Even though the recruitment of the 2014 class is just getting underway, Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly has already started to target some of the top prospects in the 2015 class and running back Jacques Patrick (Orlando, Fla./Timber Creek) is already in the Irish's crosshairs.
The 6-foot-1, 213-pound rusher finished the 2012 season with 2,100 yards on the ground and 31 touchdowns. He also helped his team advanced deep in the playoffs all while learning how to be a leader.
“We finished 10-2 this year and had a lot of senior leadership on the team,” said Patrick. “Next year, were probably going to have only six or seven guys returning, so I'm probably going to have to take more of a leadership role. I look forward to helping the younger players get use to playing varsity and I plan on leading any way I can to help my team.”
After having such a dominating year on the field, the dynamic sophomore has already picked up offers from major powers like Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Ohio State, Tennessee, and USC, just to name a few.
“I'm up to 14 offers right now and I'm hearing from quite a few other schools also,” he claimed. “Those schools are Oregon, Wisconsin, Notre Dame and West Virginia. There's some other schools that are planning on coming down after their bowl games, so I'm pretty excited about that.”
Even though he really doesn't know much about them at this point, the success the Irish have had on the season has definitely drawn his attention.
“I'm very interested in Notre Dame because they’re doing good things up there,” stated the dynamic running back. “They're the number one team in the country right now and getting ready to play for the national championship, so that's pretty exciting to see as a recruit.”
Seeing that his recruitment is flying off the charts at this point, the Florida prospect has already started to narrow down a few things he'll be looking for in a collegiate program.
“I'm looking for a place that has great academics and somewhere I can be comfortable at,” he explained. “I'm looking to play early, if possible, and make an impact on the field.”
What type of running back is Patrick?
“We run the I-formation at my school, so we wear you down and wear you down throughout the game,” shared. “I would say my biggest attribute on the field is my speed and the ability to break long runs at any moment.”
While the Timber Creek standout waits to see what other schools might come calling, he hopes that the Irish will throw their hat in the ring and extend a verbal offer soon.
“If Notre Dame ends up offering me, I definitely plan on trying to make a visit up there,” claimed Patrick. “I'd really like to check them out and see what they're all about.”
