Gant Staying True to Himself

The recruiting process is an interesting time for high school student-athletes as one scholarship offer can lead to a future many kids can only dream of. With the process comes attention, hype and the world can seem like it’s in the hands of a high school athlete.

Many prospects change their personality during a recruitment. Some act like superstars, while it eats up other kids and they never live up to their potential.

Others are like 2018 St. John’s (Ohio) linebacker Dallas Gant. They mature and handle the process in stride. They stay true to themselves and understand the opportunity is what they make of it.

James Gant, the father of the four-star prospect, believes his son has dealt with the attention from schools like Notre Dame, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State and UCLA in a positive manner.

“He’s doing really well,” stated the elder Grant. “I think he’s enjoying it. His mom and I kind of watch to see if it’s overwhelming to him. I was talking to him on Wednesday about who is reaching out and who he has been talking to lately.

“His grades are good and his demeanor hasn’t really changed too much. We’re very comfortable where he is and how he has handled everything to this point."

Gant has remained calm and collected during his process, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t pressure. The Toledo native lives almost directly in the middle of four of the Midwest’s top programs and there is definitely pressure on him to stay home to play for Urban Meyer.  

“No doubt there is a ton of Ohio State fans around and all that,” Gant stated. “He’s the kid that stays level-headed. Dallas takes everything in and processes it. He processes information really well and he’s going to go through a process with his mom and I. He will figure it out.”

Does Gant feel that pressure? It’s very likely he does, but he also isn’t the type of kid to be pressured into a decision.  

“I’ll tell you that he is the kind of kid that will take everything and compartmentalize everything,” explained his father. “It will be a decision that he will be confident in. He won’t be pressed by anyone, hopefully.”  

The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder carries himself in a manner more mature than most of his peers, so it’s not a surprise Gant is also thinking in terms of the big picture when it comes to his recruitment.

“I’m really glad he is fully engaged in the process and going with it,” Gant explained. “Obviously, education is going to be a really big factor. Football will only last for so long. What are the advantages of going to school to help him further his education and be a great professional? That’s going to play a role.

“I’ll be honest with you, Dallas and how well he has done in school and his attitude, we really believe he will be successful that way no matter what he decides from that perspective.”

Don’t think Gant isn’t taking his football future into account, as he has Brian Kelly, Mark Dantonio, Jim Harbaugh, James Franklin and Meyer checking in with him.

However, the glitz and glamor of the attention from head coaches aren't factoring into his decision.  

“I think the biggest key for him in my mind is going to be getting to know some of these coaches, the players and building relationships to see where he fits best at,” Gant said. “I really think it boils down to that.

“He would love to play as soon as possible like any kid, but I would imagine that will be part of his process as well. I don’t think there is any one determining thing that will help other than the fact of how well he fits in. That’s going to be him deciding that and kind of going from there.”

Notre Dame hosted Gant for Irish Invasion and twice for games during the fall. While Gant didn’t get to see an Irish victory, he isn’t worried about the future of the program.

“That’s why we are pretty excited about the trip this weekend,” explained Gant. “They’ve been really good. I was really happy that we heard from them. Coach (Clark) Lea and Coach (Mike) Elko reached out quickly and that made us feel really good. They’ve been in touch and they have treated us well.”  

Gant has seen the football side of Notre Dame. He’s seen game day. He’s seen the campus. Now it’s time for him to gel with the players, commits, coaching staff and see if he can feel at home under the dome.

“Frankly, we’ve been to Notre Dame a few times,” said Gant. “We really talked about trying to make this experience a little bit different because we have done the tour and seen it all.

“We’re really looking forward to sitting down with the coaches and getting Dallas with some of the players and some of the other 2018 commits to see how he fits in.”