MacCollister Recaps "Amazing" Visit To ND
“It definitely lived up to my expectations,” MacCollister said of the trip. “It was amazing and it was more amazing than I thought it would be.
“My favorite part was just going around the campus and seeing how beautiful it is. It felt like a home. I loved getting to talk to the coaches too.”
MacCollister was patient and didn’t immediately commit when he got to campus like 2018 quarterback Phil Jurkovec a few weeks ago, but he waited for a chance to tell head coach Brian Kelly face to face.
“Once I got to campus I knew I was going to commit when I was walking around,” stated MacCollister. “I waited till the end of the day, because I wanted to tell Coach Kelly in person. He was ecstatic and so excited. He gave me a big hug and started hugging my mom.
“My mom fell in love as soon as she got on campus. She was very emotional the entire day and was crying a little bit. My parents absolutely loved it. They are a little sad because I am far away from home, but they know I will be taken care of. Coach Kelly told her he would take good care of me, so she loved that.”
The three-star prospect also made the trip to Notre Dame to compete at Irish Invasion on Saturday night. During the camp, MacCollister got a chance to get some extended work with his future position coach Keith Gilmore.
“It was awesome,” said MacCollister. “I got to see what kind of coach he is and what type of man he is. It got me really excited to play for him.
“I loved how he coaches. When I messed up, he would tell me in a way I could understand. He taught me a lot of things during the camp like some more pass rush moves. I think he will help me turn into a better player.”
The academic side of Notre Dame was something MacCollister and his parents wanted to see up close and personal. The family had heard and knew there was a lot to like about the academics at Notre Dame, but they left South Bend very comfortable with the entire academic program after talking with Academic Counselor Adam Sargent.
“Talking to Sargent I learned they are there to help me succeed,” explained MacCollister. “They are going to put academics first, even though it’s a football driven community, but they are going to do the best to make you a man.”
Up next for MacCollister will be setting up an unofficial visit to see a game this fall, as he plans to take his official visit after his football season.
“I will get back for a game this fall and I plan on taking my official visit after the season,” said MacCollister. “I definitely will go to the game in Jacksonville, so I will be going to that one too.”