Future Notre Dame star Ace Alston visualizes making plays on the field and building an elite class with fellow commits.
Notre Dame had a number of very talented prospects on campus this weekend, and that included several Fighting Irish commits, which included Cincinnati, Ohio/Anderson cornerback Ace Alston.
The Class of 2027 cornerback had a couple of moments where he shocked himself. Glancing out onto the field during spring practice, he noticed all the players and couldn’t help but remember that he will be one of them in just one year.
"When I went out to practice, just seeing the boys fly around, seeing the wide receivers move, me just visualizing myself in that position next year, me just visualizing making plays on the practice field was the shocking moment," Alston told Irish Breakdown. "As soon as I get up there, I’ll be able to compete with them boys."
What caught the Buckeye state defensive back’s attention the most was Notre Dame’s new football facility, currently under construction but set to be completed in June.
"By the time I get up there it’ll be done and I’ll be walking in," Alston said. "Actually by the time I take my [official visit] it should be done. I can’t wait to see it live in-person. That’s what impressed me."
With so many top players in attendance, Alston was able to connect with fellow secondary commits Khalil Terry (Tustin, Calif./Tustin) and Xavier Hasan (Raleigh, N.C./Cardinal Gibbons). He also developed a relationship with Chicago, Ill./ Brother Rice High School edge Kameron McGee – a consensus four-star prospect and top prize from the Land of Lincoln.
"He actually plays on my 7v7 team," Alston said of the five-star 2028 edge. "I already know he’s a dog. I was telling him, 'You need to go ahead and commit, there’s no better place than this.' Shoutout to him because he has to make that big decision. I think he liked the visit as well, we had a great time.
"We all felt like a great relationship,” continued Alston. "I knew a couple of them when I went up there and some of them, we kicked it off real well. We all got a great bond and we are going to strive to continue being an elite class.”
Alston was also able to connect with new co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach Aaron Henry for the second time. Alston deeply respects Henry – saying he was “catching on real fast” with what Henry is teaching to his unit – and believes the veteran secondary coach will make him a better player.
"Just like his intensity, his vibes, that he comes with,” noted the Anderson cornerback. "His knowledge eats well. Just to see how he is around the players. I feel like the players respond well to him and I feel like he’s an overall just great guy but when it comes to the football side of it, he’s very knowledgeable and he knows what he is talking about. Overall, as a person, he’s a great person."
Every recruit we’ve chatted with so far has been impressed by head coach Marcus Freeman and his presentation of the program over the weekend, and Alston is no exception. Like Alston, Freeman hails from Southwest Ohio as a Huber Heights, Ohio/Wayne High School graduate.
"It’s always great to see Coach Freeman," Alston stated. "It’s not all about ball with him; he’s going to talk life with us. That’s what I love about him.
"Number one thing is how he is as a person,” added Alston. "No one wants to play for a coach that’s just there for themselves. He’s a very family-oriented person and I feel like he’s all for the players and that’s the main reason I wanted to commit to Notre Dame. Obviously, it’s a great education and great football. They have the best of both worlds. Coach Freeman, him just showing black excellence, the family-oriented person he is, made my decision a lot easier."
It's a decision that Alston continues to be quite comfortable with.
Alston is ranked as a Top 100 caliber prospect on the Irish Breakdown board. He's also ranked as a Top 100 recruit by both On (No. 72) and 247Sports (No. 96).
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