2022 ATH Albert Kunickis Loves Visit to Notre Dame & Time with Lance Taylor
2022 Lemont (Ill.) athlete Albert Kunickis made his way to Notre Dame over the weekend and the 6-foot-3, 210-pounder enjoyed every minute of his time on campus.
"It was really cool being on the sideline and seeing the stuff the players do before the game,” Kunickis told ISD. “Seeing the locker room and being on the field for pregame walking around was a great experience. Everything was just phenomenal."
The Notre Dame fans also impressed Kunickis as the parking lots were filled with green when he arrived four hours before kickoff.
"It was amazing,” said Kunickis. “We got there extremely early and all the fans were dressed up in green, walking around at 10:30 am."
Kunickis also was able to meet with the Irish coaching staff before the game and was pleased to hear what running backs coach Lance Taylor had to say.
"When we were eating, I got to talk to Coach Taylor,” explained Kunickis. “He mentioned he and Coach Brian Kelly were talking about me the other day and watched my highlights. They would be open to me joining the team. They haven't made a final decision on it yet, but they will in October."
If Notre Dame did offer Kunickis the chance to walk-on, it wouldn’t come as a surprise to the Lemont star or those around him.
"It's just amazing,” Kunickis said. “I worked my tail off to get here. Everything I've put in has gone into this. I'm extremely grateful for it. All the work I've been putting in has been for this."
"I'm talking to other schools, but I'd put Notre Dame at the top for sure."
Kunickis starts at running back and kicker for Lemont and also plays defense. He’s hit field goals from 55 yards out and is a load to bring down with the ball.
And yes, Kunickis was born with a right arm that ends at his elbow, but if you think that prevents him from playing football at a high level, you’d be wrong as he put on one of the best camp performances I’ve seen at Tractions Midwest Showcase last spring.
"I always saw it as not wanting to be embarrassed when playing the sport I love,” Kunickis explained. “If I came out and played flat, then everyone would say that's what they expected, so it doesn't matter. That's what motivated me to put in the work and be better than everyone else."
Kunickis holds a 4.1 GPA, so it’s not a total shock to hear Northwestern is also a program that’s in the mix.
"October 16th, I'll be going to Northwestern vs. Rutgers,” said Kunickis. “That's it for now. I'm just hoping to hear back from Notre Dame.”
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