2021 CB Chance Tucker Breaks Down Notre Dame Decision

In the end, Chance Tucker‍ says it was “a very close decision” between Notre Dame and Washington, but the relationships, the educational opportunities and the comfort he felt on campus and the surrounding area led the 2021 California cornerback to choose the Irish.

“I kind of went back and forth, but in the end, it was really the academic prestige of Notre Dame that made the difference,” the Crespi Carmelite High School star says.

“I also loved my connection with Coach (Mike) Mickens and Coach (Clark) Lea. I felt like they had a development plan to develop me to the best I can on and off the field.”

Tucker is confident in the Irish cornerback coach and defensive coordinator’s ability to get the most out of him on the field.

“I know they’re the type of guys who will push their players to be the best they can, challenging them and staying on top of them,” he says. “They’re going to push their players to reach their goals. They want their players to reach their goals as much as the players want to reach their goals.

“That’s kind of why I’m so attracted to them because I know they want the best for me and see my potential and will know how to get the best out of me.”

Despite a dead period being in place since the start of the COVID-19 crisis, Tucker and his father took it upon themselves to make visits to both schools early last month.

“Going on visits to both campuses really helped too,” he says. “I really liked the area and the campus Notre Dame has.

“I didn’t think I’d be able to make the decision without getting to the campus, which is exactly why we went out. I thought they were extremely helpful. They’re both two different cities and in the end, I just ended up liking Notre Dame more.

During the process, Tucker also had a chance to speak with successful businessman and Notre Dame alum Tom Mendoza, the namesake of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business.

“That was really special to me given that I want to major in Business,” Tucker explains.

He’s glad to have the recruiting process behind him.

“I’m relieved, but at the same time, I’m excited, so it’s kind of a mixture of both, but I know I made the right choice in the end,” he says.

Now, it’s on to his final high school season, which is scheduled to begin in early 2021 rather than this fall after the California Interscholastic Federation’s decision to push it back in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The move wasn’t a surprise to Tucker, who is grateful he’ll have the chance to play at all.

“I kind of expected it, so it wasn’t really a shocker,” he says. “I felt like they were going to push the season back, so when it happened, it was like, ‘OK, it’s back to working out at home.’ Everybody is going to have to adapt, just trying to control what I can control.

“We’d have rather had the season on time, but now that it’s pushed back, I can’t complain. At least we’re having a season. I’ve been working out with my personal DB coach Awan Diles.”