2022 LB Commit Tre Reader Recaps Latest Trip to Notre Dame

2022 Notre Dame linebacker commit Tre Reader‍ made his way back to his future home for the Blue-Gold Game and it couldn’t have gone better. 

The Berkeley Prep (Fla.) star wasn’t quite sure what Notre Dame had planned for him, but Reader quickly saw he was going to get more out of the visit than he expected. 

"It was an awesome experience,” Reader told ISD. “Chad (Bowden) and his whole team killed the weekend. They had the alumni back and connected all the recruits with those guys. I had a great time meeting the former players and hearing about their journey with life after football." 

Reader, a Tampa native, has already taken advantage of the Notre Dame connections as he’s started to shadow a former Notre Dame player. 

"I've gotten connected to Jack Shields, who lives in Tampa and played linebacker at Notre Dame,” stated Reader. “He runs a VC group. He's been so charismatic about me - he's let me shadow and learn from him. I've seen the ins and outs of his business and I'm not even enrolled yet, so it's amazing.

"It shows me Notre Dame is a place where they really take care of each other and the alumni network is really powerful. I knew that before, but last weekend, it really was doubled over on me a little more." 

Reader was also able to connect with Notre Dame's current NFL players over the weekend, which allowed him to have more meaningful conversations. 

"I was able to see Miles Boykin and that was really cool,” explained Reader. “He was with Drayk (Bowen) and I for a little bit. He was really cool and let us ask us any questions we wanted to know. He told us about his favorite moments at Notre Dame, but what was more impressive was him talking about how they set him up for life after he's out of the league. He's already ready to take steps off the field when that time comes. 

"It was cool to see a guy like him talking to all the recruits and being another one of the guys." 

The main reason Reader wanted to return to Notre Dame wasn't the Blue-Gold Game, but to get to meet his future teammates as several 2022 signees and 2023 commits were in town. 

"It's always great to meet my future teammates and everything,” Reader said. “It was a huge part of why I wanted to come up again. It's important to get that bond and connection started because that's what makes it so enjoyable and where the team's success comes from. It comes down to how close-knit you can get that group of guys. 

"I'm super excited to get with them this summer." 

The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder was also able to see Al Golden’s defense and while vanilla, Reader saw significant signs the Irish were trending in the right direction. 

"I know with the progression of the defense, they'll install more, but I thought everyone looked great,” Reader explained. “I saw what's important as guys were making effort plays, hustling to the ball and finishing strong. That's what it's all about when you can get guys to put that effort forward and everyone is playing 100 mph. That's when you have a great defense and that was evident. 

"I'm excited to learn from those guys next year and play alongside them."  

As the calendar turns to May, Reader has started to realize his dream of playing at Notre Dame is approaching quickly as he'll report to campus next month. 

"I'll be moving on  June 10th," said Reader. "I feel every day it becomes a little more real. I'm counting down the days to officially be an Irishman." 

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