New Notre Dame OL Commit Ty Chan | I Felt It In My Heart

Ty Chan‍ is the kind of kid who isn’t going to be satisfied until he’s the best, which is why the 2022 Massachusetts offensive lineman works so hard – on and off the field – and why he’s positioned himself for such a great chance of success.

But Chan, who announced his verbal commitment to Notre Dame on Thursday, doesn’t take all of the credit.

The Lowell, Mass., native was blessed with the opportunity to transfer to prestigious Lawrence Academy before last season.

“Lawrence Academy has brought me a lot of great things in my life and definitely a lot of happiness,” says Chan. “I went to a public school before and a lot of things were different there. I’m very grateful for how Lawrence Academy has accepted me into their community and really supported me in everything I do.

“They’re really great people. They’re always looking out for me, especially when I boarded. I felt like all of the teachers made a strong bond with me. There was not one teacher I didn’t know personally and have a good connection with. They helped me get where I am today. I’m very grateful.”

Chan has trouble coming up with the words to explain his gratitude for Lawrence Academy head coach Jason Swepson.

“He’s the best,” says Chan. “There’s really no way to describe how I feel about him. He’s a great man. I’ll always respect what he’s done for me and the things he’s brought into my life. Lowell doesn’t really have the greatest of opportunities. For him to recruit me and bring me into that life, I’m very grateful for it.”

So, it’s no surprise that coaching played a big role in Chan’s college decision and Irish offensive line coach Jeff Quinn had a major impact.

“I feel like I trust him the most,” Chan says of Quinn. “We’ve built a good friendship over the last couple months.

“He’s nice. He’s a really real and honest person with me. When we first talked, we talked about how we both come from cities and we’re blue-collar, we’re hard-working people. I really just want to be a part of what he’s done at Notre Dame and just be a player who will succeed in his system.”

The tradition of Notre Dame Football was a huge factor as well as the academic opportunity in South Bend.

“Obviously, football is a really important thing for me and I will give it my 100 percent effort, but if there’s something that I can get out of this for me after my football life, having a good degree and being able to start my family with a good job is important as well to me,” says Chan, who hasn’t decided on his major yet.

He said he’s “super-excited” to become a part of the Notre Dame family.

“When I was getting down to my decision, I really just envisioned myself being in the jersey and playing there and being a part of that and how it’s going to feel,” he says. “From then on, I wanted to make my decision official.”

Chan had the opportunity to take early visits to both Boston College and Penn State, but couldn’t get to Notre Dame because of the dead period instituted in response to COVID-19. That din’t matter in the end.

“Those were the three I had in mind,” says Chan. “I just felt like it was a no-brainer. I already knew how I felt in my heart and that I wanted to commit to Notre Dame.”