Notre Dame Excited to Face Georgia in Sugar Bowl for Personal Reasons
Every Notre Dame football player was available to speak with the media on Monday morning in New Orleans, courtesy of the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
The Sugar Bowl did put eight players from each team at the podium for a little extra attention during session. Anthonie Knapp, Xavier Watts, Jack Kiser, Riley Leonard, Jordan Faison, Mitchell Evans, Howard Cross III and Jeremiyah Love.
For Knapp, a Georgia native, much of the conversation was centered on why he left the state and why the Bulldogs didn’t recruit him. It’s a thought Knapp has had all week as Marcus Freeman planted the seed when the page flipped from Indiana to Georgia.
“It's kind of funny because Coach Freeman was like, ‘It's personal this week,’” stated Knapp. “I'm like, ‘It's always personal, Coach.’ My offensive line coach, Coach Vincent Vance, who I have been training for five or six years now, actually played at UGA and was coached by Coach [Stacy] Searels.
“We had many connections there, but I remember Coach Searels walking in my head coach's office at Roswell High School and we were kind of talking and all this and whatnot. They never just bit on me. That was always my dream school growing up, so I just kind of a little chip on my shoulder. I don't know if it was a size issue or whatnot, but excited to play them now.”
Georgia did end up making a late run to see if Knapp had any interest, but the Notre Dame freshman didn’t bite.
“I remember they invited me to a camp,” said Knapp. “I didn’t really want to go to a camp. Notre Dame was my school. I love Notre Dame. As soon as I committed, that was my 100% school. I didn't want to go anywhere else. I wasn't about to go out for a camp for a non-guaranteed offer. I wouldn't switch it. I don't believe in committing and then uncommitting, doing schools like that. I don't think that's the right thing to do.”
Knapp is all-in on Notre Dame and those around him have supported the move despite being from the heart of SEC country.
“They supported me,” Knapp explained. “The offensive line program is notoriously pretty famous around here. I saw an opportunity. I thought I could take it. I wanted to be coached by the best. I want to be around the best. They all supported me, really. They didn't bat at an eye at it. They understood. Is it far? Is it cold? My dad is from Pennsylvania. My mom is from the Netherlands. So we are used to that cold weather. I was ready for it.”
When Notre Dame linebacker Jack Kiser takes the field on Wednesday, the Indiana native will be playing in his 68th game in the blue and gold, which is a program record and one that likely won’t ever be broken.
Kiser has been a staple in the Notre Dame defense and is one of the few players who has experienced the College Football Playoff as he was on the team that faced Alabama in the 2020 Rose Bowl.
The Notre Dame captain believes the playoff win over Indiana and Wednesday’s opportunity could be a big-time step in the right direction for the Irish program as a whole.
“I think it shows a new era of Notre Dame football, and showing that hopefully we'll be here to stay for a long time,” Kiser stated. “I was here in COVID and was able to be part of the four-team playoff, played a really good Alabama team. I think our program has elevated since then and become better in all different areas, but certainly on the field. And we're excited to carry the momentum from last week into this game.”
Kiser could have left for the NFL last year, but returned with several others who could have been draft picks for this moment. Each player made their own decisions, but the chance to make one final run.
“I think no one wanted to be the guy to pressure the other guys to come back or make the initial decision, right,” said Kiser. “But it was kind of conversations, like, hey, what are you thinking? What are you thinking about doing?
“It was nice being able to bounce pros and cons off other guys in a similar situation. But, yeah, if you look at especially the four older guys, Rylie, Howard, X (Xavier Watts) and I, we're a close group. And to be able to go through that together is -- it made the decision a lot easier.”
And there is no doubt the program is better than when he arrived, which means the world to Kiser.
“This was the number one reason I came back, right, to help Notre Dame get to something that hasn't been done in a long time,” explained Kiser. “I understand the history of Notre Dame and the players that have been here before and the coaches and all the names. And so to be a part of this history now and almost restart the cycle or help create a new era, it's something I'm going to carry with me for a long time. It's very rewarding.
“I think the cool part is I have been with the different head coaches. I have seen the transition. I have seen this new building being built, right, from the foundation up. And so it's cool to -- like, yeah, I was part of a start of something, and that's just a really cool feeling to have.”
The trip to New Orleans is special for many as the stakes are enormous, but for Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard, it’s even a little more meaningful. Growing up in Alabama, the Big Easy isn’t new to him, but he’s never been to the Superdome.
“A lot of history there,” Leonard stated. “A lot of history there with Katrina and all that. Growing up, it's this Mecca of the southern part of the country, and it's a special place. Drew Brees, one of my favorite players growing up, so it will be a lot of fun to step out there.
“Luckily, we'll have practice there today and tomorrow. It won't be like we're going in the first time. We'll understand the stadium a little bit before getting in there.”
Leonard is also looking forward to his teammates experiencing the Deep South.
“New Orleans is a very special place,” Leonard said. “Obviously, being a couple hours from here, I've experienced it, but a lot of these guys are from the Northeast, so for them to be able to come down here and enjoy the warmer weather than what we're used to, everybody is talking about how different street names are pronounced and beignets and all these special things about New Orleans. There's a lot of cool things and traditions here that we really appreciate.”
Notre Dame tight end Mitchell Evans and his family might be more familiar with Georgia than anyone in the program. Evans’ sister, Kacie, played volleyball at Georgia.
“When this game got announced after IU, there was a couple of text exchanges,” laughed Evans. “I get a little friendly banter from her side of the family -- or her fiance's side of family. It's great. It's fun.
“Yeah, she went to Georgia. She had a great career playing volleyball. I remember, I was in like seventh or eighth grade going on visits with her to Georgia, so I've been to Georgia football games. I was actually at the Georgia-Tennessee when Tennessee threw the Hail Mary and beat Georgia."
Evans has also leaned on his sister to get him through the ups and downs of being student-athlete at a high level.
“My sister is two years older than me, so she was playing college ball before I got here,” Evans explained. “Going from high school to Notre Dame is a big adjustment. This is tough. What do you do, so I was asking her.
‘Then when I was going through some tough times through injury and stuff, I leaned towards her, hey, like, who should I talk to? How should my mindset be? She was a good lead for that. So thankful for her for that and she always, on the flip side, or play big games, she's texting me, go kicks ass, show people who you are and stuff. She's been good for that. I'm really thankful for that.”
Want the latest scoop on the Fighting Irish? Sign up for our newsletter and become an ISD Premium Subscriber: Sign Up for ISD
Under Armour Notre Dame Fighting Irish Play Like A Champion Today All Day Raglan Fleece Hoodie
