Vero Beach High School continues to solidify its reputation as a powerhouse for collegiate football talent, with the latest spotlight falling on standout quarterback Champ Monds. In a significant development for the Fighting Indians’ football program, the University of Notre Dame has officially extended a scholarship offer to Monds, marking a major milestone in the young athlete’s recruiting journey.
On Monday, high-ranking members of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish coaching staff arrived in Vero Beach to meet with the prospect personally. Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock and quarterbacks coach Gino Guidugli visited the high school campus to formalize the offer. The move places Notre Dame firmly in the mix for Monds, who is currently ranked as the No. 138 overall player and the No. 11 quarterback nationally by Rivals.
The timing of the offer follows a series of roster adjustments for both the university and the player. Notre Dame recently saw a commitment flip from the 2027 class to the 2026 class, creating a vacancy for a top-tier quarterback recruit in the 2027 cycle. Coincidentally, Monds recently reclassified from the class of 2028 to 2027, aligning perfectly with the university’s recruitment needs.
Vero Beach High School head coach Lenny Jankowski provided insight into the meeting and the growing relationship between the collegiate powerhouse and the local standout.
“It so happened that Notre Dame had their ’27 commit reclassify to the ‘26 class, and then this fell the way it has. Their staff has been on Champ and was excited about him when he was a class of 2028 guy. The meeting was really good. It’s always good to see those guys… Coach Guidugli has been down here multiple times to see Champ.”
The offer from Notre Dame is particularly prestigious given the program’s selective nature. Coach Jankowski emphasized that the Irish do not hand out scholarships lightly, noting that they had done “extensive homework” before making the move. He described Monds as the “total package,” praising his physical strength, arm talent, and athleticism. Perhaps most impressively, Jankowski highlighted Monds’ character, calling him the “very best listener” he has ever been around, regardless of age.
Monds has already built an impressive resume on the field for Vero Beach. Although his 2025 season was shortened by an injury sustained in the opening game, he returned efficiently during the playoffs. Across just four games, he completed 45 of 63 passes for 691 yards, eight touchdowns, and zero interceptions. This followed a stellar freshman campaign where he threw for 2,234 yards and 32 touchdowns.
While Notre Dame has made a strong impression—bolstered by a visit Monds took to their South Bend campus last June—the competition for the Vero Beach quarterback remains fierce. Monds holds an impressive list of suitors, with interest from major programs including:
As the recruitment process heats up, Monds is expected to potentially return to Notre Dame for another visit this spring. For now, the offer stands as a testament to the high caliber of athletics in Indian River County and the bright future ahead for the Fighting Indians’ quarterback.
