OL Commit Sam Pendleton On Notre Dame Visit| "I Don't Know What Else You Need.”

By Christian McCollum

November 7, 2022

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If you know much about Sam Pendleton‍, you know there has been no reason to doubt the strength of the 2023 North Carolina offensive lineman’s commitment to Notre Dame.

So, this past weekend’s trip back to South Bend for the Irish’s game against Clemson wasn’t in search of confirmation, instead it was more about anticipation for his time.

“It was great,” Pendleton told Irish Sports Daily about his return to campus. “I really enjoyed my time there. Probably one of the best games I've ever been to. The atmosphere was electric, night game obviously, and the crowd was crazy, so I really enjoyed it.”

As he watched his future team dismantle #4 Clemson 35-14, he was doing his best to envision being down there a year from now.

“It was almost surreal just being able to think that I'm going to be there in a couple months and be a part of what they're doing there,” he said. “I was really looking forward to it. It was just kind of a glimpse of what's to come.

“It was just really cool. I really enjoyed being there.”

Not that Pendleton needed it, but he believes the win is assurance of Marcus Freeman’s plan for the program.

“I just feel like it's more facts behind what Coach believes in and what he's doing there,” said Pendleton. “Everyone hears him talk about it and now, you see what he's been working towards and what has come from that.

“That's what I took from what he says to us and what he says to his players; you do all this work in the offseason and you do all this work in practice, we practice hard, you watch film. I feel like now everyone's seeing that come to fruition and I'm just super proud to be a part of what that's going to be in the future.”

Pendleton was excited to spend time with so many future teammates, especially his fellow offensive linemen.

“It was great,” he said. “I got to meet some guys I hadn't met before and it was just really great to be able to talk them in person instead of just over text or over the phone.

“All the o-line commits were there, so that was really cool to hang out with all those guys. They're hoots. I feel like we just really bonded well even over that short time we were there. It was really great.”

As for any commits who may not have been as solid as him, Pendleton has a hard time believing they aren’t solid now.

“I don't know anybody who was (wavering), but I'm sure if anyone was and if they were at that game, I don't know what else you need.”