Notre Dame Commit Logan Saldate Can Make Plays Anywhere

Palma High School head coach Jeff Carnazzo gives insight into Notre Dame wide receiver commit Logan Saldate

Ever since Georgia wide receiver Isiah Canion de-committed from Notre Dame in early July the question was who would the Irish staff land to replace him in the class. We got our when Notre Dame received a commitment from Salinas (Calif.) Palma pass catcher Logan Saldate. On paper, the shifty slot receiver looks like the perfect complement to Cam Williams and Micah Gilbert in the 2024 class.

According to Palma head coach Jeff Carnazzo, Notre Dame didn't just land a slot receiver. He isn't just a complementary player, he is a complete football player.

"If you watch our film, you’ll see him working out of the slot, you will see him outside,” Carnazzo told Irish Breakdown. “You will see him as a No. 1 or No. 3 in three-by-one sets. Logan can really line up anywhere on the field and make plays for you.”

His talent is easy to see but that isn’t what separates Saldate. It’s the attention to detail and attitude he brings to the field.

"He also is an excellent blocker, which is just a testament to his attitude, his demeanor and work ethic,” Carnazzo said. "What amazes me about him is how he never seems satisfied.

"Logan came to us as a football player and wrestler, which shouldn’t be a surprise since his brother actually wrestles at Michigan State right now but Logan knew that track and field would be a big help to his game,” he added. "He did it and has now excelled at it. It has opened up a lot of doors for him.”

Working hard can be a separator. There have been a lot of talented football players who never reached their potential because they weren’t driven enough. Luckily for Notre Dame, Saldate is also very talented. It didn’t take long for Coach Carnazzo to see that.

"The first time I saw him working out, I knew he was different,” he explained. "In my 24 years as a coach here, I have never had a player play varsity as a freshman. He’s an impressive athlete obviously, but it’s the little things that really make him special. Logan is an impeccable route runner. He understands spacing and how to turn it into big plays. He is the best route runner that I have ever seen on the high school level.”

The recruiting attention also started very early, a precursor for things to come.

“We had a big school come in here a few years ago and ask about a few of our players,” Carnazzo said. “I told them to keep an eye on one kid in particular and pointed to Logan. They asked me what grade he was in. They thought he was a junior and I said he was a freshman.

"From then, they knew he was a kid that they would be recruiting in the future after seeing him move around,” he added.

Of course there’s going to be a major question about Saldate’s decision to flip his commitment. He originally made his pledge to Oregon State on Memorial Day, but ultimately Notre Dame was just too much to pass up.

"Recruiting is a brutal process at times,” explained Carnazzo. "Logan has handled it the best he can. It’s a life altering decision and he fully understands that. He is just a great kid, de-committing for Logan was a hard decision.

"He is a man of his word but he found his dream school,” he continued. "I don’t think he would have made the decision if it wasn’t Notre Dame. It’s where he wanted to be.”

As a junior, Saldate was a big play waiting to happen. In 11 games, he hauled in 54 receptions for 713 yards and nine touchdowns. He also carried the football 11 times for 114 yards and another two scores, and also picked off a pass as a cornerback and returned it for a score.

The 5-11, 185-pound pass catcher also held offers from Washington, Oklahoma State, Oregon State, Arizona, Washington State, California and Fresno State.

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Irish Breakdown Content

2023 Scholarship Chart
2023 Football Schedule

Notre Dame 2024 Scholarship Offers

2024 Commit Rankings - Offense
2024 Commit Rankings - Defense

2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Offense
2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Defense

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