GOLD STANDARD: Mainland's Zavier Mincey lands St. Patrick's Day offer from Notre Dame

Notre Dame treated some of the top football prospects of the 2024 class to a "pot of gold" for St. Patrick's Day, sprinkling verbal offers across the country — including one to a rising star in Daytona Beach.

Mainland sophomore defensive back Zavier Mincey claimed an offer from the Fighting Irish, Bucs head coach Travis Roland confirmed to the News-Journal on Thursday afternoon.

"It feels great and lets me know that what I'm doing is working," Mincey said. "I was caught off guard, just sitting in my room and playing a (video) game and (defensive backs coach Chris) O'Leary let me know."

Mincey, a 6-foot-3, 190-pound hybrid safety/cornerback, broke up nine passes, intercepted two more and did not allow a touchdown in coverage during the 2021 season. He previously held offers from Coastal Carolina, Iowa State, Louisville and South Florida.

Roland believes Mincey is the total package at the position — explosiveness, speed, patience and confidence.

"You're talking about a guy who can do a 360 windmill on the basketball court playing corner," Roland said. "He is never going to get out-jumped, never going to get out-athleted."

In total, Notre Dame shelled out more than three-dozen offers. Other notable Florida high school athletes on the Irish's list include Dillard cornerback Antione Jackson, Largo linebacker Adarius Hayes, Sarasota Riverview cornerback Charles Lester III, Deerfield Beach edge rusher Joshua Lloyd and three players apiece from Carrollwood Day, Chaminade-Madonna and IMG Academy.

Tennessee has interest in Mincey as well, he said. It could be just a matter of time — perhaps as soon as when spring ball starts on April 25 — before the recruiting floodgates truly open.

"I think it's going to be great. Other schools are going to see Notre Dame — a high-powered, high-academic school — offered me and think I'm that guy," Mincey said.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: College football recruiting: Zavier Mincey of Daytona Beach Mainland earns Notre Dame offer