2013 outside linebacker prospect Luke MacLean (Grand Blanc, Mich. / Grand Blanc) didn't know what to expect when he arrived in South Bend on Thursday for Notre Dame’s one-day camp, but by the time the day was done, he left a big fan of the University and its football program.
“It was great and I loved every aspect of the camp,” said MacLean. “I loved the campus and the coaching. There weren't a lot of kids there, so I was able to get a lot of coaching tips. It isn't like most of these camps were you go and there are 150 kids there, and even though it was smaller, there was still some really good competition there.”
According to the 6-foot-3, 235-pound prospect, the day turned out to be a great success going by the fact that he caught a couple Irish coaches’ eyes.
“I felt like I did really great,” claimed the Michigan standout. “We were up against a lot of good backs and some great quarterbacks who were throwing to those guys during one-on-ones. I also got to go up against some really good tackles and guards from a defensive end position, and I also did really well at that. I felt really good about my performance.
“After camp, I got to talk to recruiting coordinator Chuck Martin and he wants me to come down to as many games as I would like to this year and as many as I can fit in my schedule. I also got to talk to the linebacker coach (Bob Diaco) and he told me that I play with great power and agility out there on the field even though I'm so big. I ran my 40-yard dash at 4.74, which is my fastest so far this year, and he said it was a great time for someone who weighs 235 pounds and stands 6-foot-3.
“He said he liked how I look out on the field and he's looking forward to recruiting me. He said they're going to recruit me as an outside linebacker or hybrid defensive end type.”
For those of us who have yet to see him in action, he claims there are two words that say it all.
“If I had to describe my playing style I would have to say ‘fast and versatile,’” he said. “I fill the gap fast, I get in my pass drop fast, and I always want to be the first one there even if I'm going to the wrong place.
“This past year I played four to five different positions on our team which was inside backer, outside backer, defensive end, nose guard and I also blocked for special teams and the tight end position.”
Being from Michigan, you might think he'd feel the pressure to stay home and play for the Wolverines or Spartans, and that might happen, but definitely don't count the Irish out when it comes time for decision if they offer him.
“Being a sophomore going into my junior year, it's kind of hard to say right now who I favor,” he said. “I like both programs for different reasons, but I can say that Notre Dame is a program I could see myself at just by the feeling I got at camp.”
So what is it about Notre Dame that has him hooked?
“To tell you what I like about Notre Dame is going to be kind of hard to explain,” admitted MacLean. “The first thing I like is that it's small. I also like the fact that a degree from Notre Dame is very prestigious and compares very well to a degree from an Ivy League school. I like the fact that I can go play football at the highest level and still get a degree that's very prestigious.”
With camp now over and recruiting just getting started for him, the Grand Blanc star hopes that an Irish offer is not too far away.
“I’d love to be part of a program like Notre Dame,” he said. “When you think of the top schools for either football or education, Notre Dame is always up there with the best of them. It would be a great program to be a part of.
“I'm definitely going to try to get to as many games as I can this year."
