Notre Dame introduced this week that time guard and main scorer Markus Burton would endure surgical procedure for a left ankle harm, and that there isn’t a timetable for his return. With convention play on the horizon, the Preventing Irish need to the gridiron for depth.

Notre Dame coach Micah Shrewsberry introduced Thursday that the workforce is including freshman Mark Zackery IV to the roster. Zackery simply wrapped up his first collegiate soccer season taking part in cornerback for Notre Dame, and recorded 10 tackles and two passes defensed in 11 video games performed. Whereas he selected soccer, Zackery stood out on the highschool basketball circuit as a former Indiana Class 4A state champion and Indiana All-Star. 

“I believe that Mark will likely be an excellent addition to our program,” Shrewsberry mentioned in an announcement. “I’ve seen him play many occasions all through his highschool profession. Whether or not competing with Group Teague, Indiana Elite, or Ben Davis Excessive College, he at all times does issues that assist result in profitable. He will likely be an asset for us together with his ball dealing with, playmaking, and defensive skills. Extra importantly, he is a superb younger man that may add extra worth to our locker room and tradition.” 

In response to Notre Dame’s official web site, Zackery gained the state championship with Ben Davis Excessive College as a sophomore, and made it again to the title recreation as a junior throughout a season during which he averaged 11.0 factors, 2.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.4 steals per contest. He additionally performed AAU ball with teammates Logan Imes and Braeden Shrewsberry. As a soccer recruit, Zackery was named Indiana Mr. Soccer in 2024, and ranked as a four-star prospect by 247Sports.

The 8-3 Preventing Irish are coming off a 80-65 win over Idaho on Wednesday. Their subsequent recreation is in opposition to Evansville on Saturday.