2019 Providence Day (N.C.) linebacker Ositadinma Ekwonu‍ has committed to Notre Dame and is the third commitment in three days for the Irish.

The 6-foot-2, 225-pounder took three trips to Notre Dame but it was the relationship he had built defensive coordinator Clark Lea for over a year that made the difference.

Lea invited to the four-star prospect to Irish Invasion a year ago, and the two got a chance to get a feel for each other prior to Ekwonu blowing up on the recruiting circuit in January.

“I can see myself playing and getting coached by Coach Lea,” stated Ekwonu. “He’s a great coach, very easy to work with and teaches in a way that is easy to understand.”

Ekwonu's official visit in April gave him a chance to truly see what life was like as a Notre Dame player. Notre Dame commits Jacob Lacey‍ and Hunter Spears‍ also made a positive impact on Ekwonu that weekend.

"The visit went beyond my expectations," explained Ekwonu. "It was my third time up, but really my first opportunity to see firsthand what life was like at Notre Dame on and off the field."

The experience at Irish Invasion led Ekwonu to return with his family to see the Irish take down USC 49-14 last October and the impact of game day was also something that stuck with the Charlotte native.

“It was great to see how hype and energetic everything was,” recalled Ekwonu. “The energy of the whole stadium was just amazing.

“I liked how disciplined they were,” he said. “The very first defensive play was a forced fumble and recovery.”

Ekwonu was also looking for a place he could succeed off the field. Notre Dame’s academic prestige was something that stuck out to the Providence Day star.

“Football gets you into a great school that will help you throughout the rest of your life. There always needs to be a backup plan if football doesn’t work out.

"The academic presentation really put things into perspective for me. It showed exactly how prestigious of a university Notre Dame is while maintaining an intense level of football performance."

As a junior, Ekwonu racked up 101 tackles and three sacks, but he also rushed for 500 yards and 13 touchdowns.

He joins 2019 Pioneer (Ind.) linebacker Jack Kiser‍ in Notre Dame's linebacker haul.

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