2021 Notre Dame Signee Chance Tucker Fired Up for Senior Season

2021 Notre Dame signee Chance Tucker‍ has waited a long time for this moment. 

The 6-foot-1, 185-pounder will finally return to the field on Saturday as Crespi (Calif.) will travel to Calabasas to open the California high school football season. 

"I never really doubted that we were going to have at least some type of season, whether it was three games or a full season," Tucker told ISD. "I kind of knew the whole time we were going to have at least a few games.

"When it did come, we were all stoked and we're focused to give it our all, especially the seniors since it's our last go." 

While it was frustrating not to play this fall, Tucker has embraced the spring season. In fact, the ISD four-star prospect is looking at it as a positive. 

"I'm looking at it as a nice opportunity to get better for Notre Dame," explained Tucker. "It's another year of development and experience. I'm going to be able to also get in shape. I think that it's going to be good straight from the season into Notre Dame. 

"It's been a good year of gaining weight, getting faster, lifting and training." 

Tucker has developed physically, but also in some of the finger areas of the cornerback position since the last time he took the field. 

"I was trying to improve my press coverage and being more of a hands-on defensive back and not opening the gates to the receivers," stated Tucker. "I worked on my lateral movement.

"I have definitely improved in my press coverage. I'm more confident. I feel much bigger and faster than last year. Everything is going well." 

Tucker is also looking forward to meeting his future defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman in a few months when he arrives in South Bend. 

"I haven't talked to him much, but I did FaceTime him," Tucker said. "He's very intelligent and I knew Notre Dame was going to get the best replacement for Coach Lea. I feel like Coach Freeman is the best replacement. I'm pretty excited."

Cornerbacks coach Mike Mickens has remained in consistent contact and he's been teaching Tucker the Irish defense over Zoom. 

"I talk to him every week," Tucker stated. "We've started to do more Zooms and installing some of the base defense, so when I get there, I'm not behind."

Yes, Tucker is learning the Notre Dame defense while mastering Crespi's defense. It might sound challenging, but that's exactly what Tucker craves. 

"I wouldn't say it's easy, but I wouldn't say it's hard," said Tucker "It's what I want. I wouldn't want to go there and be behind. I'm getting a good grasp of it."