Rees' Experience At Notre Dame Offers Unique Perspective In Recruiting

There’s a question that every recruit has to ask himself before committing to a school.

“What am I getting myself into?”

Its’s a fair question for someone who is about to make one of the biggest decsions of their lives. A player wants to know what they’re going to experience at a school and wants to have an idea of what the next four years of their lives are going to be like.

Coaches can give that answer to an extent, but current or former players are really the go-to source.

Enter Tom Rees.

Notre Dame’ new quarterbacks coach (who is officially a graduate assistant for now) has experienced firsthand the highs, lows and everything in between of playing for Notre Dame.

Rees said having that experience will work to Notre Dame’s advantage in the recruiting department.

“I was in their position and I had to make the decision of where I was going to go to school and I chose this place,” Rees said. “I think sitting down with them and having that experience firsthand is invaluable.”

Rees added that having teammates from all different backgrounds has helped get a different perspective on life at Notre Dame as well.

I’ve had a number of teammates from all different walks of life make that decision, and I’ve seen how that decision has come to fruition and how they’ve benefited from it,” Rees stated. “So I can relate pretty much anyone’s back story to someone that was a teammate here.”

The former Irish QB said he’s already had conversations with prospects and their families about his time in South Bend, and he could tell that pitch will be a difference maker.

“There aren’t many people around the country who can sell a school on firsthand experience,” Rees said. “I think that’s unique and special. I’ve already talked to parents and talked to recruits, and it’s something that they’re eager to listen to. It means a lot to them when you say “I’ve played for coach Kelly and I’ve played for this place, so I can tell you exactly what it feels like.”

I can tell them ‘hey, I went through that.’ I balanced school and football,” Rees added. I graduated from the business school. I was the starting quarterback here, so I know what its like when you lose, and I know what it’s like when you win.”

Rees said that when it comes down to it, the Notre Dame brand speaks for itself, but at the same time, being able to tell a prospect almost exactly what they can expect is a nice touch.

“I think recruiting this place is easy because this place is special and it takes care of itself,” Rees said. “But having that firsthand experience is something I think will pay dividends. I think when it comes to sitting down with a parent or a prospective student athlete, there isn’t anything they’re going to go through here that I haven’t been through firsthand or seen with my eye own two eyes.”

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