Irish Fan Ready To See ND As A Recruit
John Waggoner has been to Notre Dame multiple times in the past, but the 2018 Iowa defensive end’s trip this weekend will be different.
“As a kid, I was always a Notre Dame fan,” the 6-foot-5, 231-pounder explained. “I’ve been out there to see games with my family back in the day.”
But Waggoner has never been to South Bend as a recruit, which is what he’ll be this weekend.
“I’m going to be headed out Thursday night and the visit will be on Friday,” the Dowling Catholic standout said.
Waggoner, who has offers from schools like Iowa, Iowa State, Florida, Michigan, Oregon and UCLA among others, said he’s been texting with members of the Irish staff occasionally.
“They just kind of check in randomly sometimes,” he said. “They’ve kind of been in contact with me a little bit more often lately.”
Notre Dame sent the West Des Moines native its spring schedule and he found a date that worked.
“I thought I’d take advantage of it and go see Notre Dame,” he said.
Obviously, he has a good understanding of Notre Dame as a school and a football program.
“I know they’re an elite academic school, one of the best in the country,” he said. “I know they’ve got a really good football tradition. I’ve been a fan all of my life.
“I want to get interact more with the coaching staff and get a feel for the culture and all of that.”
An offer from Notre Dame could be a game-changer, but it wouldn’t be a game-ender.
“It’d mean a lot coming from the school I always rooted for as a kid,” He acknowledged. “But it’s not going to be the deciding factor. I’m still going to have a big decision to make whether they offer or not.”
Waggoner is already set to check out Ohio State the day after he visits Notre Dame.
And it doesn’t sound like he’s in a major rush to make a decision.
“I haven’t really thought about that too much,” he said. “For me, it’s once I know that’s where I want to be, that’s when I’ll make my decision. I don’t really want to put a timeline on it and put pressure on myself to make a rash decision.”
Getting the decision right is more important than getting to a decision.
“For me, it’s all about the culture that the coaching staff brings, the fit and the feel for me. If it feels like home then it feels like home.”
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