orona (Calif.) Centennial four-star receiver Javon McKinley took his third official visit, to Notre Dame, and he talked about his trip to South Bend, his next couple visits, timeline for a decision and more...
Corona (Calif.) Centennial receiver Javon McKinley made his way to South Bend over the weekend to take his third official visit, this time taking a trip to Notre Dame.
The four-star had been to Notre Dame in the spring for an unofficial visit and his return visit was an enjoyable one.
"Overall, I had a really good time at Notre Dame," said McKinley. "I liked getting back out there. What I was looking forward to was interaction with the players. I never got that on my previous visits and I did this time."
A former B2G 7v7 teammate was his host on the visit.
"Equanimeous (St. Brown), was my host and we talked with a lot of the other players. Every player at Notre Dame from out of state likes it there," said McKinley. "They say it gets cold but that you can adapt to it and the next thing you know, you won't even notice it."
Notre Dame's quarterback commit, Ian Book, is a California native like McKinley and he also spent time working on McKinley.
"The only one who was really trying to recruit me all weekend (from the commits) was Ian Book," said McKinley. "He definitely tries to get me to come to Notre Dame."
McKinley met with head coach Brian Kelly, receivers coach Mike Denbrock, who's recruiting him, as well as offensive coordinator Mike Sanford.
"Coach Kelly seems like a really cool guy," said McKinley. "If I went to Notre Dame, I wouldn't have a problem being coached up by him."
On his previous trip, McKinley saw much of the school, so the weekend was more about spending time with the players and learning more from the coaches.
"The campus and facilities stood out to me on my first visit so nothing they showed me really was different and they did really well showing me everything the first time I was there," said McKinley.
McKinley was joined by his parents on the visit and they too enjoyed the trip.
"My parents have always been a fan of Notre Dame," said McKinley. "Notre Dame, Washington and UCLA, those are their favorite shcools of mine and going out to Notre Dame, they really enjoyed it."
McKinley previously visited Tennessee and Washington and will visit Oregon next month and UCLA in December.
"I'm going to Oregon on November 7th (when they play Cal) and then I'm going to UCLA in early December," said McKinley. "I'm planning to announce at the Army Bowl."
Oregon has had some recent success at Centennial and that's not gone unnoticed by McKinley.
"I look at Oregon like that because they've had a very good thing with players from Centennial, but they also have a good thing with all their players," said McKinley.
UCLA will get the last visit from McKinley and the local school would love to keep him close to home.
"Coach Yarbs (Eric Yarber) is who's recruiting me and with Josh Rosen and some receivers graduating, that's a possibility for me going there," said McKinley. "I might be going to the game tomorrow night (against Cal)."
Washington had McKinley in for a visit in September and they continue to prioritize him.
"Coach (Brent) Pease and Coach Pete (Chris Petersen) are recruiting me mainly and Coach (Keith) Bhonapha (who recruits the Inland Empire) too," said McKinley.
With McKinley focused on five schools, the three he's visited and the two he's planning to, he's not grown too tired of the process yet.
"There is a pretty good balance," said McKinley. "I've narrowed it down to five schools so there is not the hassle."
Centennial is ranked No. 3 nationally by Scout and plays crosstown rival Corona (Calif.) Santiago this weekend.
On the year, McKinley has 25 receptions for 576 yards and seven touchdowns.
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