2024 LB Sam Pilof Previews Notre Dame Trip

Jason Pertzborn tried to let colleges about Sam Pilof‍ a while back, when the Middleton High School head coach sent out film of the 2024 Wisconsin linebacker, but apparently they didn’t get the message.

Well, they’re getting it now.

The Middleton High School standout scooped up offers from Rutgers, Iowa State and Wisconsin this spring before adding Penn State last month as well.

He’ll be in South Bend on Tuesday for the Irish’s BBQ.

“I got invited to camp by Coach (Al) Golden and I couldn't make it out,” Pilof told Irish Sports Daily. “So, it kind of evolved from that and they contacted my coaches and they said they would like me to come visit.”

Pilof is excited about getting down and experiencing the “tradition” at Notre Dame.

“I don't know, there’s something about Notre Dame, it's different,” he said. “I'm definitely looking forward to seeing all the facilities and the field. I've always wanted to check out the field.”

He’s also planning return trips to Rutgers and Penn State later this week.

Pilof was fired up about landing the offers.

“It was really cool,” he said. “It was definitely a dream come true. It was really cool.”

For Pertzborn, it hasn’t been a shock to see the interest start flooding in.

“He's very quick twitch, he is fast,” the coach said. “He went out for track last year and now he is running ridiculous speed for his size. He is about 6-1, 6-2, 210 pounds and he was one of the top sprinters for us in the spring on the track team.

“If you watch his film, you can see right away how fast he plays and how relentless he is. As a freshman, we had some injuries and we brought him up and he played pretty well. And then last year, as a sophomore, he started for us and led the conference in sacks. When you watch his film, he just very, very athletic and physical.”

He’s a positive influence off the field as well, according to his coach.

“He's high energy all the time,” Pertzborn said. “He's always got the room up. He's always got guys excited. Our weight room energy has a lot to do with him and the way he carries himself. He likes to pal around with guys and motivate them and encourage them. He is obviously one of the biggest cheerleaders for everybody in that room.”

The Rutgers offer came in April and got things started before Iowa State offered after watching him work out.

“It's kind of accelerated from there,” the coach said. “He went to the Badgers’ camp and got offered there. He went out to Penn State to their camp and he got an offer there.

“Once Penn State and Wisconsin offered him, I think all the other schools started jumping on him.”

Notre Dame hasn’t offered yet, but it could get in the mix.

“I would think if he had already had it narrowed down, he wouldn't be coming take that visit,” his coach said.

As for Pilof, he’s looking for something very simple when it comes to a college.

“Just somewhere that feels like home.”

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