The wide receiver, who's committed to Notre Dame and set to enroll at the end of the week, read an ESPN report that had Irish head coach Brian Kelly interviewing for the same position with the Philadelphia Eagles.
That was the beginning of an active night for Onwualu's phone. He reached out to a couple Irish coaches and fellow commits to find out the truth.
As of late Wednesday night, he didn't have many answers. He and his fellow commits used a private Facebook group to talk about the breaking news.
"I haven't heard from everybody yet, but the communication is there," Onwualu said. "There's still not much out in the public. I've talked to a couple of coaches and some people have talked to a couple coaches, but really not many people know what the truth is and what's really going on."
While information was in short supply, Onwualu said the news wouldn't affect his plans to enroll early after graduating from Cretin-Derham Hall in St. Paul, Minn., back in November.
"I plan on being there in 72 hours and I'm sticking to that," Onwualu said. "I'll be on campus and we'll see what happens."
Onwualu is one of six recruits slated to relocate to Notre Dame this weekend for the spring semester.
Linebacker Alex Anzalone, offensive lineman Steve Elmer, tight end Mike Heuerman, wide receiver Corey Robinson, and quarterback Malik Zaire are also scheduled to arrive on campus as soon as Friday or Saturday.
The timing of Kelly's possible move couldn't be worse for recruits who are days away from tying their futures to a school. Most of those early enrollees remained quiet on social media, with one recruit declining to comment on the news during a phone call.
Other members of the nation's top-ranked class according to Rivals.com and ESPN voiced their strong commitment to the program regardless of whether Kelly leaves the Irish.
But Kelly's absence would almost certainly create other holes in the coaching staff and leave recruits with a tougher decision before February's national signing day.
Below are reactions from four Notre Dame recruits and one Irish recruiting target:
-- Devin Butler, cornerback commit, @DevinButler_7:
"I committed to a program and school.. Not a coach #GoIrish." "But I doubt he leaves"
-- Jaylon Smith, linebacker commit, @JaeeSmiff9ENT:
"Hope Kelly doesn't leave." "If Kelly leaves!!!!!,,,,, I'm still a domer S/O to my ND fans"
-- Eddie Vanderdoes, uncommitted defensive lineman, @EddieVanderdoes:
"I doubt Kelly leaves..it's just like the recruiting process gotta cover all your bases. #Business"
-- Doug Randolph, linebacker commit, @DougRandolph7:
"I committed to notre dame for the total experience. Not just coach Kelly. I hope he stays but there is way more to ND. #bleedblueandgold"
-- Jacob Matuska, defensive end commit, @moosey2taasty:
"ND is more than just about one coach it's the tradition and community that's why I committed I hope coach stays but ill still be #irishmob13"
Staff writer Tyler James:
tjames1@sbtinfo.com
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