Notre Dame Football Recruiting
MacCollister Finds Out Position on Visit to Notre Dame
December 14, 2016
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2017 Bishop Moore (Fla.) defensive end Jonathon MacCollister committed to Notre Dame before Irish Invasion in June, but returned to campus last weekend on a visit for the Echoes '16. It gave the 6-foot-4, 225-pounder a chance to remind himself of why he committed to the Irish over the summer.
“It was amazing,” MacCollister told Irish Sports Daily. “I loved every second I was back. I even enjoyed the snow. That was my first time seeing snow like that. I had seen it snow for a little bit before, but I had never seen it like that.
“I got to see a little more of the student life, because there were students on campus this time. I got to see the awards ceremony and that was pretty cool.”
The three-star prospect was joined on this trip by his father, who equally enjoyed the trip despite the cold weather.
“My dad came up again, but my brothers are sick, so my mom couldn’t make the trip up,” explained MacCollister. “I think he definitely enjoyed it and really liked it a lot.”
MacCollister wasn’t the only commit on campus, so it was a chance to meet some of the members his recruiting class. The 2017 class is a close one, so it wasn’t a surprise the commits hit it off right off the bat.
“It was amazing seeing all the guys,” MacCollister stated. “As soon as we all got to campus, we were hitting each other up to see where everyone was at. It was awesome to hang out with the guys again.
“We definitely have a bond already. I think it will be good for us. I already feel like they are my brothers and we haven’t even stepped on campus for real yet.”
“I got to see Parker (Boudreaux) while I was up there too,” said MacCollister. “He told me you have to stay strong and stick it out. College is going to be tough at times, but it will be worth it and they have the support in place if you need it.”
One of the highlights for the Florida native was getting a chance to sit down with Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly, who kept the conversion pretty casual.
“I talked to Coach Kelly for a little bit,” MacCollister explained. “We sat down and he asked what sports I am playing after football and stuff like that. It was a really good talk.”
MacCollister said the two didn’t talk about the rumors and speculation that has surrounded the program for the last few weeks, but the conversation was focused on himself.
“I really didn’t ask him about that stuff,” MacCollister said of the negative noise. “I thought if it was something, then he would have brought up and then we would address it. We talked about me personally more than him.”
Kelly wasn’t the only coach MacCollister spent an extended period of time with over the weekend. Defensive line coach Keith Gilmore made plenty of time available to talk to his future defensive end and cover where he sees the Bishop Moore star fitting in next fall.
“He told me what position they want me at on the defensive line and they want me at rush end,” said MacCollister. “I see it as on opportunity to play a more athletic role. I think I can definitely succeed there and if not, I can always go to strong side, but I like the plan a lot.
“I am 225 right now. We came to an agreement that I would try to come in around 245 in the summer.”
“It was amazing,” MacCollister told Irish Sports Daily. “I loved every second I was back. I even enjoyed the snow. That was my first time seeing snow like that. I had seen it snow for a little bit before, but I had never seen it like that.
“I got to see a little more of the student life, because there were students on campus this time. I got to see the awards ceremony and that was pretty cool.”
The three-star prospect was joined on this trip by his father, who equally enjoyed the trip despite the cold weather.
“My dad came up again, but my brothers are sick, so my mom couldn’t make the trip up,” explained MacCollister. “I think he definitely enjoyed it and really liked it a lot.”
MacCollister wasn’t the only commit on campus, so it was a chance to meet some of the members his recruiting class. The 2017 class is a close one, so it wasn’t a surprise the commits hit it off right off the bat.
“It was amazing seeing all the guys,” MacCollister stated. “As soon as we all got to campus, we were hitting each other up to see where everyone was at. It was awesome to hang out with the guys again.
“We definitely have a bond already. I think it will be good for us. I already feel like they are my brothers and we haven’t even stepped on campus for real yet.”
He told me what position they want me at on the defensive line and they want me at rush end.
While on the visit, MacCollister also got to catch up with a star from his high school. “I got to see Parker (Boudreaux) while I was up there too,” said MacCollister. “He told me you have to stay strong and stick it out. College is going to be tough at times, but it will be worth it and they have the support in place if you need it.”
One of the highlights for the Florida native was getting a chance to sit down with Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly, who kept the conversion pretty casual.
“I talked to Coach Kelly for a little bit,” MacCollister explained. “We sat down and he asked what sports I am playing after football and stuff like that. It was a really good talk.”
MacCollister said the two didn’t talk about the rumors and speculation that has surrounded the program for the last few weeks, but the conversation was focused on himself.
“I really didn’t ask him about that stuff,” MacCollister said of the negative noise. “I thought if it was something, then he would have brought up and then we would address it. We talked about me personally more than him.”
Kelly wasn’t the only coach MacCollister spent an extended period of time with over the weekend. Defensive line coach Keith Gilmore made plenty of time available to talk to his future defensive end and cover where he sees the Bishop Moore star fitting in next fall.
“He told me what position they want me at on the defensive line and they want me at rush end,” said MacCollister. “I see it as on opportunity to play a more athletic role. I think I can definitely succeed there and if not, I can always go to strong side, but I like the plan a lot.
“I am 225 right now. We came to an agreement that I would try to come in around 245 in the summer.”
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