Notre Dame needed a big-time defensive tackle in this class and it got one in Norfolk (Va.) Lake Taylor four-star Darnell Ewell.

The 6-4, 295-pounder, a Top150 recruit from the class of 2017, chose the Fighting Irish over offers from Ohio State, Clemson, Michigan, Alabama and many others.

“It was really exciting. The coaches were really, really excited,” said Ewell, thinking back to when he first told the Irish staff. “Believe it or not, after the visits I went on [to Notre Dame, Michigan and Ohio State], I went to White Castle. We talked it over and thought about it. That’s when I knew I found the best school for me and the one I really, really fit in at. Trust me, I really fit in there. This decision was really good for me. They have the academics and football. It was just a really good opportunity that I couldn’t pass on. So, I took it.”

A key factor for Ewell was his comfort level with defensive line coach Keith Gilmore. While Gilmore was recruiting Ewell and making his pitch, the talented prospect knew that his future position coach was speaking the truth. All he had to do was ask his high school coach to see if Gilmore was being real.

“Coach Gilmore is great,” said Ewell. “He actually coached one of my coaches. Pretty crazy. A little history there. He knows exactly where my area is and I can relate to him, so that’s a blessing.”

Notre Dame is a school Ewell has had interest in for quite some time. The combination of athletics and academics made this the perfect fit for him.

“I feel that, for one, I could really, really achieve a lot there,” said Ewell. “Specifically, at Notre Dame, academically, I would be set for the rest of my life. All I would need to do is push hard for the next for years. The history and tradition there is really powerful.”

While on his summer unofficial visit, Ewell was able to spend a great deal of time with head coach Brian Kelly. That time helped him realize that Kelly was the coach he wanted to play for.

“Coach Kelly s a really, really great coach,” said Ewell. “I can’t say nothing negative about him. He speaks volumes. He really, really puts things into a different perspective for me and I really appreciate that. I mean, every coach did, but I really have to say, with coach Kelly, it was just unique how he said things when we had our own conversation.”

Ewell is commit No. 16 for Notre Dame this cycle. He is the third pledge for the Fighting Irish in July following previous commitments from four-star offensive lineman Robert Hainsey and four-star running back CJ Holmes.

Per the 247Sports Composite rankings, Ewell is the No. 144 overall player in the nation, No. 9 defensive tackle in the country and No. 4 prospect in Virginia from the class of 2017.