Marcus Freeman is hoping to land a haymaker on Wisconsin long before the season-opener

Notre Dame is coming out of nowhere to try to steal a player who is high on the Badgers. Marcus Freeman is hoping to hand Luke Fickell a loss on the recruiting trail long before the two teams face off in the season-opener. 4-star (Rivals) cornerback recruit Evan Via is essentially down to three schools: Missouri, Stanford, and Wisconsin. He has visits set up to all three schools, but now Notre Dame has tried to jump in, and that truly may change things.

According to recruiting expert Mike Singer, Via loved getting a Notre Dame offer even this late in the game: "I actually train with Jeremiyah Love in St. Louis." Singer goes on to say that the Irish are now a "top contender" for Via.

4-star CB Evan Via has picked up a Notre Dame offer ahead of his Wisconsin visit

Related: Luke Fickell has a new top recruit for 2027 recruiting class with latest 4-star DB

Wisconsin was in the driver's seat for Via in a lot of ways. Via had taken visits to Missouri and Stanford, and his final visit was set to be in Madison. This was when Luke Fickell was preparing to close the deal on Via. However, now that Notre Dame is in the mix, this may change, and Via has room to set up another visit if he wishes. It may also delay the timing for Via's commitment.

Wisconsin will still look to close the deal, especially as the need for a cornerback remains a priority in this class. The Badgers have mostly added safeties and could use a few more true corners in 2027. Via is a player who can really rise the depth chart for the Badgers, while he may be buried a bit with Notre Dame.

Notre Dame has a top-5 recruiting class and yet only 18 recruits. Freeman is looking to fill out his class, and he's extended a few offers lately to players who weren't originally on their interest list. This could be the spin that Wisconsin defensive backs coach Robert Steeples needs to seal the deal. Wisconsin has prioritized Via for a lot longer. That does mean something to recruits.

Via is one of the top defensive players in Missouri, listed as the No. 4 cornerback in his state and No. 7 of any recruit. Via doesn't seem to have a favorite; many thought that the hometown Tigers would pull him off. Others felt like Wisconsin was the team to beat. With Notre Dame in the mix, is this Marcus Freeman's way of handing Luke Fickell a loss well before they face off to start the season? He better not. Fickell has to find a way to get Via to be a Badger.

Read also: Wisconsin, Luke Fickell suffer rough 4-star setback with top target off to Kansas St

Stay tuned to what happens with Via. He, as of this writing, hasn't set up a visit with Notre Dame, has only dropped this quote and his excitement for the offer. There's hope that Wisconsin still pulls it off this weekend.

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