Irish Illustrated and 247Sports have the latest.

We have learned that running backs coach and run game coordinator Lance Taylor, as well as newly-minted offensive coordinator Tommy Rees will be at Matthews (N.C.) Weddington high school to check-in on class of 2021 five-star running back Will Shipley.

As has been noted many times in the past, there isn’t a bigger priority on the offensive side of the ball for the staff than the 5-11, 200-pounder, who has expressed an equal amount of interest in Notre Dame as well. This might be the fourth time Taylor and Shipley have seen each other since the start of December. Clearly this relationship is a strong one.

"It was great," said Shipley regarding his phone conversation with Taylor just one week ago. "Just to be able to talk to him and just continue to better our relationship from what it already was, every single time I get to talk to him, I like him more as a person and also as a coach.

"We got to talk about some dates that they would like me to make it up to Notre Dame," continued Shipley of a potential official visit to South Bend. "We are going to see what dates we can for spring ball in March. But if we can't make it in March, then we will most likely take an official visit in April or June. It just depends on whenever we are free with their two official dates.”

Don’t be surprised if those dates get finalized by the end of the day on Friday. Shipley is expected back in March or April on an unofficial visit and then likely again for an official visit.

Shipley, the Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of North Carolina and a State Champion, is one of the top overall players next cycle. It won’t be an easy pull, especially with so many of the nation’s top programs pushing for him including Clemson, Stanford, Alabama, Ohio State and many others, but the Fighting Irish look to be in great shape as of today.

Additionally, Notre Dame actually leads on the 247Sports Crystal Ball. Both myself and Irish Illustrated's Kevin Sinclair see Shipley landing with the Fighting Irish.

As a junior, Shipley carried the ball 188 times rushing for 2,066 yards and 30 touchdowns. He also had 34 catches for 582 yards and eight more scores.

Shipley is an elite talent and ranked as such. The 247Sports Composite Rankings list him as the No. 21 overall player in the country, No. 1 all-purpose back nationally and No. 2 recruit in North Carolina from the 2021 class. 247Sports ranks him slightly lower as the No. 44 overall player in America, No. 1 recruit at his position and No. 2 talent in his home state.