Fort Wayne (Ind.) Snider three-star wide receiver Mac Hippenhammer tells Irish247 that Notre Dame has extended an offer.
The 6-1, 170-pounder from the class of 2017 adds the Irish to an offer list that includes Penn State, the school he is currently committed to, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan State, Wake Forest and others.
"It's a blessing," said Hippenhammer. "Being a wideout from Indiana, where no one really respects you, to get an offer from the biggest stage, it's a blessing."
Hippenhammer has been committed to Penn State since Aug. 13, but it looks like the Irish have at least entered the mix for the in-state talent.
The local talent is contemplating two official visits before completely shutting down his recruitment. He will be at Penn State on Jan. 20 and then potentially be at Notre Dame on Jan. 27. However, the Notre Dame trip isn't 100-percent locked in yet.
That said, Hippenhammer will visit Notre Dame on Monday for an unofficial visit and get a chance to talk with the coaching staff in person.
To be clear, Hippenhammer remains committed to the Nittany Lions, but admits that he just wants to check out both options before National Signing Day in February. Per a source close to Hippenhammer, Notre Dame is intriguing, but so is Penn State. His relationship with wide receivers coach Josh Gattis is second to none and the Lions assistant coach has put in a ton of effort in keeping him on board throughout his recruitment.
Hippenhammer is in no way a lock to flip to the Fighting Irish. That will depend on Notre Dame picking up its recruiting efforts of him and beating out a Penn State staff that has made him a top priority for months. This will be a recruitment to pay close attention to.
