Tight end Brenton Strange is on the rise.
Last week, Notre Dame was in touch with the three-star West Virginia prospect who had picked up six offers over the previous week after flashing top-end skills at recent camps, particularly as a receiving threat. Among those offers were North Carolina and Wake Forest.
Adding to the intrigue of the 6-foot-5, 210-pound prospect, Strange impressed at an Ohio State camp last Tuesday, leaving Columbus with a Buckeyes offer.
Shortly after, Strange told Irish Illustrated that he’d be visiting Notre Dame on the following Monday.
Of course, he left South Bend with an offer.
Strange’s overall experience at Notre Dame on Monday put the Irish at the “top of the list,” according to the Parkersburg High School star.
“Them telling me what the degree can do for me after football, what the degree does after college or the NFL (impressed me),” Strange said. “What the Notre Dame degree can do for me in life.
“It’s a very good school. Like I said, the degree and their graduation rate (is what impresses the most), and they’re always a winning team.”
Meeting with Notre Dame’s tight ends coach and offensive coordinator Chip Long enlightened Strange to the history of success at the tight end position in South Bend, along with Long’s history of focusing on the tight end position in his offense.
“He seemed like a really good coach,” Strange said. “He showed me some film and how he’s always used the tight ends. He’s always gotten the ball to them.
“They said that they liked that I’m very athletic and that I can move well in space and that I high-point the ball well.”
Strange was first contacted by Bill Rees, which caught his attention as the three-star prospect is specifically looking into earning a quality education. He met both Rees and Matt Balis during his visit on Monday, leaving South Bend impressed with the Irish staff.
Prior to the visit, Irish Illustrated reached out to Parkersburg head coach Mike Byus, who gushed about his star two-way player regarding his strength on and off the field.
“It seems like (interest) is growing every day,” coach Byus told Irish Illustrated recently. “I don’t know why he wouldn’t do well anywhere. He works hard, he’s a great kid. He’s just one of those kids with a great work ethic. He has a 3.5 GPA. There’s no skeletons in his closet. He’s just a wonderful young man. I enjoy working with him every single day.”
In 2017, Strange racked up 59 catches for 938 yards and 11 touchdowns. At the outside linebacker position, he posted 95 tackles, nine tackles for loss, two sacks, two QB hurries, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), two fumble recoveries, and two forced fumbles.
Going forward, Strange doesn’t have additional visit plans lined up, but plans to return for an official visit to Notre Dame which will likely take place this fall.
Aside from the above-mentioned offers – North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Wake Forest – Cincinnati, Maryland, Purdue, and Rutgers represent his additional Power Five Conference offers.
