Notre Dame coaches on the road: Mike Brown checks in on two huge receiver targets

Spring recruiting is in full swing, and Notre Dame is making its presence felt on the trail. As head coach Marcus Freeman continues to build a roster capable of winning on college football’s biggest stages, his staff is focused on securing elite playmakers — especially at wide receiver. That’s where position coach Mike Brown comes in. The newly hired wide receivers coach has hit the ground running in South Bend, and this week, he made personal visits to two of Notre Dame’s top remaining targets in the 2025 class. His stops weren’t just routine check-ins. They were strategic moves aimed at showing high-priority recruits that Notre Dame isn’t just interested — it’s all in.

Brown, who joined the Irish staff this offseason after a productive stint at Wisconsin and previously at Cincinnati under Luke Fickell, brings energy, NFL experience, and a reputation for relationship-building. Since arriving in South Bend, he’s focused on reshaping how Notre Dame recruits and develops receivers. And his spring travel schedule reflects that mission. By visiting two of the most coveted receivers still on the board — each with the size, speed, and skill to contribute early — Brown made a statement that Notre Dame is committed to closing the talent gap at the perimeter.

The first visit took him to see Dallas Wilson, the five-star wideout from Tampa (Fla.) Bay High School. A one-time Oregon commit who reopened his recruitment earlier this year, Wilson is a 6-foot-3, 190-pound physical specimen with elite ball skills and body control. He’s widely viewed as one of the most college-ready receivers in the 2025 class. What separates Wilson isn’t just his size and catch radius, though — it’s his technical polish. His route-running is advanced, his footwork clean, and his ability to create separation in short areas makes him a nightmare for defensive backs. Programs like Florida State, Georgia, and Tennessee have all made Wilson a priority, but Notre Dame remains firmly in the mix.

Mike Brown’s visit wasn’t just symbolic. It was a calculated effort to build trust and continuity in Wilson’s recruitment. Notre Dame has been recruiting Wilson for over a year, and while former WR coach Chansi Stuckey laid the groundwork, it’s now Brown’s job to close. That means getting in front of Wilson in person, reinforcing how he’d be used in the Irish offense, and presenting a clear path to development and the NFL. With quarterback CJ Carr already committed and building a strong bond with potential future targets, the pitch to Wilson is simple: come be the No. 1 option in a pro-style offense with a top-tier QB and a rising program.

Brown emphasized that vision during his stop in Tampa, where he spoke with Wilson’s coaches, checked in on his spring workouts, and reiterated that the Irish view him as a program-changing talent. The visit was well-received, according to sources familiar with Wilson’s recruitment, and Notre Dame is expected to get Wilson back on campus this summer. If they can secure an official visit, the Irish could be in prime position to make a late push against the in-state schools and SEC powers vying for his signature.

Next on Brown’s travel itinerary was Houston (Texas) North Shore wideout Kaliq Lockett, another top-100 national prospect and one of the most explosive pass-catchers in the South. Lockett is a different type of receiver than Wilson — leaner at 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, but with track speed and vertical playmaking ability that makes him a home-run threat on every snap. He’s the kind of weapon who can stretch the field and force safeties to play deep, creating room for other offensive weapons to thrive underneath. Lockett has also shown improvement in his route precision and hands, making him a dangerous all-around threat.

Lockett, like Wilson, is being courted by Texas, Texas A&M, and LSU, among others. But Notre Dame has made significant progress since Brown’s hire. One of Brown’s top priorities since arriving was to re-establish communication with Lockett’s camp and make sure the receiver knew he was still a take — and a top one. Brown’s visit to Houston sent a powerful message that the Irish view Lockett as a critical piece of their offensive future. During his stop, Brown met with North Shore’s coaching staff and watched Lockett during spring drills. He also reiterated Notre Dame’s pitch, which revolves around early playing time, academic and athletic balance, and a strong locker room culture.

While Notre Dame may not be the hometown choice or the flashy SEC brand, its message is resonating with Lockett’s inner circle. Sources indicate that he’s intrigued by the Irish’s academic appeal, their offensive direction under new coordinator Mike Denbrock, and the chance to stand out on a national stage. Brown’s ability to make a personal connection is already paying dividends, and Notre Dame is pushing hard to get Lockett on campus again this summer for an official visit — something that could dramatically shift the momentum in this race.

The broader importance of these visits can’t be overstated. For years, Notre Dame has struggled to consistently land top-100 wide receiver talent, often finishing as a finalist but not closing the deal. The program has developed quality receivers, but it’s lacked the elite depth at the position needed to truly compete with the likes of Alabama, Georgia, and Ohio State. Brown’s mission is to change that. These visits aren’t just about one or two players — they’re about resetting expectations at wide receiver and proving that Notre Dame is serious about surrounding its quarterbacks with dynamic talent.

Brown is uniquely equipped to lead that charge. A former NFL receiver who played for the Jaguars and Colts, he understands what it takes to succeed at the next level. His approach blends technical coaching with real-world credibility, something that appeals to today’s recruits. He also knows how to evaluate and target players who fit Notre Dame’s academic and character standards while still chasing elite athletic profiles. His ability to connect with families and high school coaches is already showing up in how quickly relationships are being re-established and strengthened.

These spring visits are just the beginning. As the contact period continues and the summer visit season ramps up, Brown and the rest of the Notre Dame staff will be laser-focused on locking in official visits and creating momentum that carries into the fall. The Irish don’t need to land every five-star wideout to elevate the position room — but securing a commitment from one of Wilson or Lockett would go a long way toward legitimizing their efforts. Both are national-level players with multiple suitors, but Notre Dame is firmly in the mix, and Brown’s persistence is a big reason why.

In the bigger picture, Notre Dame’s pursuit of elite receivers is part of a broader push to modernize its offense. With Denbrock back in the fold and CJ Carr leading the future QB room, the staff is committed to opening things up and playing with tempo, spacing, and vertical aggression. That kind of offense requires not just good receivers — but great ones. Wilson and Lockett fit that mold. They’re the type of players who can tilt the field, convert third-and-longs, and demand double coverage. And with players like Tobias Merriweather and Jordan Faison already flashing, the Irish are building a receiver room that could become one of the program’s strengths over the next two years.

Recruiting at this level is relentless, and competition is fierce. But Notre Dame is leaning into the challenge. With Marcus Freeman leading the charge and coaches like Mike Brown executing on the road, the Irish are in a strong position to reshape their roster and add the kind of explosive talent that can make a difference in the College Football Playoff. The spring evaluation period is a grind, but it’s also where winning programs separate themselves. And this week, Notre Dame made it clear that it’s not just showing up — it’s swinging big.

Whether they ultimately land Dallas Wilson or Kaliq Lockett remains to be seen, but the effort and strategy are there. Mike Brown is doing what elite recruiters do: showing up, building trust, and selling a vision. For Notre Dame, that vision includes top-tier quarterback play, dynamic receiver talent, and a high-powered offense that can go toe-to-toe with the nation’s best. If this week’s visits are any indication, that future might be closer than most realize.