Recruiting Notebook: Chris Tyree update, Peter Skoronski commits and more
Chris Tyree’s recruitment continues to be one to monitor.
The 2020 running back recruit remains firm on his top three schools being Notre Dame, Alabama and Oklahoma. His favorite is subject to change over the next couple months, though.
For the Irish to be the last one standing, Tyree must take his June 21-23 ND official visit. Those plans were up in the air just a few weeks ago. Now, it’s looking more likely that Tyree will follow through with the trip.
Irish running backs coach Lance Taylor aims to solidify Tyree’s official visit. Chester (Va.) Thomas Dale High expects Taylor to stop by for a visit with Tyree on Monday. Irish offensive coordinator Chip Long began recruiting Tyree over a year ago. Now Taylor also plays a prominent role in Tyree’s recruitment.
Drew Pyne, ND’s 2020 quarterback commit, has been recruiting Tyree as well. He met Tyree for the first time last Sunday at the Under Armour All-America Camp in Baltimore.
“That guy is an absolute cat,” Pyne said. “He’s fast as lightning. I really, really hope he comes to Notre Dame.”
Pyne’s not alone. Notre Dame covets the 5-foot-9, 171-pounder more than maybe any other 2020 recruit. Tyree holds 30 offers and approaches five-star territory on 247Sports and Rivals. The Irish would also like to add a second, bigger running back with a bruising style.
The Sooners took the lead on Tyree following his April 12-14 official visit in Norman, Okla. However, those close to Tyree encouraged him to not make an emotional decision coming off visits.
Now that the dust has settled, the Irish have a shot at Tyree. Bringing him to campus for his official visit will be the key. Tyree may also take an official visit to Alabama. The Tide’s new running backs coach, Charles Huff, forged a relationship with Tyree when recruiting him as Penn State’s running backs coach.
Tyree formally weighed his options after returning from Baltimore. Thomas Dale head coach Kevin Tucker helped Tyree with the process, providing him a questionnaire of sorts to rank schools.
“It might come out to where it’s too big of a gap between the schools,” Tucker said last month. “Then he might decide to make a commitment. I don’t know.”
He hasn’t committed yet, which is a good sign for the Irish. Though, anything could happen with Tyree.
More tight end interest
Cane Berrong hoped for a Notre Dame scholarship offer. That’s why in December, he was one of the first recruits to sign up for ND’s Irish Invasion camp in June.
The Hartwell (Ga.) Hart County product is now the only 2021 tight end to garner an Irish offer. 247Sports regards Berrong as the No. 1 tight end in the class, ranking him No. 59 overall as a four-star recruit. Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, Michigan and LSU are among other schools to offer Berrong.
“They are very high on my list,” Berrong said. “I love Notre Dame. I can’t wait to see all the history and tradition in person when I get there. I love Notre Dame so much.”
Irish offensive coordinator Chip Long makes Berrong feel like a priority. ND’s 2021 quarterback commit Tyler Buchner also reached out to Berrong. The 6-foot-4, 225-pounder now hopes to reschedule his June 9 trip and join Buchner for a June 2 unofficial visit.
Four-star tight ends Michael Mayer and Kevin Bauman are verbally committed to ND’s 2020 class.
“That was my brother’s favorite team when he was growing up,” Berrong said. “My little brother during little league, his team was Notre Dame. My dad bought him his own gold helmet. That’s how much we love Notre Dame.”
Christ, Skoronski commit
Two of Notre Dame’s 2020 OL targets committed elsewhere this week.
Sterling (Va.) Dominion’s Jimmy Christ verbally pledged to Virginia on Tuesday. Park Ridge (Ill.) Maine South’s Peter Skoronski chose Northwestern, announcing via Twitter on Saturday. The four-star recruit intended to take a June 21-23 official visit at Notre Dame.
247Sports considers Skoronski as its No. 6 offensive guard and No. 173 overall player. Rivals ranks him as its No. 34 offensive tackle. The Irish envisioned Skoronski as an interior offensive lineman.
The Irish won’t mourn over Skoronski as much as Christ. Notre Dame expects to receive official visits from interior OL targets Geirean Hatchett, Zak Zinter, Reece Atteberry and Jonah Monheim. All four consider ND as a top five school.
Offensive tackle is more of a concern for the Irish. Notre Dame feels solid about its chances with Phoenix Pinnacle’s Tosh Baker. However, there aren’t many options beyond him.
Official visit spree
The June 21-23 slot looks like Notre Dame’s biggest recruiting weekend of the year.
The following Irish targets are expected to take June 21-23 ND official visits: running backs Chris Tyree and Cullen Coleman, cornerback Lovie Jenkins, offensive linemen Zak Zinter and Reece Atteberry, defensive end Ben Yurosek, safeties Kristian Story, Chris Thompson Jr. and Jordan Morant and receiver Xavier Watts.
Jenkins will make his verbal commitment public on August 2, he announced via Twitter Saturday. He told the Tribune last month that Notre Dame stands as his No. 1 school.
