2026 OL Gregory Patrick Enjoys Notre Dame Return

Gregory Patrick‍ returned to South Bend on Saturday for Notre Dame’s home win over Miami-Ohio.

“It was really fun,” the 2026 Michigan offensive lineman said. “I had an awesome time.

“The atmosphere was great. I really enjoyed the fans. They were really good. That was an awesome part of it.”

Notre Dame is one of nine schools the 6-foot-5, 275-pounder listed as a finalist over the summer along with Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Alabama. 

Patrick, who has made multiple trips to Notre Dame over the last year, acknowledged the Irish’s slow start, but was impressed with their overall performance.

“They were able to run the ball pretty effectively and that was good to see,” he said. “Overall, they just played a good game. Miami of Ohio is a tough team. 

“I thought the offensive line played really well. It is also hard when you have to play three new kids essentially since they lost their tackle in fall camp and then they lost their two other guys. That's not an easy ask for a guy to just hop in right away and play a game. But they played really well. Those guys do have some experience, which helps, but they played pretty well.”

The Portage Northern High School standout was able to speak with Irish offensive line coach Joe Rudolph and head coach Marcus Freeman.

“I had some really good conversations with them,” he said. 

He had the chance to speak with Rudolph before the game and get some insight into how the Irish had prepared.

“We were mostly talking about my season and how my season's been going and also we were talking about their season and the game, asking about what Miami of Ohio does and some of the stuff that they were going to see that game,” he said. “It was fun talking to him.

“Miami of Ohio did what Notre Dame expected. They played a really heavy five-technique. That allows your linebackers to stay free, especially on gap scheme. That's something that they did during the game. That's something that's hard. I've seen it before. Miami of Ohio had a good plan, but obviously Notre Dame had to adjust and that's what they did.”

Patrick was encouraged by the type of preparation.

“They were able to also protect Riley Leonard really well too,” he added. “They were able to pass protect really well, which that's really big in today's game, so that was also a good thing to see.”

Patrick is looking at possibly returning to South Bend for another game and maybe very soon.

Maybe get back down for another game. We were talking about possibility of that, so it;s good catching up with him all the time.

“Louisville maybe,” Patrick laughed. “I know it's actually next week, but if I'm free. I don't that for sure or anything. But maybe later the season, like Florida State too would be another good one.”

Patrick’s interest in the Irish remains high.

“I have a lot of interest in Notre Dame. They're definitely a school that's close to home and they value a lot of things that I do, what I'm looking for in a school. I have a lot of interest in them and we'll keep trying to take visits when we're free.”

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