Bowman (Ga.) Elbert County four-star athlete Mecole Hardman might have a top three of Georgia, Tennessee and Miami, but that doesn't mean that his recruitment is close to being over.
Hardman said last weekend at the Rivals Camp Series in Charlotte, that he plans to take all five of his official visits before making a decision sometime around National Signing Day.
One school that's likely to get a visit is Notre Dame.
Hardman explained that he has been in contact with Irish assistant coach Scott Booker ever since the program offered a scholarship back on Feb. 25, and that the communication between the two has been good.
"I talk to Coach Booker every now and then. It's a lot of checking in and this and that, but it's good to have that offer," Hardman said. "Any offer with Notre Dame included in anything - that's just great - knowing what Notre Dame has done in the past.
"The coaches have talked to me about trying to get me [up for a visit] but it's hard to get up there. I do plan on taking an official visit just to kind of see how it is."
Hardman, who is ranked as the No. 6 athlete in the country and the nation's No. 98 overall prospect, represents what has been one of the biggest obstacles for Notre Dame on the recruiting trail the past few cycles. He's an elite talent that can play a variety of positions at the next level, but the location of his high school in Georgia makes him almost a lock to play college football in the south.
Still, Hardman said that while he has offers from almost every school in the area, he's keeping an open mind when it comes to the recruiting process.
"Yeah it's good to have all the SEC schools on you and everything, but it's not that big of a deal. The SEC is probably playing the hardest football right now, but it doesn't matter - ACC, SEC or independent. As long as [I'm] playing football."
Notre Dame coaches are expected to hit the road once spring football practice wraps up on April 18. Hardman said that he is one of the targets that Booker will likely see when he makes the rounds in the Peach State.
The 5-11, 170-pound athlete told Blue & Gold Illustrated back when he was offered, that Notre Dame was recruiting him as an "athlete." He plays both wide receiver and cornerback in high school and is being recruited by most schools on offense.
Notre Dame has signed four prospects out of Georgia since 2010, but missed out on all of its targets this past recruiting cycle.
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