Carrico becomes first Irish commitment
When new Notre Dame defensive line coach Mike Elston presented Brad Carrico with a scholarship offer in January the 6-foot-6, 255-pound defensive end from Dublin, Ohio couldn't have been happier. He even called it a dream offer.
Just over two months later Carrico turned that offer into a verbal commitment on Saturday at the Irish's junior day.
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"Coach (Brian) Kelly was very excited," Carrico said. "He jumped up, gave me a hug and told me he was glad I booked a room at the hotel."
Carrico, Notre Dame's first commitment in the recruiting class of 2011, chose the Irish over offers from Cincinnati, Illinois, Purdue and West Virginia, among others.
"There were many reasons (why I chose Notre Dame)," Carrico said. "But the main reason was really because of the coaching staff. I feel very comfortable around them."
A visit to South Bend in January only intensified Carrico's feelings for Notre Dame. Committing to the Irish was a dream come true.
"It feels great knowing I accomplished one of my dreams," he said. "It was such an honor to be offered by them and now that I have committed I'm looking forward to bringing back all the tradition and winning national championships."
Carrico attends Dublin Coffman High School, the same school that produced former Irish players Brady Quinn and Chinedum Ndukwe.