Chase Claypool Ready to Enjoy Final Moments in Notre Dame Stadium

Senior Day is always emotional and it will be no different for receiver Chase Claypool as the Irish host Boston College on Saturday afternoon. 

The 6-foot-4, 225-pounder will be greeted by his family on the field pregame and Claypool will probably take in the moment as it's been an incredible journey for the Abbotsford (British Columbia) native.  

"It's been a wild ride," stated Claypool. "I enjoyed every memory I've made in South Bend, in the stadium and on the road with my teammates. 

"It's surreal it's gone by so fast, but I'm enjoying every minute of it." 

Claypool and his classmates got off to a rough start as freshmen with Notre Dame finishing 4-8 in 2016.

However, it set the tone for a three-year run not many saw coming.

"Our expectations as a team are way higher than my freshman year," explained Claypool. "Coming in, I never expected that to happen. The way we rebounded shows the kind of people my teammates are and who the coaches are. We really took the steps to make the last few season memorable ones.

"I think it's important to finish this season the way we finished the last couple of seasons." 

Notre Dame isn't in the playoff race for the first time in two years heading into its 11th game, but the Irish do have a chance to get to double-digits wins for a third consecutive year.

"It's important to go through everything," Claypool said. "Obviously, that's not we preferred, but it happened. We're kind of thankful we were able to learn from such an adverse time."

Claypool admits he might not have understood the pain of 4-8 as a young player, but as he heads into his final game inside Notre Dame Stadium, he gets it.  

"It wasn't as hard for me as it was for the seniors who went through really good seasons.," Claypool explained. "That was my first season. I didn't have a huge role, so I really didn't know how to think about everything.

"Looking back, I understand how hard it would be." 

Notre Dame has counted on Claypool to produce this season and he has done just that as he's recorded 49 catches for 768 yards and nine touchdowns, including a four touchdown performance last week.

It hasn't been an easy season, but the Irish have started to play free the last couple of weeks and it's allowed for the offense to take off.

"I think we switched our philosophy from all business, getting the job done to just having fun and playing our game and playing free," Claypool said. "I think that's really showed on the field with how we celebrate with everyone the sideline and the energy in practice."

As for his last game at Notre Dame, Claypool will switch up how he watches the game.

"I'll probably watch the whole game from the sideline rather than on the jumbotron," said Claypool. "I usually sit on the bench with the guys and watch it on the jumbotron, but I'll probably just watch it in person."