John Montelus met Notre Dame offensive line coach Harry Hiestand when he visited South Bend for the Irish’s spring game in April.
Montelus was clearly impressed and the 6-foot-5, 295-pound offensive lineman from Everett, Mass., (Everett High School) offered his commitment to the Irish before leaving.
Montelus and Hiestand have continued to build that bond ever since.
“I called him the other day and we had a good conversation,” Montelus said of his future position coach. “It was just good how he told me about how the ND family cares about us and all that good stuff.
“He's a good guy and a good coach. He just surprises me every day.”
Montelus will have the chance to strengthen the bond with a future teammate at the Top Gun Camp in Virginia this week.
“I'm actually going to be with Steve Elmer on Wednesday,” Montelus said. “I'm going to that Top Gun Camp. I just want to have fun down there.”
Montelus has kept in touch with his future offensive linemates since committing.
“I met Steve at the spring game,” Montelus said. “I text him sometimes and it's going to be great to hang out with him again. On Twitter, I talk to Hunter (Bivin) and the rest of the offense linemen.”
The Irish’s 2013 offensive line haul, which includes Montelus, Elmer, Bivin, Mike McGlinchey and Colin McGovern, is a tight group within a tight class.
“It's a great bond, we’re going to be a great line and I'm looking forward to playing with them,” Montelus said.
But for now, Montelus is focused on trying to help Everett to its third straight Super Bowl title.
“Right now, I'm just running and lifting weights,” he said. “Our first game is September 7th. We’re going to have our summer camp in August. I'm definitely looking forward to it. We should be good and we’re probably going to win another championship. We’re trying to get a three-peat going.”
Montelus caused a minor stir on Twitter a few weeks ago, when he tweeted that he landed an offer from LSU, but he says there’s nothing to worry about and the offer from the Tigers means nothing.
“I'm still going to be committed to ND, so it doesn't really matter.”
