Notre Dame started the 2021 class landing four-star quarterback Tyler Buchner‍ and the Irish would love to add Pickerington Central (Ohio) receiver Lorenzo Styles Jr.‍ to pair with him.

The 6-foot-1, 170-pounder is taking things slow this spring as track season kicks into full gear, but he also made sure to get to Notre Dame, Ohio State and Penn State in recent weeks.

“I’m getting a good feel for a lot of schools right now,” Styles told Irish Sports Daily. “I’m really happy I have this opportunity. I’m trying to grasp everything with each program and what each program has to offer. I’m also trying to enjoy the process.”

Pickerington Central is one of Ohio’s top football programs so having some of the nation’s top coaches stop by isn’t anything new. For Styles, it’s an exciting time because those coaches are coming to check on him and that includes Notre Dame.

“Michigan, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Purdue and West Virginia have come through,” stated Styles. “The offensive coordinator Chip Long just came in and then Coach (Del) Alexander told me he was going to stop by in the next few weeks as well.”

Alexander and Styles seemed to connect almost immediately after the four-star prospect received an offer following camp last June. The relationship has only gotten stronger and Long has also made a positive impression on the Styles family.

“Coach Alexander and I talk once a week,” said Styles. “We keep up with how we’re doing and how sports are going, so right now he’s keeping up with my track season. We talk about me getting back up there and how I still have the same love for Notre Dame.

“Coach Long always comes by. I really like him and my dad really likes him.”

The Central Ohio native will continue to take the month of May slow as he’s focused on track, but in June, Styles will make his way to several camps.

“I actually haven’t set any visits,” Styles stated. “I won’t go on many visits in May, but in June, I plan on getting to some camps and work 1-on-1 with some coaches. I’m really excited about that.”

The opportunity to get on campus is great, but the chance to get coached by the coaches recruiting him is an invaluable experience and will go a long way in deciding who lands the explosive receiver.

“That’s probably one of the most important things to me right now,” explained Styles. “I get to do my thing, but see how they critique my game. That goes back to the development part and that’s important to me. I want to hear what they have to say.”

While it’s still early in the recruiting process for Styles, it’s no secret Notre Dame and Ohio State are two schools who stuck out early. Both programs now have commitments from 2021 quarterbacks as Ohio State landed Kyle McCord‍ on April 30th.

“Tyler and I are probably closer,” Styles said of the two quarterbacks. “We usually text on a weekly basis. Kyle and I have been on some visits together and I talk to him. Both quarterbacks are good guys and good friends.”

Buchner and Styles had the chance to meet and workout together at Notre Dame last summer and it’s been a significant building block for their relationship.

“He’s trying to put this class together,” Styles said of Buchner. “He wants me and Blake Fisher‍ to join him. Me, Tyler, Blake and a few other guys in the class have a group chat. We talk about Notre Dame and getting back up there together.

“I think June 2nd or June 9th we are all going to try to get up there. We’ll have a bunch of top guys come up there in one day.”

As for a timeline, Styles isn’t in a hurry to make his decision and will continue to gather information about each program recruiting him.

“I’m still open with everything,” said Styles. “I’d rather have a decision before my senior year, so I can focus on my season and then get on campus. It would definitely come before my senior year.”

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