2024 RB Nathaniel Palmer Intrigued by Notre Dame & Deland McCullough

2024 running back Nate Palmer‍ has become a hot name on the recruiting trail over the last few months after an electric sophomore season. The 5-foot-11, 180-pounder tallied over 1,100 total yards of offense and scored 11 touchdowns for College Station (Texas).

The Texas native will play his junior year at Decatur (Texas) as his father is expected to be on staff as former College Station head coach Steve Huff will takeover the Eagles program. 

Palmer’s big season has put him on Notre Dame running backs coach Deland McCullough's radar and the two have started to develop a relationship. 

"I've been talking with Coach McCullough lately,” Palmer told ISD. “We’ve probably talk twice a week over the last three weeks.

"We clicked right away. He started asking a few basic questions about how my family and how my grades were. He likes my film and we've clicked ever since." 

Palmer will be the first to admit he needs to do more research on Notre Dame, but he also has a significant tie to the Irish program. Irish safety Brandon Joseph played at College Station and the two players have stayed in contact over the years. 

"I don't know too much about it, but I do know a couple of things,” stated Palmer. “One of my family friends, Brandon Joseph, is from College Station. I'm really interested in finding out more about Notre Dame and building my relationship with the coaches there to see how much of an impact they can have on my recruitment.”

Baylor, Houston, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, USC, Utah, UTSA and Vanderbilt have already extended offers to Palmer, but he’s not letting the early attention get to his head. 

"It's cool, but I'm keeping my head down and grinding,” Palmer said. “I still have to do what I have to do at the end of the day." 

Speed is the first thing that pops out on Palmer’s film, but he’s not satisfied as he knows he can get faster. Palmer’s offseason work has focused on improving his speed and gaining strength. 

"I know I'm fast, but I've been trying to work on my speed and get my 40 time down,” explained Palmer. “I have long speed, but I've been in the gym lifting weights and trying to get all that stuff figured out." 

When it comes to spring visits, Palmer is planning to get out and about to a few schools, including Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and USC. 

The Trojans are another program that has his attention as they’ve not only offered, but Palmer has a connection with USC’s offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Josh Henson.

“I'm highly interested in them,” Palmer said. “Coach Henson moved from Texas A&M and went over there. We've been talking ever since then. His daughter goes to my school, so we talk day-to-day about USC. We have a lot of connections to USC, so we're highly interested in them." 

As for what Palmer is looking for in a future school, it comes down to relationships and who will mold him into a better man.

“I’m just looking to develop a person mentally and physically and as a man and football player,” Palmer stated. 

It’s also safe to say if Notre Dame does offer, the Irish would be a program that would have Palmer’s full attention. 

"That would be huge,” said Palmer. “It would be a blessing from God." 

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