Dickerson makes 17
Click Here to view this video.
Matt Dickerson simply needed to see no more.
Advertisement
Rather than wait things out and investigate other opportunities the three-star defensive end from San Mateo, Calif., offered a verbal commitment to Notre Dame on Saturday during an unofficial visit. Head coach Brian Kelly accepted.
"After long consideration and visiting all my top schools (Notre Dame) felt right and has everything I'm looking for," Dickerson said in a text message to Irish Illustrated. "Academics, athletics and faith."
Dickerson chose the Irish over scholarship offers from Arizona, Arkansas, Cal, Colorado, Colorado State, Nebraska, Nevada, Oregon, San Diego State, San Jose State, UCLA, USC, Utah, Washington and Washington State.
Before visiting South Bend, UCLA had also been considered a frontrunner.
Notre Dame now has 17 commitments in the Class of 2014, seven of which are on defense. Dickerson joins four-star prospect Jay Hayes, Texas product Grant Blankenship and New Jersey's Andrew Trumbetti as pledges on the defensive line.
Dickerson received a scholarship offer a couple months ago after the Irish coaching staff paid spring evaluation period visits to Junipero Serra High School.
"I got really emotional," Dickerson told Irish Illustrated after the offer. "My head coach was with me, right beside me. I was just real emotional. It's humbling they think I can play at that level with them."
Rivals.com ranks the 6-foot-5, 265-pound prospect as the No. 17 strong side defensive end nationally and the No. 31 prospect overall in California.
