out for their activity since college coaches could begin reaching out to 2028 class recruits last month.
“I’ve been in contact with Coach Partridge every day since June 15th,” Woodruff toldBlue & Goldin a phone interview Monday. “Just talking ball, going over life. He’ll sometimes send me Bible verses and things like that. But yeah, I’ve been in contact with him every day since June 15th.”
The other programs Woodruff said have been similarly active in his recruitment are Vanderbilt, Texas A&M, Michigan, Florida State and Clemson. Still, Notre Dame is different from most of those schools in two ways.
First, the Rivals Industry Ranking No. 7 junior in Tennessee has reportedly visited the other six programs. Also, Notre Dame is the only northern program in that group besides Michigan. That hasn’t kept Woodruff from developing an interest in making the trip to South Bend.
“I haven’t really seen that many schools up north,” he said. “So, just getting to see what it’s like up there. Also, the fact that they’re an independent school. They’re not run by a conference. And Notre Dame has a long history of academic excellence, which is something I highly value. So, I feel like that would definitely be important.”
Notre Dame has made an impression without Woodruff ever visiting South Bend
For a recruit who has yet to make it to South Bend, Woodruff sure does know a lot about Notre Dame. That’s because of the priority Partridge places on building relationships. Other Notre Dame coaches have been involved, too.
According to Woodruff, director of scouting DJ Bryanttraveled to Tennessee to visit him in person. Then, assistant defensive line coach Nick Sebastianwas in touch when Notre Dame offered him May 1. Those continuous interactions and his own research have helped strengthen his knowledge of the Irish.
“One thing I will say is I really love their alumni base,” Woodruff said when describing what else he’s learned about Notre Dame. “Like, there are multiple alumni that own Fortune 500 businesses. And that Notre Dame degree really means something. Like, having that on a piece of paper with your name on it really means something. So, that’s something else that I value a lot.”
He values player development, too. This offseason, Woodruff said he’s been training twice weekly with Tennessee Titans star defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons.
After posting 40 tackles (25 solo), 12 tackles for loss and five sacks in 14 games as a sophomore at Franklin (Tenn.) Battle Ground Academy, Woodruff has big expectations for his junior season at Ravenwood. Partridge is similarly optimistic about his future.
“Specifically, I remember Coach saying he loves how I’m very explosive and twitchy, but I also have a bigger frame,” he said. “Right now, I’m 6-foot-5, 310 (pounds), weighing at 310. So, I’m coming in with a bigger frame, but I’m also still very violent and twitchy and explosive off the ball. So, I know that’s something he told me once.”
The next step in Notre Dame’s recruitment of Woodruff
Following his sophomore season, Woodruff told Rivals director of recruiting Chad Simmonsin December that Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State and Vanderbilt were the five schools standing out. With a batch of new offers since then, Woodruff said his list has expanded to include Notre Dame, Oregon, Texas A&M, Miami and Texas.
Except for Notre Dame, Alabama and Miami, Woodruff has already visited the other programs. So, the next step for Partridge is getting Woodruff up to campus this season. Those talks remain ongoing.
“My head coach and I will be going over that pretty soon,” Woodruff said. “Figuring out which games I want to go to and when. But Notre Dame, I feel like that would be an easier game to go to because we can just drive up there.”
Notre Dame has already made a strong impression on Woodruff without him ever visiting South Bend. The Irish will now be eagerly awaiting the chance to show him what he’s been missing.
