2026 OL Tyler Merrill Recaps Latest Notre Dame Stop
After two visits to Notre Dame last year, Tyler Merrill was back in South Bend on Saturday.
“We got to drive around campus, get the whole spiel,” the 2026 Pennsylvania offensive lineman said. “We got to sit in on meetings and watch practice, do all that; sports nutrition, strength training, the usual at a spring visit. I had a great time.”
Merrill, who picked up an offer from the Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, enjoyed seeing campus again.
“It was very beautiful,” the 6-foot-5, 315-pounder said. “It was me and my mom, so she got to see it for the first time. She loved it. I got to see a little bit more of campus. I think it's awesome.”
Merrill also enjoyed sitting in on Irish offensive line coach Joe Rudolph’s position meeting.
“It's definitely cool,” he said. “It's fun watching Coach Rudolph do his thing and watch his guys listen to him and see how they apply it to practice. It was definitely interesting.”
Merrill described Saturday’s practice as “intense.”
“D-line/o-line, DBs/wide receivers, those guys are going at it,” he laughed. “It was getting a little scrappy towards the end, but it was fun to watch.”
In addition to Rudolph, Merrill was able to speak with Rob Delaney, Mike Denbrock, Marcus Freeman and other staff members.
“They're big on my character,” the Cumberland Valley High School standout said. “They said they really love my character and loved my values. The things that I care about align with their program and that's why they really want me to come down there to South Bend and play for that team. They really like how I approach the game of football; working hard, but still having fun. That's what I'm all about too. So I'm glad those things align.”
Merrill also has offers from schools like Penn State, Pittsburgh, Michigan, Ohio State, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Texas A&M and Alabama among many others.
He’s excited to continue growing his relationship with Rudolph and the other Notre Dame coaches.
“Coach Rudolph really emphasized, 'Hey man, go see other places so you really know what to compare us to and see what you like and what's best for you,'” Merrill said. “He said it himself, he said, 'I want you to go to the place that's best fit for you. And if it's not here, it's not here.' But if it's here, he said he'd gladly have me come. He thinks I'd fit perfectly in this program.”
Merrill visits Michigan on Sunday and then heads to Duke next weekend.
He’ll be back in South Bend, but doesn’t have anything locked in just yet.
“I'll look to see about maybe going to the end of July when they have that BBQ thing. I'll definitely be back in the fall.”
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