McGlinchey Plans On Returning In 2017
Notre Dame senior left tackle Mike McGlinchey had some unexpected news Wednesday.
The 6-foot-7, 310-pound McGlinchey — regarded by many as a first-round NFL Draft pick in 2017 — said he intends on returning for his fifth year next season.
Despite the high draft projections, McGlinchey said he doesn't base his decisions on that.
"It's going to come down to a mindset and a look in the mirror of whether or not I am ready to go, and based off of what I'm feeling now, I'm pretty confident that I'll be back here for a fifth year," McGlinchey said. "And it's not any major decision or ground-breaking decision. I fully intended to do that when I first got to college. And like I said, I have so much left to learn here, and it's not going to come down to projections or potential money that I can make.
"Because if I'm good enough at the point when I feel ready to do it, I'll do it. And those projections will become reality at some point when it's my time to be ready to do that."
McGlinchey is the No. 24 overall player and No. 2 offensive lineman in ESPN NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay's listing of the top-32 draft-eligible players.
"McGlinchey is long enough to protect the edge against most speed rushers when his footwork is sound," McShay writes, giving McGlinchey an 88 grade. "With that said, he's best suited to initially play on the right side in the NFL. He flashes a nasty disposition and gets under defenders' skin."
Junior left guard Quenton Nelson, who is also eligible for the draft, is rated as the No. 25 overall player. Junior quarterback DeShone Kizer is the No. 23 player by McShay.
McGlinchey, the anchor on the Notre Dame offensive line, was a preseason Outland Trophy Watch List and Lombardi Award Watch List member. He's started 19 games in his Notre Dame career, starting at right tackle in 2015.
He moved to the left side in 2016, taking over for No. 6 overall selection Ronnie Stanley.
"It's going to be a five-year process. I have 19 games left here, and that's what I fully intend to take on. I have a lot left to learn. I'm not ready to go anywhere. I have the best in the business coaching me each and every day, and it's to my benefit to just stay here and learn from him, and there's nothing that I can do to want to change that.
"I have no intention of wanting to change that. I haven't played — I mean I've played a lot of football so far, but I have a lot left to accomplish, and I know I'm not going to put myself in a position to go somewhere when I'm not fully ready to, and I'm fully confident that I will be ready at some point, but I don't think it'll be after this season."