Behind the Scenes: Jack Nickel to Notre Dame
Notre Dame uses the tight ends in their offense, so they attract talent at that position nationwide.
All schools love to recruit the state of Georgia, and the Irish have a tight end in the 2021 class, Cane Berrong, committed. Now, the school with such rich tradition in South Bend has a tight end from the Peach State committed in the 2022 class.
Milton High tight end Jack Nickel has over 20 offers, and he had his eye on a number of programs, but in recent weeks the Irish made a move and pulled away to land his commitment.
Nickel tells the story behind his decision.
THE BEGINNING: "My dad played at Stanford, so he always talked about Notre Dame, their history and the program they have had since I was little. He actually wanted to go to Notre Dame first, so he has always thought highly of them. So I have known about Notre Dame since I was little.
"They started recruiting me since my sophomore year. They invited me up for a game early, they started showing interest a year ago and we have really been communicating since then.
"I looked at them hard last year, I learned more about their offense, I saw how they use the tight ends and they have been high on my list since that time. It is a great school with a lot of tradition, the education is very good and it is a school I liked as soon as they started recruiting me."
THE TURN: "They showed interest for a while, then a Zoom meeting happened in May, and that is when they offered. A week or two later, after talking with coach McNulty, and seeing how our relationship grew and just getting more comfortable with the school is when Notre Dame became my favorite.
"I was leaning more towards Wisconsin, Iowa and a few other schools, but around two weeks after the offer, I would say that is when Notre Dame kind of took over at the top.
"After the offer, the communication was great and I learned a lot about their history. Notre Dame could make a claim for Tight End U. Since 2000, 13 tight ends have been drafted into the NFL and every tight end that has started since 2005 has been drafted, so that makes them stand out to any tight end. That is big for me.
"Over time in June and into July, the lead for Notre Dame just grew in my mind."
THE FINALE: "After a visit up to South Bend to see the campus and a few more Zoom calls, it became clear to me that Notre Dame was the place for me to be.
"The combination of the history at Notre Dame, the academics they offer and how they use players at my position are the main reasons I chose Notre Dame.
"There is no school that is a top 25 program in football that is a top 20 program academically like Notre Dame. It just fits me.
"Driving through the campus, it was beautiful, I had that home feeling and it was perfect for me. Going into my visit earlier this month, I had Notre Dame on top, but driving back home, I knew I was going to commit.
"There is just no other school like it. Wisconsin, Penn State, Iowa and so many others are great schools, but Notre Dame is a special place and the place I want to be."