ND Checks Boxes For Graham

The boxes have been checked, but that doesn’t mean the process is over. 

Thomas Graham Jr. returned to Notre Dame on an official visit earlier this month and all of the reasons why the 2017 California cornerback has been interested in the Irish were confirmed.

“I enjoyed it,” Graham Jr. said. “Everything went as planned. 

“I got to see everything I already saw and then I got to see the game atmosphere I wanted to see. Basically, I checked off everything I wanted to see.”

The Rancho Cucamonga native was impressed with the atmosphere during Notre Dame’s game against Michigan State on Saturday night. 

“It was lit,” said Graham Jr. “I loved the fans. Even though they were losing 36-7, most of the fans would have already left, but they stayed to cheer on their players until the game was over.”

He also enjoyed his meetings with the Notre Dame coaching staff. 

“They were good,” he said. “They preached the same thing. Their young talent is going to have to come in and play early, but it’s basically up to you how much you want to play and also that it’s going to be a good thing and a bad thing. The good thing is you’re playing early, but the bad thing is you’re playing early and you have no experience and your body isn’t as developed.”

Graham Jr. and his family were impressed with presentation of then-defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder, but in the wake of VanGorder’s firing, we’re told the change will play virtually zero role in the California cornerback’s ultimate decision. 

Graham Jr. said the academic meetings were in a way “fun.”

“It was fun to find out the stuff that I found out,” he said. “I found out more stuff. It was fun to see that I can have fun when I get older outside of football. They said they would help me find out what I want to do academically.” 

He said he’ll probably lean toward studying Business.

“I want to own my own business,” he said. “I’ll probably have my business partner be my sister because she’s majoring in Business Marketing now at USC.” 

While Graham Jr. was joined by his father on his first trip to South Bend, this time he was accompanied by both parents and his mother was also impressed.

“She loved the academic stuff,” he said. “That’s kind of her role in the house.”

Graham Jr. said the visit answered all of his questions. 

“I found out everything I need to know,” he said. 

But what that means to Graham Jr. will remain with him until he’s ready to make his decision public.

“They stand up high on the board,” he said of the Irish. “I’m not going to say, ‘Oh, they’re number one.’ I’m not going to give any clues or anything like that. I want to announce it.” 

At this point, it looks like that announcement will come a week after his career at Rancho Cucamonga comes to a close.

He’s also taken an official visit to Nebraska. He’ll round out his official visits with trips to Arizona, Arizona State and Oregon.