Notre Dame football is set to make a push for an elite QB following a massive recruiting weekend against the Miami Hurricanes
Notre Dame football is riding a ton of recruiting momentum after their weekend against the Miami Hurricanes. There is a new 2029 target to know.
Notre Dame is making an early move for one of the most talented quarterbacks in the 2029 recruiting class.
The Fighting Irish extended an offer to Boerne Champion (Texas) quarterback Ryder Flugence this weekend, following his visit to South Bend for Notre Dame’s matchup against Miami. Flugence announced the offer on social media, adding another major program to an already impressive list of suitors.
The 6-foot-6, 210-pound prospect is considered one of the premier players in the country regardless of position. He has emerged as a national recruiting name over the last several months, with 247Sports ranking him as its No. 1 overall prospect in the 2029 class. Rivals recently moved him to quarterback in its rankings, where he sits at No. 3 nationally and No. 1 at the position.
Notre Dame had been working to establish a relationship with Flugence before his trip to campus, but the offer gives the Irish a legitimate opportunity to become a factor in his recruitment.
A massive quarterback prospect with plenty of athleticism
Flugence is an intriguing evaluation because he combines size, athleticism, and developing ability as a passer.
Originally recruited as an athlete, he has transitioned into playing quarterback full-time at Boerne Champion. That change has helped accelerate his national profile, and college programs are beginning to recognize just how much potential he possesses at the position.
At 6-foot-6 and 210 pounds, Flugence has the kind of frame that immediately stands out for a high school quarterback. He also possesses legitimate mobility, making him dangerous when plays break down or when he decides to take off as a runner.
Flugence has been playing at an extremely high level as a sophomore. In nine games, he has thrown for 1,308 yards and 19 touchdowns, while also rushing for 861 yards and ten more scores on the ground. He also has the frame and athleticism to play wide receiver, tight end, or on defense at the next level.
Those are impressive numbers for a sophomore who is still relatively early in his development as a quarterback.
His production is particularly interesting considering how recently he made the transition to the position. Flugence didn’t begin playing quarterback until seventh grade, and his development has been heavily influenced by his father, Lawrence.
Flugence has shown the ability to make throws from different arm angles, push the football downfield, and create opportunities with his legs. His combination of size and movement skills makes him a difficult quarterback to defend, particularly when he can extend plays outside the pocket.
He has also demonstrated that his athleticism translates beyond football. During his freshman year, Flugence recorded a 48-foot, 4.5-inch triple jump, one of the best marks in the San Antonio area.
A multi-sport athlete with a football family
Football is clearly a major part of the Flugence family.
His father, Lawrence, was an outstanding linebacker at Texas Tech. He earned third-team All-American recognition in 2001 and was a three-time All-Big 12 second-team selection from 2000-02.
Lawrence also recorded 193 tackles during the 2002 season, which On3 reported was a Division I single-season record.
His mother, Shaya, also competed at Texas Tech, participating in the javelin. Ryder’s athletic ability certainly comes from a family with an impressive sporting background.
The younger Flugence has credited his father with playing an important role in his development, particularly through the countless hours spent working on his throwing mechanics.
He also has a brother, Roman Flugence, who is a 2027 linebacker prospect.
Interestingly, Ryder has expressed an interest in engineering as a potential career outside of football. His father has described him as someone who enjoys working with Legos and car engines and approaches things with an analytical mindset.
That attention to detail is something the family believes has helped him develop as a quarterback.
Notre Dame gets involved after an important visit
Notre Dame’s recruitment of Flugence picked up steam heading into the Miami game.
Flugence actually showed the initial interest in Notre Dame, reaching out himself, wanting to visit. The Irish responded by extending an invitation to campus, giving him an opportunity to experience South Bend during one of the biggest recruiting weekends of the Marcus Freeman era.
Before receiving the offer, Flugence discussed what he wanted to see during his visit. One of the biggest things he wanted to evaluate was how Notre Dame operates offensively and the amount of responsibility given to its quarterback.
He specifically mentioned wanting to watch CJ Carr operate the offense and understand how much freedom he has within the system. That is an important detail considering what Flugence is looking for in a college program.
He has previously discussed his interest in playing in a more pro-style offense, and Notre Dame’s offensive structure was something that caught his attention before he ever made the trip to campus. In an interview with On3, Flugence explained that Notre Dame’s approach to quarterback play was appealing because of the opportunity to develop the mental side of the position.
His ultimate goal is to play in the NFL, and he understands that development will be an important part of choosing a school. He also emphasized the importance of relationships with coaches, academics, and finding an offensive system that fits his skill set.
Notre Dame now has an opportunity to sell all of those things following the visit and subsequent offer.
Notre Dame faces significant competition
The Irish are entering a recruitment process that already includes some of the biggest programs in college football.
Before Notre Dame extended its offer, Flugence had accumulated 18 scholarship offers, according to his recruiting profile and recent recruiting coverage.
Among the programs that have pursued him are:
- Alabama
- Georgia
- Texas
- Texas A&M
- Texas Tech
- Oklahoma
- Auburn
- Florida State
- Michigan
- TCU
- Baylor
- Vanderbilt
- Kentucky
- SMU
That list features several programs with strong quarterback development histories, and there are some obvious connections worth monitoring.
Texas Tech is particularly interesting because of his family’s history with the program. His father played there, and the Red Raiders have made an early impression on Flugence. In fact, On3’s recruiting prediction model identified Texas Tech as an early favorite in his recruitment before his Notre Dame visit.
Texas A&M and Texas have also been involved, giving him plenty of opportunities to remain close to home. Notre Dame will have to compete against those established relationships, but receiving an offer after the Miami visit is an encouraging development.
The early stages of a potentially important recruitment
Notre Dame is getting involved with a quarterback who has the physical tools to become one of the biggest names in the 2029 recruiting cycle.
Flugence is still developing at the position, but his sophomore production, size, and athleticism have already separated him from many of his peers. His ability to make plays with his arm and legs gives him an extremely high ceiling.
The Irish also have an opportunity to build a relationship with him early in the process rather than trying to make up ground late in his recruitment. There is still a long way to go before Flugence makes a college decision, and Notre Dame will have plenty of competition. However, the timing of the offer is notable.
The Irish got him to campus for one of the biggest games of the season, allowed him to see the program up close, and followed the visit by extending an offer. For a player who has already established himself as one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2029 class, that’s a significant addition to Notre Dame’s recruiting board.
