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Notre Dame Football Recruiting

Isaiah Pryor Explains Why Notre Dame Is "The Perfect School For Me"

November 3, 2019
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In the end, it was a relatively easy decision.

Isaiah Pryor reached the end of the process on Sunday, announcing his commitment to Notre Dame following a second visit to South Bend in a matter of weeks.

The Irish coaching staff, Brian Kelly, Terry Joseph and Todd Lyght, were crucial in Pryor’s decision to choose Notre Dame after the talented safety prospect entered the transfer portal earlier this fall from Ohio State.

“I just feel like they made it really easy,” Pryor told Irish Sports Daily on Sunday. “I’ve known Coach Joseph, Coach Lyght, Coach Kelly and all of those guys for a while. I feel like the chemistry was already there and we were just building on a relationship that was already there.”

The relationships spread through the locker room as well with the former IMG Academy standout having been teammates with guys like Houston Griffith and Robert Hainsey earlier in his career.

“I was with the guys all of the time,” said Pryor, who mentioned he spent a lot of time with freshman safety Kyle Hamilton.

“Houston was my roommate at IMG. I was there with Rob. As far as the team, I feel like I’m already included. It’s more like a family.”

On the field, he feels comfortable with however the Irish staff decides to use him.

“Defensively, they’re going to incorporate me into whatever position they feel like they need to in order for us to be successful,” he said.

A graduate transfer, Pryor will have two years of eligibility left starting in 2020.

He took an official visit to Notre Dame for the USC game with his father a couple weeks ago and returned this weekend for the Virginia Tech game with his mother this time, making sure she was comfortable was the final piece of the process.

The academic opportunities at Notre Dame were major as well.

“Notre Dame is one of the most prestigious colleges as far as education with an incredible alumni base and the resources can only be matched by Ivy League schools,” said Pryor. “That along with football, being able to have the opportunity to play for a national championship every year, it’s like a perfect school for me to be honest.”

After being away from the game for more than a month now, Pryor can’t wait to get back on the field.

“I’m so excited,” he said. “I’m ecstatic, man. I really just can’t wait.”

He graduates from Ohio State on Dec. 15th and wants to get started in South Bend as soon as possible.

“I would like to get there to start practicing with the team before they go to a bowl, but if that’s not possible, then I’ll be there in January,” he said.

Pryor is happy with how everything worked out and grateful to have the experience he had during two-plus years in Columbus.

“Ohio State really gave me a lot of experience. It was a great experience, something that I wouldn’t take back for anything, especially have the opportunity to play for them, start and really know football and exactly what I need to do to get better.

“Competing every day against great athletes, I feel like I’m just going to be able to transfer that knowledge and experience to Notre Dame being that they’re losing so many seniors. I’m just excited to be there and be a leader to those guys.”

 

 
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