Adetokunbo Ogundeji, DE, 6-5, 220, Walled Lake Central High School, Walled Lake, MI attended the Notre Dame Lineman’s Challenge in the hopes of earning a scholarship offer. He accomplished his mission. Less than a week later, Irish Defensive Line Coach Keith Gilmore extended an offer to the three-star defensive end.
“Coach Gilmore told me this morning,” Ogundeji shared. “We’ve been talking since I went to their camp on Saturday. We’ve been talking ever since and he told me about the offer.”
Despite the near constant communication with Gilmore, Ogundeji was still caught off guard by the offer.
“I was surprised,” he said. “I was shocked but I was definitely happy and definitely enjoyed it. I was speechless.”
In addition to Notre Dame, the Michigan standout holds scholarship offers from Power Five conference schools Oregon, Cal and Rutgers. Miami of Ohio and Western Michigan have also thrown their hats into the ring. He claims no favorites.
“All of the schools are the same at this point,” he said. “All of them have been really nice. I feel like everybody’s in the same range. I’ve just got to see all of the schools.”
Though Ogundeji participated in the Lineman Challenge, he really didn’t get the full tour of the campus. While he knows something of Notre Dame’s reputation, he hopes to learn more about the school, the campus and the people.
“I do know it’s a highly academic place,” he said. “It’s a big-time school. I do understand what’s at stake when you go to Notre Dame. I think I’m going to go back this weekend. When I did go to Notre Dame on Saturday, I did get a little tour of the place. It was nice but I didn’t get the full effect, so when I go this weekend, I’ll go see the whole campus.”
Ogundeji wishes to check out other schools but isn’t sure he’ll be able to accomplish that before his senior season begins.
“I feel like this Notre Dame one might be my last visit before I go into the season, but I might visit some other schools too,” he shared.
He also isn’t sure about when he’ll be making a final decision but does have a very clear idea of what he will be looking for in his final destination.
“I’ll definitely be looking at academics and where I’m going to spend the next four years of my life; am I going to be supported; am I going to be with someone who is going to care,” he mused. “And what is going to happen afterward if I don’t go pro? Can I get a job and can I do something for a living?”
