Marist Liufau did not need long to ponder. The consensus three-star linebacker reportedly received a scholarship offer during his visit to Notre Dame over this past weekend, and Wednesday evening he followed that up with a commitment.
Liufau (Punahou High School; Honolulu) will become the third Hawaiian player on the Irish roster, continuing a tradition started in earnest by Manti Te’o in 2008, a commitment coincidentally sparked by Te’o’s visit to Notre Dame during the 2008 Syracuse game. Liufau will join current junior safety Alohi Gilman and sophomore defensive tackle Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa as the current generation of Hawaiian Irish.
100% Committed 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/lYs2CLMJOE
— Marist Liufau (@marist_09) November 15, 2018
Liufau also held offers from five Pac-12 schools, highlighted by Oregon and USC, as well as Group of Five standards in the West in Boise State, Utah State and San Diego State. Instead, he will bring his defensive back experience to Notre Dame, joining a roster rich in current freshmen linebackers but low on proven commodities otherwise, meaning he should have an opportunity to prove himself, even if a number of others are trying to do so, as well.
The 20th commitment in the class, Liufau is the third linebacker, joining consensus four-star Osita Ekwonu (Providence Day; Charlotte, N.C.) and consensus three-star Jack Kiser (Pioneer; Royal Center, Ind.). It is presumed all 20 will ink their National Letters of Intent during the three-day early signing period beginning Dec. 19.
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