BREAKING | 2022 TE Jack Nickel Commits To Notre Dame
Jack Nickel surely would have had more opportunities come his way, but the 2022 Georgia tight end already had the opportunity that fit him best.
That’s why Nickel just announced his commitment to Notre Dame.
“For me, it checks every box,” says Nickel, a four-star prospect who also had offers from schools like LSU, Penn State, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan State, Nebraska, Florida State, Miami and Oregon among several others.
“The combination of football and academics is really second to none. The history they have with the tight ends, it’s Tight End U. I have a great relationship with the coaching staff, so that just checks all three boxes that I’m looking at.”
The Milton High School standout landed his offer from the Irish back in May from new Notre Dame tight ends coach John McNulty, who quickly cemented a relationship.
“I’d heard great things about him,” Nickel said of McNulty. “All of my conversations with him have all gone well.”
Notre Dame recruiting coordinator Brian Polian also played a pivotal role.
“The same thing,” said Nickel of Polian. “I think he’s really knowledgeable and helped me a lot with the recruiting process.
“Those are the two guys I’ve been talking to. I have a great relationship with both of them.”
Nickel did a swing through the Midwest earlier this month, stopping at Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Iowa, Purdue and Ohio State, which had also shown a great deal of interest. Even though he couldn’t be toured around by any staff members because of the dead period instituted in response to the COVID-19 crisis, he got a feel for each of the campuses.
He was in South Bend last fall for the USC game and got a taste of the atmosphere inside Notre Dame Stadium.
“I just think it has everything I want from the tight end side of it,” he said. “Notre Dame is just different than most places. The academic side is really what sets it apart. I just feel like it’s more of a family atmosphere than other schools. I really like that.”
Nickel gives Notre Dame its second commitment in the Class of 2022 after offensive lineman Joey Tanona announced his pledge on Saturday. Nickel says he plans on doing his part to make the class a stellar one by recruiting other top prospects, especially ones in the South.
Jack Nickel Makes Parents Proud With Notre Dame Decision
Rankings:
ISD: 90 (four-star)
Composite: 89.02 (four-star), No. 12 TE, No. 25 player in Georgia
247: 91 (four-star), No. 24 TE, No. 31 player in Georgia
Rivals: 5.7 (three-star)