Notre Dame DL target Bryan Bresee proved he belonged at The Opening Finals

A top 15 list might draw eye rolls from some college football fans and reporters. 

But when the No. 1 recruit in the 2020 class releases a top 15, it draws eye balls. 

Defensive lineman Bryan Bresee, ranked as the top recruit in 2020 by 247Sports, released his top 15 on June 28. Notre Dame made the list alongside Maryland, Alabama, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Penn State, Virginia Tech, LSU, Florida, Georgia, USC, Wisconsin, Clemson and Texas A&M. 

Then the 6-foot-5, 290-pound Bresee had the chance to reinforce his recruiting ranking against some of the top 2019 offensive lineman at The Opening Finals in Frisco, Texas. He more than held his own. 

Bresee already has the strength to match guys like 6-7, 360-pound Evan Neal. He even overpowered 6-4, 332-pound EJ Ndoma-Ogar on one rep. Both Neal and Ndoma-Ogar are ranked as top 100 recruits by 247Sports. 

Bresee said he wasn't nervous about squaring up with offensive linemen a year ahead of him. He's taken on plenty of older opponents in the past. 

"There's some good talent out here," Bresee said, "so it's different going from regionals to come out here and go against the top linemen in the nation for the class of '19. It was a lot of fun though." 

247Sports slates Bresee as a strongside defensive end prospect, and Bresee said most college coaches are recruiting him at the position as well. But because he's already so big heading into his junior season at Damascus (Md.) High, he could end up growing into a defensive tackle. 

Bresee will be a coveted player regardless of his position on the line. Notre Dame defensive line coach Mike Elston has made Bresee a priority too. 

After receiving an offer from Notre Dame in December, Bresee visited the Irish in April. 

"When we went down and visited, it was a really good trip. My parents came down with me. We got to see the campus, talk to the coaches. We had a good time down there." 

Bresee said he's relied on his parents and coaches to help him with the recruiting process as so many programs have been pursuing him early in his high school career. He has plenty of time left to make a commitment decision, but he's already started to consider what's most important to him. 

"My connection with the coaches," Bresee said. "If I have a strong relationship, then it will probably be where I end up."