Kaden Gebhardt had no resentment when he left Notre Dame’s Irish Invasion camp last summer without an offer.
“Honestly, I don’t think I performed my best there,” Gebhardt admits. “It was actually the first camp I had ever attended.”
He acknowledges that he didn’t earn the offer at the time, believing he could have done much better. However, the experience motivated him to work even harder afterward.
That drive paid off, as the Olentangy High School defender later secured offers from major programs like Ohio State and Penn State after stronger showings at subsequent camps.
Still, Notre Dame didn’t overlook him. Last week, Irish linebackers coach Max Bullough increased his communication with Gebhardt and, on Monday, officially extended a scholarship offer.
“It’s an incredible feeling,” Gebhardt said of receiving the offer. “Notre Dame has always had a historically great defense.”
Offered as a linebacker, he enjoys watching the Irish linebackers play, mentioning Drayk Bowen and Jack Kiser as players he followed on TV last season. He’s also excited about the opportunity to play under defensive coordinator Chris Ash.
Gebhardt has received offers from schools like Clemson, Wisconsin, Colorado, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Duke, Stanford, USC, and UCLA, among others. However, Notre Dame is the only program recruiting him as a linebacker—all other schools see him as a safety.
He doesn’t have a preference.
“To be honest, I’ll play wherever the team needs me,” he says. “I think my physicality allows me to fit anywhere in the defense, whether as a linebacker or safety.”
Notre Dame’s staff was impressed by his game tape.
“I don’t think my film misrepresents me,” Gebhardt says. “Anyone who watches it can see I play fast and physically.”
He plans to visit South Bend again in March.
“I want to meet Coach Marcus Freeman because I haven’t yet, and also Coach Ash,” he says. “I want to connect with more of the staff and build relationships. Communication with Notre Dame only really picked up this past week.”
Gebhardt already has a positive impression of Bullough.
“I like him a lot,” he says. “He’s a great guy, and I’m excited to strengthen our relationship.”
In addition to Notre Dame, he has upcoming visits scheduled for Ohio State, Clemson, and Penn State, with a potential trip to Tennessee as well.
As for his final college decision, Gebhardt remains undecided.
“I really don’t know yet,” he says. “Whenever I find the school that feels like home, I’ll make my choice.”
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