Austin Burgett (Avon, Ind./Avon) is all too familiar with Notre Dame.
Not only is the 6-foot-9, 210 pound forward from the class-of-2012 just three hours south of the Irish campus, but Burgett has also taken a pair of visits to check out the program for himself. The sophomore was there when Notre Dame opened its 2009 football season against Nevada, taking in the 35-0 victory.
Later, Burgett returned in October for the Notre Dame-USC game and checked out the basketball program more closely.
Next fall, the Irish stand to get another look from the sophomore.
“Last year, I went up for two football games, the USC game and I think the Nevada game,” he said. “I like their football stadium and the coach is pretty cool. I haven't been to a basketball game yet but I think I'm probably going to go to one this year.”
Burgett is one of several prospects that the Irish are recruiting out of the Indianapolis area, along with Gary Harris (Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern) and Kevin “Yogi” Ferrell (Indianapolis, Ind./Park Tudor). Ferrell and Burgett both have Notre Dame offers and have faced off against each other in AAU battles in the past.
In total, Burgett holds nine offers including ones from Butler, Cincinnati, Iowa, Northwestern, Ohio and Xavier.
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan State, Ohio State, Purdue and Michigan are also showing heavy interest in Burgett’s services.
Back in the summer months, Notre Dame assistant Anthony Solomon saw several of Burgett’s performances in tournaments and eventually extended the forward an offer. Throughout the fall, Solomon has kept in touch with Burgett and is still recruiting the sophomore.
“Coach Solomon is the one that I've mainly been around,” Burgett said. “He's really cool and isn't that tough on you. He seems nice and pretty cool. I've only talked to Coach [Mike] Brey like twice or three times. He seemed more rigid, but still pretty cool.”
All of Burgett’s offers are geographically located in the Midwest. Although Butler remains the closest to Burgett’s home in Avon, Notre Dame isn’t too far away either.
In any case, distance will not be an element for Burgett to make his decision.
“I don't think that will factor into the college that I choose,” he said.
Either way, Burgett knows what he is looking for in potential colleges.
“I want a good school with academics, nice facilities, good team, good players and coaches — that I actually like the coaches,” Burgett said.
With the recent success of Luke Harangody, who engraved his name in Notre Dame’s record books, Burgett is aware of the development that the program can have for players of his position. However, the sophomore doesn’t consider his style of play to be similar to Harangody’s. In any case, it’s just another thing for Burgett to consider when assessing Notre Dame.
“I really don't play like him,” Burgett said. “He's more of a big guy down low, but I see his success and how good he's been. We'll just have to see what happens.”
As more and more programs become interested in Burgett’s services, the sophomore does not list any favorites. For the time being, Burgett will hold off and wait until next season to make a pledge.
“I’m looking to decide sometime during my junior season. I don’t really have a list of favorites,” he said. “Everyone is still equal.”
