Four-star receiver Quentin Burrell returns to South Bend. He seeks to understand Notre Dame's plans and solidify his place among his top contenders.
The city of Chicago is loaded with big time talent in the 2027 and 2028 classes, and one of the best is wide receiver Quentin Burrell. Notre Dame is set to host the Chicago, Ill./Mt. Carmel star for a very important visit this weekend. Notre Dame is looking to make a strong impression on Burrell, who the Irish staff is hoping to add to the 2027 class.
Burrell released a Top 10 schools in February, and the list includes Notre Dame, Michigan, Miami (Fla.), Oklahoma, LSU, Indiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Vanderbilt and Arizona State. Since then, the Illinois prep star has been performing well on the 7-on-7 circuit while taking some time in between tournaments, training and team workouts to formulate plans for each of his spring visits.
"I’m enjoying visits and I’m excited to get back to Notre Dame," Burrell told Irish Breakdown. "It will be good to see the coaches and what the team looks like during practice. Spring practice visits are going to help me figure out where I’m at on their boards and what their plans are for me."
It's getting into crunch time for Burrell as he gets closer to being in decision making mode.
"This is the final stretch,” Burrell stated. "I’m visiting all of my top ten schools and then I’m going to narrow it down again for my official visits."
The Fighting Irish will host Burrell and his family on Wednesday (April 1st), and there is already an established relationship with the Notre Dame coaching staff. Wide receiver coach Mike Brown made an impression on the family during the contact period, watching his private workout while conversing with his father Aaron Burrell at WIN Performance, and joining head coach Marcus Freeman and Irish coaches at Mt. Carmel the next day. The schools that showed up in January are the ones that made the most impact with him and his parents, and Notre Dame’s impact sets the tone for the visit.
"I have a good relationship with Coach Brown," Burrell said of the Irish receivers coach. "I saw him twice during the contact period and he spoke to my dad at my workout. We talk over the phone pretty consistent. He’s cool and easy to talk to and appreciate him coming to see me and calling me. I’m looking forward to seeing him work with the receivers during practice and how they’re used."
The 6-2, 195-pound pass catcher has a keen understanding of the type of player he is, collecting 142 receptions for 2,396 yards and 34 touchdowns over his high school career, which stand as all-time program records for the Caravan. As a junior, he racked up 67 receptions for 1,139 yards and 16 touchdowns in dominant fashion as the number one target in a talented wide receiver room that features 2028 Notre Dame target Marshaun Thornton. He’s not afraid of competition and knows that the Irish wide receiver room has become a little more crowded after the talent infusion from the 2026 recruiting class and transfer portal.
When he chose Mt. Carmel heading into his high school, he did so because he envisioned an opportunity for development and state championships. As he embarks on his college decision, he has a similar vision for how he sees himself on the college level.
"I want the opportunity to compete and play early," Burrell explained. "I prefer not to be double-covered. I want to be moved around to find the best matchup and developed to be a threat at all three positions. Move me around and develop me for the next level.
"It’s like when I chose Mt. Carmel," Burrell continued. "I saw the opportunity to become the best player I can be and winning state titles. That’s why I came here. I just had to put my head down and work. Mt. Carmel is the best decision I’ve made so far and I want to do the same for college."
During the practice, he’ll focus on the usage of that increased depth and talent at wide receiver position, but he’s also interested in what the 2027 wide receiver class is going to look like.
"They have a large wide receiver room now," Burrell elaborated. "So, I want to see how they’re going to handle that. I want to understand how they see me fitting into their offense and what their plan is for the 2027 wide receiver class."
The talented pass-catcher has already visited Missouri, Nebraska, and Vanderbilt heading into the visit, and the Fighting Irish may have a secret weapon working on their behalf. Burrell is somewhat of a foodie and he pays attention to the campus cuisine wherever he goes. Fortunately, he remembers great things about his previous spring practice visit to South Bend.
"Yeah, I pay attention,” Burrell said a chuckle. "It feels like they always just want to feed me on the visits. The hospitality is always good and I know Notre Dame will be the same. Last spring, I remember they had a solid breakfast after practice. I’m normally a Chipotle, Chic-fil-A guy, but their breakfast was really good. We’ll see this year."
Burrell is ranked as the nation’s No. 43 overall player and No. 9 wide receiver nationally by ESPN. He graded out as a Top 75 caliber player on the Irish Breakdown board as well.
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